It's looking more and more like we might actually head to the house tomorrow (Tuesday). All of the markers we use to gauge Marty's health are on the up-tick and she seems to be feeling pretty good, all things considered. Marty is talking to the nurses, interacting with visitors and asking people to scratch her back; all really good signs.
I got Marty up in her wheel chair after lunch today. She sat in her chair for about an hour and really didn't want to get back in bed. She is still pretty weak and her shoulder hurts and it is somewhat problematic making the transfer from bed to chair without her assisting with her right arm. Another example of how you don't know how much you miss something until it's gone. I hope she gets some strength back, the sooner the better.
We got a wonderful e-mail from a long lost friend yesterday and I read Marty the e-mail while she was sitting up and she loved it. I paused once while reading to catch my breath (it’s a long e-mail) and Marty said, "Keep reading". Donna, she loved hearing from you.
After I read the e-mail aloud to Marty I needed to explain the context of some of the memories cited in the e-mail to Nikkie, our caregiver. Somehow this got us on the subject of John Denver's song, Poems Prayers and Promises. I tried to explain the times to Nikkie and how that song and Donna’s note reminded me of our really good times with our friends. Before long I was singing what I remembered of the song and then Marty joined in and helped me remember the words:
"And I have to say it now it’s been a good life all in all it’s really fine you have a chance to hang around. And lie there by the fire and watch the evening tire while all my friends and my old lady sit and pass the pipe around. And talk of poems and prayers and promises and things that we believe in how sweet it is to love someone how right it is to care......"
It's a great song. And between Marty sitting in her chair for the first time in a while, singing a beautiful, meaningful old song and reading the e-mail from Donna we had one of those moments, one of those brief, clarifying moments that I will remember for a long time. It was one of those very short meaningful events in a life. It was a moment in time, an unexpected sweet moment occurring in a place we don’t like to be; a moment I will remember tomorrow, next week and next year.
2 comments:
%^&$&**(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and !!!!!$%^&*()+. I cannot believe I missed out on another admission. I am finally figuring subscribing to the blogosphere. I am going to try and stop by tomorrow. I love you guys. I have Marty's cross from the Vatican in my wagon and have been meaning to get by. I should know by now when I think of you guys to call and find out what the cuss is going down. Love you. Hang in. Heard a great country song...If you're going through hell...KEEP GOING (you might get out before the devil knows you're there).
I am so moved that I helped you both to recall wonderful memories we share. I think sometimes we get so caught up and involved in the present that we forget treasured memories from the past. Your posting made me remember the song, "Poems, Prayers and Promises." I hadn't thought about that song of the 70's in ages. Circumstances in my life made it painful for me to think much about the 70's and 80's. I tried to block that portion of my life out, but doing that made me miss out on so much, like a continued relationship with you and your family. I am sorry for that. I think we just do the best we can at the time with the circumstances life brings. Thank you for helping me to want to remember our history. I am keeping you in my prayers for going home tomorrow and continued progress. I love you guys and can't wait to see you. Donna
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