Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Day is Done

Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh

Our property backs up to a Bible Camp that various groups rent out. There is one group that comes every year. If you pay attention, at 10pm every evening,when this group is there, you can hear someone playing taps. What a wonderful way to end the day. Day is done, day is done.

Status



Lung surgery on July 12, singing in the band July 30.















Enjoying He'brew Genisis Ale, The Chosen Beer.
The girls are gone this week and we are busy. I'm back to work, obviously the man is feeling good, painting the deck, attending meetings, singing. My plans to go to the Gee's Bend exhibit yesterday were foiled by my own lack of attention. Life is back in the fast lane.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Gone



Remember this post? Last week it was still standing. The outside wall had fallend down during a storm a few months ago. But as I walked the route this week, I discovered it had been destroyed by fire. I do not know what the circumstances were. I am saddened. There is a small cabinet right inside the door, somewhat intact, that held Audrey's books and toys, crocheted finger puppets, paper dolls, and more. I'm sure they were still there. A part of her life, a part of mine, gone. I will call Janis to make sure everyone is ok. To let her know I miss her. There will always be a place in my heart for my experiences and my friendship with these people.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Summer Reading List

The Stones Applaud, How Cycstic Fibrosis Shaped My Childhood - Teresa Anne Mullin
Colored People, a Memoir - Heny Louis Gates, Jr.
The Time of Our Singing - Richard Powers
The Memory Keeper's Daughter - Kim Edwards
Complete Feltmaking - Gillian Harris

Some typical brain laxative mysteries


But when I found this book, Gilead - Marilynne Robinson , I opened up and read the first paragraph. I was hooked. It only got better:

"I really can't tell what's beautiful anymore. I passed two young fellows on the street the other day. I know who they are, they work at the garage. They're not churchgoing, either one of them, just decent rascally young fellows who have to be joking all they time, and there they were, propped against the garage wall in the sunshine, lighting up their cigarettes. They're always so black with grease and so strong with gasoline I don't know why they don't catch fire themselves. They were passing remarks back and forth the way they do and laughing that wicked way they have. And it seemed beautiful to me..."

It goes on, lovely. I'm only a few pages in and it has struck a chord in me.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Another thing added to my Summer List

Check out this link
I'm definitely going.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

The Story of Our Days


Monday was Audrey's birthday. She had been out the night before to a concert where some of her friends were playing. She then spent the night at another friend's house, whose parents let her choose what she wanted for breakfast. She got donuts, scrapple and bacon. Mmmmm. Her Grandmommy and Aunt picked her up at the meeting point and brought her home to us, where I had presents and had made cupcakes. After the initial hoopla was over, including some cards for MHP, she showered, got on the computer and was promptly bored. She even said next summer she does not want to be home at all. Just put a knife through my heart. Of course, she did not mean it that way. Yesterday came on the heels of 10 days in Italy and 6 days in New York, friends, and a concert. I know what she meant but it made me think.
We are a family that has many opportunities. I believe in taking advantage of them and that the ones we have taken have enriched our lives. We've done a small bit of travelling, due to the generousity of my Father in law, but we have a lot of experiences that are priceless. Deciding to feed a homeless shelter for a birthday, gatherings with family, learning something new, the various work trips that are available to my children through church, free concerts in communities, camping with friends, our children's involvements in school, having fun together, but mainly leaving ourselves open to experience something new.
This week is a week of different opportunities. Today alone, we had 9 visitors. We hardly ever have visitors! We have a fridge full of food. I knit away while we watch movie after movie. I've read two books. I've even started hanging my laundry outside again. This is a time of renewal, of slowing down, of taking time, taking stock, and taking care of one another. Even Audrey has finally caught on and took a nap while the tv droned on and the phone rang beside her. She did not even twitch. Ahhh.
I will post soon on my Italian Holiday and my Back to Camp. In the meantime, take a moment, read a book, sit outside and wave to those who drive by, start a new project, finish an old one, or just enjoy the nothingness.
The photo is of My Handsome Prince in his new throne, a motorized recliner that assists him in and out, along with the puppy that won't leave him alone. She even follows him ever so slowly into the bathroom and ever so slowly out and back into the chair.

Friday, July 13, 2007

Wanting Contact

A year or so ago, I went for a massage. One of my class participants gave me a gift certificate for a massage, someone I did not know very well. It was a very kind and generous gift. One of the things that struck me the most about the massage was the fact that the woman prayed over me. It was not quite silent, but whispered. I don't know what she prayed for but it was over me. It was a very moving experience.



On Wednesday, before I left camp and at the last group gathering, I was helped up onto a chair in the center of the room. Then everyone in the room circled me and layed their hands upon me. Those who could not, touched those in front of them. I took a moment to actually look at everyone, to see those who were touching me, praying for me. Then the prayers started, very simple, safe journey, healing, strength. The most amazing part was my body was humming, there was energy flowing from the hands into me. Just as soon as it started, it was over. I don't know if I will ever experience anything like that again. It was amazing.



I'm not one of those evangelistic people. I'm fairly quiet in my faith, still questioning, still searching. But love exists and is an amazing power. Believe.



I am willing - lay your hands on me
I am ready - lay your hands on me
I believe - lay your hands on me, over me
over me
Lay your hands on me
Lay your hands on me
Lay your hands on me, over me
Peter Gabriel

Good News

I arrived home late Wednesday night after 5 days of Christian youth camp. I am so far removed from my ordinary life that it is not funny. Dinner and a glass of wine, small conversation with My Handsome Prince about the next day, comparing camp stories with Emma, early to bed. Thursday morning arrived despite my wish to completely skip over it. We left the house before 6am, Big Dad taking us to Johns Hopkins Hospital. Once again, in pre-op, we received scary information about extra tubes, in his neck, down his throat for 24 hours, in his back...Surgery came and went with only one extra surprise, another small nodule not found in any scans. It was removed. Still, a little extra tearing of his lung, due to the previous lung resection, possible longer hospital stay, yada, yada. Well, so far, it's been quite the opposite. His pain has been managed so much better, no extra tubes, telling us what we need to do to get his prescription for his hospital chair, giving the nurse a hard time, being his usual PIA. He called me this morning to let me know he's feeling ok, no nauseau so far, and moving out of ICU soon. YES! I still will be removed from ordinary life, but it is all good.

Friday, July 06, 2007

We are Home




We arrived home last night from a whirlwind trip to Italy. I leave tomorrow morning, bright and early for Bethany Beach. Audrey leaves Sunday afternoon for her trip to New York with the Youth Group. Pat and Emma will be home by themselves for a few days before surgery on Thursday. I will post when and if I can. Ciao, Ciao! (I love saying that!)

Girls shopping in Sorrento.