April 5 2016

April 5 2016 Greetings My Friend We knew she was going to go through surgery with flying colors when she feebly attempted to kid with us as she was being prepared. Boogie is an 84 years old very frail lady. She had taken a nasty fall and bumped her head on the way down, breaking her shoulder. Junior and I went to be with Debbie, Boogie’s daughter because there is no one else in the family to help them. They are dependent on each other both having major health issues. They are a team like I have not seen much of in my life. When it is time to cook they each work together, one peeling while the other gets the ingredients together. One cooks while the other prepares another piece of the meal. They are lost without the other. After much trial Debbie got an ambulance to come and take her mom to the hospital. She texted me about what was going on and I forwarded the message to the prayer chain, my friends who pray on Facebook and attempted to keep everyone up to date on Boogie’s progress. It was late at night, Junior had taken his medication so driving would not be a great idea. I can’t see at night we waited until morning. When we were up and around we headed off to the hospital and sat there with Debbie for a few hours. We learned Boogie’s surgery was going to be the next day we went home only to come back the next day. Boogie went into surgery around noon and was finished around 3:00. We had lunch, waited, played on our tablets, called people and finally word came that surgery was finished and Boogie came through with flying colors. Debbie and I talked on and off. Once more I am learning to not rely on our children to be around when we need them in our older years. Debbie never had children so we talked about how God provides the help we need when we need it. I sense we may be Boogie and Debbie’s assist and they may be ours as our needs arise. I have used Debbie a few times already for the womanly input I needed in a few situations. She gives me Godly counsel and I appreciate it. When we arrived at the hospital the first day the first question Boogie had was how I was doing with a certain situation I was dealing with. Her pain was major but she focused on me, I was amazed she could even think straight about this conversation. The “other” focus allowed her to forget her pain for a moment. During the 2 days I brought up the details of my latest findings with ataxia and chiari. For a little bit the change in conversation allowed Boogie to let go of her pain and she engaged me in the conversation. Boogie and Debbie live near Junior and I. I still call Michele B and Marilyn my good friends from Michigan. Now I talk with my new friends too. As a woman I need to have conversations so I can sort out what I need to hang onto and let go of what I need to. These women give me that opportunity and I am ever grateful for their love. I also am a sounding board for my friends. I am amazed at how God provides and I have exactly what I need. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet