We decided to leave earlier than planned due to the freezing temps scheduled to arrive on Saturday night.
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Better to pack up and drive home with the temps in the 40's on Saturday afternoon rather than in the 20's on Sunday morning.
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We left the ranch at 1:00 and stopped for lunch at Whataburger...
Our favorite!
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We had a good few days in the country but since it was cold and getting colder - there's not much for Louis Dean to do in the way of projects.
Home on Saturday and enjoyed the fireplace in the den...
Today has been a rest and recovery day for both of us.
We ate the potato soup I made at the ranch and now I'm putting the turkey we brought back from the ranch in the oven! Using Deanna Rabe's recipe....
This is the only way I cook turkey now!
Tomorrow I will be making dressing and sides for a Thanksgiving style meal that will be enough to eat the next few days and to share with friends.
We are home and we are safe.
As good as it is to get away, it's just as good to come home.
Louis Dean doesn't do well away from his music room here.
It is his happy place and he can do pretty much whatever he wants to do in there.
Gorilla glue, duct tape, drills, and other sundry things.....
Life is changing for me.....and I admit I am struggling with things.
My primary purpose is taking care of Louis Dean and I am grateful to be able to do that.
That doesn't mean that I do not grieve a bit over what we used to do in taking care of others....
as in all those Fridays in Fort Worth to take Mother to the beauty shop and then lunch afterwards.
After Mother passsed, we still took care of Lillian and other residents at the nursing home.
After that, we were there for Reaoma and Louis Dean played the guitar and sang songs to her.
I loved her and I still miss her but I am thankful for Pamela -her daughter who is like a daughter to me now. God is good.
Then our dear friend June died. This was so hard as she was such a huge part of my life and that of all four of my children. Her daughter, Kimmy, is in my prayers and I regret that I cannot be there for her as I was for her mom.
I am facing the fact that, while we were a major support to Amber and Mike when Amber was in the hospital for 52 days with the quad pregnancy and the birth of these four amazing children and the next several years before they started school....and the book fairs and all the times we stayed with them while the parents took a break......
Life doesn't stay the same and changes are hard to process.
I'm working my way through the life changes and trying to find my balance...
It's not easy but we have to embrace our 'now.'
Because 'now' is all we have....
18 comments:
My dear friend, I truly understand. Our lives we once had and enjoyed has change or is changing and not always is a good way. We have to roll with it or struggle. I never give up, keep on keeping on , is what I tell friends who have issues of bad health or care giving. Prayer is one of the best go to's. Blessings to all , love you guys so much, xoxo,Susie
Yes, I do understand this. Life is always changing as we age and our children age and people around us get sick and die. We just had a dear lady in our church pass away after fighting COPD and other complications for a long time. We have several others fighting cancer, and it just hurts to see what people are going through. I am so thankful that we know this world is not our final home and we have heaven to look forward too, where people don't get old and sick and die anymore. But yes, meanwhile we deal with changes in our own bodies and minds and abilities as well, and that isn't always easy to accept. But yes, we have today, and we commit each day to the Lord and let Him be our guide and our comfort and fortress. He will take care of the rest. (((HUGS)))
I totally understand. You have given you life for others and it continues. There is a good book to read - Sacred Fire by Ronald Rolheiser you might like to read.
I so much understand, Linda! Having to take care of what we used to totally depend upon is such a jolting change. I AM glad that Louis Dean is still happy, and you are still able to take care of him and remember things for him. Caring for each other when we need it is not only biblical, but such an important part of marriage. Part of my prayers for you is for God to give you strength and discernment.
In other words, getting old sucks. Downsizing, eliminating clutter helps, becoming a minimalist has its advantages. Also if finances allow, hiring a cleaning service to come once or twice a month is a good thing.
Life does change so much. I think you are handeling all the changes very well though.
Embracing the now is so important.
Proud of you...you are doing life, beautifully!
