Sally's Update

Sometimes a picture really does tell all that needs to be said!

We are so thankful for Sally's miraculous recovery. We love you Mom! And we will never stop thanking our God for his healing touch on your life and our hearts!

Life Lessons

My own children are all nearly grown and out of the house. I can not tell you the number of tears I have shed, feeling my cherished role as their parent was coming to an end. I was wrong; I have learned from my dear MIL that a parents' influence lives on in the hearts of her children long after they become adults! As I have watched my MIL go through the health crisis of the past six weeks, I have seen the impact she still has on the lives of those she loves. Decades have passed since her last baby left the nest and still, as we stood by her bedside, we continue to learn some mighty important life lessons.

We have observed and been challenged by her persistent faith. From the first moment she lay, nearly unconscious in her bed at the Cardiac Care Intensive Care Unit, Sally could be seen making the sign of the Cross, with her lips quietly moving. Taking the hand of a grandchild who came to visit, this desperately frail Grandmother looked into the eyes of her strapping 6'4" grandson and told him confidently, in barely an audible whisper, how much she loved him, letting him know that she prayed for him, and all of her family, each and every day. At a time she felt she could not fight any longer, she lovingly called her oldest daughter into the room, asking her to pray with her; asking that all of her children pray that God would take her home. When others may whine and protest, Sally prays! One cannot be in the same room with Sally and not be aware of her love for and trust in her God.

We have been amazed by her strength of will. Sally does not waste any time feeling sorry for herself; rather, she accepts what is before her and musters up the strength necessary to meet it's demands. Each challenge she has endured has been met head-on. This really is no surprise; for when her beloved husband died twenty-six years ago, Sally was widowed at the age of 57, mother to eight, and sole owner of the family farm. Somehow, in the midst of great sorrow, Sally moved forward with grace and strength. Ralph Waldo Emerson has said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." No matter the circumstance, the loss of a husband or a near-death experience, Sally exemplifies, with grace and determination, an ideal for all to aspire. We all continue to be blessed by "what is within" this dear woman.

Sally will be leaving the Assisted Living Facility on December 1st; she has given her 30 day notice. At 83 years old, Sally continues to set a goal and reach it! Surviving a massive heart attack may permit some seniors to kick back and take it easy. True to form, Sally's determination kicks in and she is doing the hard work of returning to fully, independent living. When asked if she thought she should work with the physical therapist on using a cane; she replied, "Oh no. I won't be going home with a cane or a walker!" Clear minded, she has thought through all of the immediate concerns of her return home. She has set a reasonable goal and is making it happen. There's a life lesson for anyone!

What life lessons have you learned from Sally? For those of you who have known Sally even longer than I, please post a comment (without a blog? post anonymously) and we will be sure to get this post to her. How about the grandkids? What have you learned from Grandma Sally? Let's bless Grandma Sally by telling her how much we have been blessed by her living legacy!

7 days and counting

Isn't she lovely! This photo was taken one week ago on the afternoon Sally arrived at her new assisted living facility. I am so glad that she has come this far and we still have that beautiful smile to look at each time we enter her apartment!

Isn't she wonderful! She has been working so hard, even at times when she simply wanted to give up. This is the lady who loves to play bingo, lights up a room with her smile and has the most contagious giggle. This is our Grandma Sally, and we are so happy that she is doing so well.

Each day is filled with physical therapy, occupational therapy, visitors, and of course visits to the dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sally says they do "a lot of eating here." She is walking miles each day throughout the hallways, exercising that troublesome left leg and foot.

Isn't she beautiful! We are planning a family get-to-gether at Thanksgiving time and oh--we have so much to be thankful for! We will, once again be a housefilled with family (I'm serious! with 8 children, spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren--any house is stretched to its limits!), thanking God that we still have our beautiful matriarch in our midst. We may even break out into song...lead by Tim (alias: Elvis!) and sing from the lyrics of Stevie Wonder's song--Isn't she lovely! Isn't she wonderful...We have been Heaven blessed, I can't believe what God has done....Isn't she wonderful! While this song was written for the birth of a baby--we have experienced a rebirth of our own around here! We have watched this near-death experience turn into a miraculous recovery! That calls for some some serious turkey, dressing, and banana cream pie.....sprinkled with a healthy dose of THANKS-giving!

So while there are 18 days until Thanksgiving, we have begun the celebration already. Thanks for joining in with us!

Where did October go?

Sitting with Sally in her new assisted living home, we all looked at each other and wondered what happened to the month of October 2006?!

We began the month celebrating Sally's 83rd birthday; a short 24 hours later, we sat horrified, praying for her recovery outside of the heart center's Critical Care Center. Minutes turned into hours, hours into days, and on Monday, we found ourselves chatting with Sally in her new studio apartment in a lovely assisted living community. God is so good!

While this move was greatly anticipated, it is a transition nonetheless. Just as a college student feels the excitement of a new found freedom, there is a level of homesickness felt. Still, anyone who knows Sally knows that she will handle this transition with grace, for grace is at the core of who she has always been.

For the time being, it is expected that Sally will stay in assisted living, for an unknown brief time, to continue her rehab in a safe place and move forward towards complete independent living. I have no doubts, as Sally has put her mind and all of her energy to returning to her home--she will! She can't help but do it!

So on this first day of a new month, Sally continues to work towards her goal and we return to our daily activities which have waited for our return. If you would like to add one small thing to your daily or weekly schedule and write Grandma Sally at her new place....please email me and I'll send you the address. She so appreciates the cards and letters you have each sent to her while at the Hospital--I'm certain your encouragement and prayer support has been key to her recovery to this point!

Although we can't believe the entire month of October has flown bye, as we review, we know the struggle Sally has endured and the blessings she has received! We are grateful for each miracle along the way and look forward to Sally's complete recovery and return home. Where did October go? Directly into the hands of God! And what a month it was!