Just a couple of kids, is how we started out. Married in 1980 without a clue, but through the ebb and flow of life, here we are! The lucky ones! We raised two totally awesome kids! Our son and our daughter, along with their spouses have extended our legacy with three fun and and yes, awesome grandsons.
When I was a kid, my hometown of East Jordan was known as āSwan Cityā. I donāt think they use that slogan anymore. It always seemed so appropriate.
This year, they had some art added to the city and I was thrilled to see this addition. It reminds me of days gone by.
Made by East Jordan High School Welding Class
Another thing that causes me to reminisce of days gone by are fields of hay. It does warm my heart to see them, yet I certainly am a lucky one not to have THAT chore anymore! š
My grandson, Isaac wanted to go to the Smithsonian this year for vacation. My daughter planned their vacation to go to DC, Hershey’s factory and Niagara Falls this year via rented RV.
While they were gone we watched their critters, which I will refer to as a critter-cation. One week of experiencing three dogs and one cat. Just a taste, in case I was considering acquiring another critter.
From eldest to youngest:
Theodore Roosevelt, commonly referred to as Theo
The second they added to their family,
Mia, the Kisser
Their youngest dog, which they acquired as a gift for Isaac.
Toad, the hyper one…and I have bruises to prove it! Haha
Their most recent addition;
Artemis, often called “Artie”The critters always seem to gather around me. In this pic, Artie is on my lap.
I was so excited for Tina and family to have such a nice vacation. They saw some amazing sites. While they were away, we took great care of their critters. Now, they are reunited and all are home safe and sound. Again, we are the lucky ones.
Here are some pics that Tina and family shared with me:
It has been a bit since my last blog post. I always enjoy any time that I get to spend with my family, so this is the best place to pick up.
Tina asked us to join her for the Boyne City Mushroom festival. Tina and Isaac did the bumper cars together. This brought joy to watch.
I was able to meet some long time friends for lunch. I enjoyed seeing them so much even though I was self conscious of my physical state when I saw them. It was good to hear how their lives are changing with kids and grand-kids.
As I’ve stated previously, relationships and encounters are what I treasure above many things. On the 23rd of May, I went back to my doctor for a follow up of the hip surgery. He gave me the “go ahead” to return to work. Part of me was ecstatic, for this meant that I was doing well. As it turns out, that the day they told me to return to work, was the very day that my long time girlfriend was in the area. I totally missed an opportunity to visit with with her. Even though I was overjoyed to see the people that I have grown special relationships with at workā¦ I cannot adequately explain how disappointed I was to not see her for this round of her returning to the area. Especially this year, when this fall has made me so aware of the frailty of life.
Since I have been recuperating, I have tried to be vigilant with walking and exercises that physical therapy has given. One of those walks, I was startled by this morning dove that did not seem to be disturbed by my entering it’s personal space.
Memorial Day weekend, Brian and family came to visit and it was such a joy to see them.
Isaac turned 11 and asked for us to take him miniature golfing. I made him an ice cream cake and he was overjoyed to get a Nerf gun that he had been asking his Mum for.
Just a few days later, was Tina’s birthday. I made her a cake made only with fruit which she thought was great!
Leonard and I with our baby
After returning to work, I found that my ability to do my job adequately and how it was effecting my health was just not providing the desired outcome. I had many mixed feelings about this. We made the decision for me to retire. The reality of not seeing the people that I have grown so close to, puts a sadness in my heart that I cannot explain. Did I return to work to early? I don’t know. I never realized a simple fall on the ice could impact not only my health but also my emotional state in such a big way. I realized how fragile life is and how quickly that can change. We decided as a couple that we needed to be together as much as possible. We both are realizing that each day is a gift and not to take it for granted.We go through life believing that there will be a better day or that we will have another day. We count on it, but that is not promised.
Even though life is a mixture of ups and downs, I am grateful to my God for the many relationships that have blessed my heart along the way. To the friends I’ve made that are near my own age to the younger ones that are younger than my own kids and the unlikely relationship that I encountered with a young man that I worked with for 7 years. These people that I’ve been accustomed to seeing everyday, I had to leave behind, yet their uniqueness and the love that I feel for them will be etched in my heart for eternity. Will I forget about them? Not a chance! They have impacted my life and changed me in a way that could have not happened without their place in my life. We have photo albums of moments with our families but, I have a photo album of memories of these people that I hold dear on my heart. No one can take that away. These are moments of just living everyday…same place, same time and yet, that is what draws you close.
Yes, life IS a mixture of ups and downs, but we remain the Lucky Ones and I am grateful.
Throughout my life, I have been given so much grace! How did I get so lucky? God. He has given me so much mercy. He has intertwined my life with people that bless my heart and my life. I don’t take those relationships lightly or for granted.
My daughter, Tina’s 4th grade class made me get well cards when I was in the hospital. This touched my heart so much. Tina also shared with me that her class has continually inquired about my recovery. The Lord gave me the idea to ask her if I could come and meet her class and let them know that I was alright. So, I asked Tina if I could come and read her class a story. Tina thought it was a great idea. So, this last week, I checked out a couple books from the library. One, was about sometimes we get frustrated with things that happen and the other was about problems and that we don’t have to be scared about a problem but to look for the opportunity in it. I also read them the poem, “Don’t Quit”. These fourth graders were so attentive and so very good. They were such an encouragement. I feel so lucky and blessed to have had this opportunity.
Yesterday, Tina and Isaac came over for Mother’s Day and brought me a beautiful gift. I am not very materialistic, but it was a wonderful gift, but the gift of her visit and the love she shows mean the world to me. Brian also texted me with wishes and stated that he couldn’t ask for a better mom or role model. These are things that bless my heart, not that I think that I am that great of a mother or role model, but I was lucky enough to have kids that think so and that express their love for me…no gift is greater than that!
Isaac checking out a streamLeonard and IsaacTina and Isaac playing soccer
Today, is Mother’s day. This day encourages me to think about my own Mum and what she meant to me, but also all the other remarkable women and the contribution that they make in this world. As moms, whether we have born children or not,we don’t get an instruction book and yet we do the best that we can. Praying that God will help us in this journey. Often we fail or perceive to fail and as we mature, find out that some of the things we failed at, were maybe not that big of deal or we now know a better way that we could have handled a situation or time in our life. God, in His mercy, takes our efforts and makes them into something beautiful. He is in us and His love flows out into our children or those we come in contact with, if we let Him.
Yesterday, was our forty-second anniversary. In the last few years, we have gone somewhere for a few days to celebrate. Although, due to having therapy, we could not do the same this year. Even though we didn’t do anything exciting, I feel most lucky this year. It seems that it is during hard times that draw us together more than the good times. It is the same with God. We tend to take those closest to us for granted until something major happens, as we do with God. God has sustained me for many years and am so grateful for His hand in my life. He has shown me so much mercy. At times, I wondered if I married the right person, we are so different. God in His mercy, prepared for me the perfect mate to make us one. We went out for an enjoyable lunch, a walk on the boardwalk in East Jordan and in the evening, my sister-in-law asked me to come to her aid with help with her computer. Yes, not very exciting, but all we did, we did together. Isn’t that what marriage is about? Forging out this life together? I like to take a pic on our anniversary every year. This year, it was no different..we were not dressed up-just time together. Below, is the pic my sister-in-law took of us.
As for my doctor’s appointment, even though the doc said that I was progressing ahead of schedule, he advised that I stay off work another month. He said that it would be 6 months before I can be off many restrictions. I had felt that I needed another week or so, and yet,I feel a bit guilty for staying off work so long, yet this has been such a hard break, I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize my health and recovery. Hearing him explain all that he did and how he had to reconstruct without seeing what I looked like before was eye opening. I bet that if I would have insisted on going back to work, he would have let me, but I am following his lead on this. One exciting thing is that he said that if Leonard tested my reflexes as to whether I could stop quick while driving, I could drive again. We tested them on a road that did not have any traffic, and I did fine! Yay, I can drive! A bit of resumed independence!
Also, this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKIt5e2e498 helped me resume another bit of independence with the aid of my grabber/reach -er. You just never realize all the muscles and bones you use to do simple tasks.
Leonard took a pic of my x-ray which shows my new parts in the pic below.
It’s been six weeks since I took my little tumble. I have another project that I finished during this stint. My brother,Carl and sister-in-law, Cindie, also gave me a canvas paint by number. The physical therapist suggested that I get up every half hour and move during this project..and so, I did. Below is the finished project.
