Always say "I love you"

I'm working with a patient now..His time on earth is very limited but he doesn't accept it..Just a side story..wife reports over this past weekend her husband told her that Jesus knocked on his door...When I asked what did he (the patient do) he replied..I didn't let him in, I didn't have any chairs for him .

Of couse the patient is speaking symbolically..many of us have opportunities to "open the door" but not let Christ in..so much for that sermon..back to the always saying I love you.

I grew up in a family that was not very demonstrative. Hugs and signs of affection were not a part of our daily life. I do remember father allowing his daughters to peck him on his cheeck as we headed upstairs to bed..but memory doesn't recall much more.

Many years later, married..widowed..in serious condition at Methodist Hospital in Indianopolis I recall my father crying softly at the foot of my bed..He whispered , "I loved him so much."
This to me was amazing for Hollis had commented that he did not think my father liked him...
Message to family...grab the person next to you and tell them how much you love them..this may be your last chance to let Christ through the door.

Angels are still flying

This morning at work the chaplain held staff support. No big deal but he encouraged the staff to share some of their experiences. The following is a story told by one of our youngest nurses.

The patient was a young mother..relativly young...but cancer had returned and with a vengence. Pain control is paramount to we hospice nurses and this woman's pain was almost uncontrollable..along with wilting seizures due to advancing brain tumors.

The primary nurse had sought advice from doctors, pharmacists and older nurses to find a way to help control the pain..Her efforts were futile but her support and attention to this family and patient was commendable..Our young nurse was sure that her patient's life would soon end..The family called her at home and she directed them in coping with the seizures..as soon as she released them from the phone she was on her way to their home.

She arrived and walked through the door expecting hysteria..instead the daughters grabbed her and hugged her..Mama was gone..but they had never seen anything so awesome..Just before death this lady awoke and very congnizent started to pray out loud..asking Jesus to take her home and declared her love for Him..There was a pause..she said "...ohhh, how beautiful!"..and took her last breath..

We all had tears and were touched by the time the story ended..this is why we stay in hospice.

Tornado

Radio blasted the grating sound used for a weather advisory. Severe storms in the Tazewell area. This reminded me of the tornado that hit the old farm house in Iowa..

My sisters were required to release their room to our company that came from Arizona. So we girls were all piled into my bedroom. The summer heat was suffocating , windows were open wide. When I entered my room I made a comment about what a strange oder was in the room. Immediately my sisters thought I was making a dispareging remark about their hygiene..but before I could rebutt the storm hit and everyone jumped to shut the windows.

Mom was home from her classes at Woodward and was up in the bathroom when the storm hit. She tried to wake dad up but his good ear was down in the pillow. She finally got him awake enough to tell him the tree outside the bathroom window was twisting around. He mumble something to the effect that this storm was nothing to worry about..she missed the big one that came through earlier in the week.

We went out the next morning...the mulberry tree was twisted off it's roots but lying away from the house. The big hay barn was twisted on it's frame . The pole barn looked good from the house but it really had the east side torn away. The garden tiller that had been setting next to the pump house was now resting on top of the pump house and the garden hose wrapped around the tillers.

We were amazed that our visitors did not get electricuted when the came back to the darkened house. The power line from the transformer to the house had pulled away from the house and could have easily tripped/electricuted the visitors.

While the storm earlier that week had caused massive damage to farms around the county our family was left untouched..The good folks were commenting that Ford must be truly protected by the Lord...However, 3 days later only our farm touched by the Iowa tornado..

A Good Baptist

5/7/2009
Patient is only about 97 lb and 93 years old... I sang "Amazing Grace" to her. She said, "You must be Baptist! Only a Baptist can sing "Amazing Grace" like that.
Love, Mom

Missing you

It was bitter sweet to see my family , or at least part of my family, here in my home in Tennessee. I was stunned when the teller at Dollywood asked if I was the Matriarch of this family....well, I guess I am.



Then I got to spend special time with my newest grandson...I got to hold the latest granddaughter at Easter. Thanks for letting me come spend a few hours with you. Now, back to work. love, mom

angel dog?

Friday I went to see a patient that had developed hallucinations.. was it medication? part of the dying process, just a lack of oxygen to the brain? I was talking with her, then in a matter of fact way said, "You know you have a long hair white dog with you." It was a small dog she said. Upon questioning her she decribed it as a white colored, short nosed little dog....does that sound like anyone we know.. change the color to black...love, mom

singing

Some of my patients have asked how I can remember so many songs. They love to hear the children's songs and I have give 2 "Childre Sing" books away.

Most recently I sang, "Secret Garden" . I remember singing this song in Primary when we still lived in Arizona. I also love to sing, "Call of Love," but do not have an opportunity to sing that one very often. I think I have been singing most of my life.

I remember singing with my sisters in 3 part harmony. Barbara was soprano, I was 2nd and Joanne sang alto. I remember singing "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You." Then there was singing in high school choir..and bootlegged in BYU University Chorale..

Dad was Branch President for a while in Keosauqua..When we were still meeting at the Community Hall on Main St. If we rode in with dad we were enlisted as part of the beer bottle clean up crew since the Hall was used for Saturday night dances. Anyway...Dad decided that we did not not have enought music leaders in the Branch so he enlisted the help of Marian Flake who had trained at Julliard's in New York, to teach the musically disabled how to lead music.

Fast forward a few years and we were in our small branch building that was built "cinnamon roll upon cinnamon roll". I remember my first time to direct music and Church, We had moved to the new building on Hiway #1. Sister Flake was at the organ, gave the introduction. I raised my hand in preparation........Why was Sister Flake playing? I turned and looked at her with concern..She whispered.."I follow the director, start the beat and I will follow." Wow! I never new such power. And I have enjoyed singing at Church ever since.

When I as dating Hollis and brought him to Church with me. I thought I had timed it just right so that I could sit in the back with Hollis...Sister Flake was playing prelude..Dad was sitting up in frount...I had just sat down , looked to the frount and there Dad was pointing at me to come up and lead the opening song....He would not take the "Gano" no look for an answer. It was then I realized that this was my life calling...and I do enjoy it. I love singing praises to God..Love, Mom