Preparations

Chloe (Mom) & Bonnie (Me)

          The wind has been blowing all day, and according to the forecast, it's bringing a good chance for rain during the next two days - a good thing since we are still trying to recover from the drought.  It reminds me of the winds of change going on in our home as we make preparations for Mom's arrival.
           Thursday is moving day, and for the past week we've been hard at work rearranging furniture in an already full house, donating some of it, to make room for the furniture Mom has been using in her assisted living apartment. There must also be room to accommodate Mom's walker since the doctor insisted she use it wherever she goes (she has recently fallen several times.)  Actually, furniture placement is far easier than all of the closets we're consolidating.  Where did we get all this stuff???  We've only been in Mom's house about a year and a half, and we've collected most of it since we've been here!  How many bottles of this and that does a person need, not to mention the wide assortment of band-aids, tape and gauze in a variety of sizes?  I'm sure we bought them because we needed them at the time for some sort of ailment, but right now, I can't seem to remember most of them.  And have I mentioned cold medicines, cough drops and syrups, as well as a collection of pain relief medicines - oral and topical?  And more importantly, there are boxes of pictures and memorabilia of bygone days, many which we barely remember.  Then, there are the hand rails just installed by my brother to insure Mom's safety.  A hospital bed was delivered yesterday to accommodate Mom's growing needs, and a higher toilet sits in its box in my living room awaiting the service man coming to install it.  Pharmacies must be changed, and a new general practitioner enlisted.
          Earlier in the week, I hit a snag and was a bit overwhelmed at the many preparations, two of which included finding new homes for our life groups that meet in our house.  Will I be ready - and able - to take care of my precious mother?  Will I have the patience to repeat (with a smile) the same words or stories that I've already explained a million times before?  Can I find just the right caregiver who will show Mom the compassion and dignity that she deserves when we are away from the house?  I quickly realized that I was borrowing trouble from tomorrow by not trusting God to provide everything I would need.  I had to lay all of these concerns at the feet of the Master, and finally, accepted his peace in my heart.  Why did I doubt?  Because I'm human.  But I also have a choice not to stay in that mindset, and let joy reign in my heart.  Seemingly, God has orchestrated this entire process since things are easily and quickly falling into place.  Most of all, we have his peace.

Mom & my sister (Sherrie)

          Thankfully, during the days since we started planning this move, Mom temporarily made a turn for the better.  Dementia patients, as I've learned, have some good days, but also, days that are more of a challenge.  Right now, I'm grateful for the good days; days when Mom is more like the mother I remember.  My sister and I discussed this change a couple of days ago, and in her words said, "I think Mom is excited that she is going home."  At least, as much as she remembers of home.  And, as I've cleared my calendar to give Mom the attention she needs, I discover that I am looking forward to showing her the kind of love and attention that she deserves at this season in her life.
          There is still lots to be done before moving day.  This is also the last week of our corporate church fast which is a media fast.  That means that we lay aside frivolous electronic gadgets and programs such as video games, e-readers, facebook, email, TV, movies and other things that I can't think of right now.  I've become so accustomed to using them that I don't think twice about it.  Electronics have become a way of life for all of us. Excluded, of course, is computer use that is work or bank related, and phone time with our family members. We are to turn back the clock, so to speak, and read, play games with our friends and families, and generally, slow down a bit.  Focus on the people that are really important in our lives; and most of all, focus on the Lord of our souls.

Mom & her children with their spouses (except one son & his wife.)