It was 1972...then I turned around and it's now 2026. How on God's green Earth did that happen??? Kids don't believe you when you try to tell them how fast life passes by you. Seize the day...so true!
big hug
Donna
I have found, that we soon realize life does not stay the same...change comes to us all and yes, it's hard to let go of the past...I want so many things back again....it's something we must accept and carry on...being grateful for another day...warm hugs Linda
As you can see from the previous comments, Linda, you are not alone in your feelings. Life has changed for so many in good, sad and other ways. But, your last lines in this post said it best, just continue going on and taking each day with joy for all you done and continue to do.
It is clear from all the comments most of us are in the same boat, however, I don't know that we all manage as well as you do but it all points to flexability and most of us are set in our ways. Ironic isn't it? Who knew being a senior would be one of the biggest challenges we may face but may we all step up to the plate. Blessings
sounds like every person that commented is just like we are, things have changed and will change again, and all we can do is Remain Standing, and Do the Best We Can...we are doing that and God approves and we both gather strength to remain standing every time we ask. I know that you life is a lot different for you than mine is because you were so active and doing and traveling. Mine is still the same but not... since we rarely went anywhere or did anything.
I can tell you the worst part of my own caregiving is lack of unbroken sleep and never getting to sleep until I wake up, and am not awakened by dog and/or man....
I can truly relate to this post...And It is hard!! Hard to acknowledge that life is changing. Loved ones and friends passing away leaves a hole in our hearts, Being a care taker is so much more than BEING a CARETAKER. There are quiet losses that few people recognize that you are going through. Small things like running errands or days out with friends. And I think one of the hardest things is grieving the changes in the person you love. But God...he knows your heart. Praying for you Linda. Thankful you all made it home before the deep cold...even if it meant having to leave early. Looks like we have another cold spell coming this next weekend. Take care dear friend and please know you are being prayed for. hugs to you
Last year was a year of big changes for me. My youngest daughter married, and my youngest child, Kyle moved out. All great things and the next steps in their lives and we are so happy for them. But I found myself wondering what do I do? My life was raising my kids, homeschooling them, supporting my husband, and helping my kids with their needs for rides to work etc...
I have my parents here with us, and right now they are doing fine.
So my care giving is minimal. It's been a change for me and I have had to pray about what God has for me know.
Linda, no one can truly understand what it takes to be a care giver unless they’ve done it, and still each situation is different. When I cared for my mom after her stroke it was such a big deal but I never regretted it, and neither will you. I did have home aides come in and that was a big help. Plus I had family/friends that prayed with and for me - and you have that - right here! I rarely comment and no longer blog, but I’ve read your blog for years and it’s not a stretch to say that I love you. We’ll never meet on earth but we will in heaven.
Being a caretaker of someone with this awful disease is not an easy job. Please do not let yourself get too overwhelmed. I know for many years you and LD have been the rock for so many and I pray that you find friends like that too.
Life changes and trying to find one's balance ... I really get that.
Aging and dealing with others seems to be the New Norm for a lot of us.
You my dear Linda, are always in my prayers. Praying that the Lord continues to give you a tender heart and strength to go through your days.
(((hugs)))
Sue
So many touching posts from all of your readers. We appreciate all that you do for us as well as your own family and friends.
oh linda...i wish we could sit together over a cup of hot tea!! i have looked up to you for such a long time. i visit you here and i am always so drawn to your story, finding ld. chuck and i got married when we were 19, he has been my caregiver since i was 40, a long time. i wish i were the caregiver, i wish he could see that in me...what i see in him. the love in his eyes, the way he says "my bird has a broken wing"...i will help her heal. so much of what you say and do will never be forgotten. your love is a special one, a once in a lifetime!! take lots of pictures, like you do. one day you realize that those ordinary moments were really the extraordinary ones!! you are a really special woman...make sure you take care of yourself. if you have time, stop by my purple place tomorrow, you may enjoy my post!! hugs!!
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