I’ve always thought that six weeks was the magic number for all surgeries to heal. As of this week, I am at that point. I see the doctor tomorrow to see if I return to work on Tuesday. To be completely honest, I don’t feel that I am actually ready. The physical therapists have told me that I can walk around the house cane-free but not outside. With still a limp inside and using a cane outside, I’m not sure that I’m ready to return to work. I would really like to return with no assistance. Yet, it will not be my decision. I have come leaps and bounds and I feel very lucky and grateful to be where I am at now, but I do think another week or two could help tremendously. Maybe, I’m just gun-shy, nervous about falling again. We will just have to wait and see what the doc thinks. š
I have always felt throughout my lifetime so much gratitude for the family that I have and the friends that I have encountered. So, so lucky and blessed beyond measure!
Not only did I receive numerous calls, cards and gifts for this, my 63rd birthday, but some of them have caused me to be “crafty”, which has never been my strong suit. Nonetheless, I’ve been trying to do just that. My friend, Chris gave me a puzzle that had an eagle and the Mackinaw Bridge on it. She gave me this along with a Max Lucado book, that I quickly read through, which she had the following verse in: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 Leonard helped me put this puzzle together, get a frame and mount it. Now it will be a daily reminder of this verse. I’m lucky to have this friend and a hub who will help me.
My daughter, Tina had given me a paint by number on canvas. Today, I finished it! Looks like we will be looking for another frame.
My brother Nels, did not have kids of his own, but his wife, Dorothy had two daughters when they got married. I’m so happy for him that Jen (his step-daughter) has called him grandpa to her adorable little Millie Jean. No one could love that little gal more!!
Lucky to have these young men in my life!
IsaacLucas, Andrew and Brian
Easter Sunday was very nice. Attended church, then had Tina, Collin and Isaac over for dinner. Tina was a tremendous help!!! So lucky to have her in my life!
If I have learned anything from this experience of falling on and breaking my hip, it’s the importance of exercise. Even though we know the importance of exercise, sometimes we fail to put it into practice. I have a dear friend, that knows the importance of exercise and diet and lives it faithfully. She has encouraged me through the years to incorporate this into my life. Unfortunately, I did not heed her encouragement and all that I knew to be true. I got into a rut of lack of exercise and bad diet. I believe, that had I been in better shape before the fall, the recovery wouldn’t be so hard. Even though I can walk around my house without the walker or the cane (most of the time), I still have a quite a limp. As I do walks around my driveway, that limp is still there and it is difficult, but it has given me a determination to turn my life around and make exercise a priority. So, I encourage you, at whatever age you are at… get out there and “move it or lose it!”. š
Throughout my lifetime, I have had to exhibit extreme amounts of patience. From assisting in caring for my elderly grandmother when I was young, to all other aspects of life and I’ve learned it quite well. I can honestly say that I have much patience with people. Although, apparently I have much to learn. This process of healing has meant that I have to be patient with my progress. I have not always handled that well. I would like my leg to work better than it does despite the hard work that I have put in. The therapist keeps telling me it will come and I’m sure she knows. She is a very good therapist, encouraging me to do those tough things. I believe that I have more patience with others than I do myself. This is nothing new. So, with God’s grace, I am trying to be patient with recovery. If I look at when I first came home to now…yes, I have made leaps and bounds. I was able to attend church on Sunday, which blessed my heart to see my church family. They are so loving and kind. The encouragement that I have received from friends and family has been phenomenal!
Shifting gears, I found a tutorial online for these cute carrots that I filled with Easter candy for the grandsons. I did a bit improvising from the original directions but, I think they turned out well.
Saturday, Leonard and I went to the cinema matinee of “Lost City” with Sandra Bullock. I enjoy her flicks. That was a good afternoon!
Despite what happens each day, we are so lucky! Lucky to have family, lucky to have friends, lucky to have professionals that do their jobs well, lucky to have a God that intricately designed us and is the God of healing…and with His help, I will carry on in this recovery journey that may give me more understanding when others have something similar, so I can assist with their healing. Lucky that God makes it a journey so that we can appreciate the victory. I don’t deserve to be this lucky, but praise God that He does not give us what we deserve.
We Are the Lucky Ones 