Sunday, July 8, 2012

Three Cheers and REMINDERS

Three cheers for the lineman that have worked in this heat for 10 days. Our county is almost totally restored.......or supposed to be tonight. As we were driving home tonight there was a sign stating that their was a worker rest station ahead. There was a port a potty and what looked to be a cooler or maybe someplace to wash their hands. Then there were signs that said "Thank you for your service." These guys in this picture were working on the streets during our village' Fourth of July Street Fair. They walked by and we thanked them. Everyone clapped for them. They went and got something to eat and drink and headed back to their trucks. We were told that the lineman from Alabama did most of the work to restore our power. It is so wonderful how one electric company helps another during these outages.......and go to other states. It says something about our country doesn't it?
Okay these guys REMIND me of my father. My father was a lineman and then a manager of a rural electric company for many years. Happy Birthday to my father today in Heaven. He has been gone for 8 years now. It seems like forever since I have seen him and then again it seems like it couldn't have been 8 years ago. I miss him terribly but I have such a peace in my heart about his passing. He had Alzheimer's for 10 years before he passed.
And that REMINDS me of my mother-in-law. We drove to our home town to see her today. My SIL met us there and we talked about what will happen next. She has Alzheimer's or dementia.....and is failing. Since her hospitalization she can't feed herself, walk, or communicate. She doesn't make eye contact and was so hard to wake up. But she seems peaceful. When she did talk (which surprised my SIL as she hasn't talk much lately) we asked her how she felt and she said"good". That was comforting. We talked about closing her assisted living apartment in the same building as the nursing care wing that she is currently in. It is so sad seeing her decline. The three of us shed some tears. I am just hoping that if she isn't to get better that she remains peaceful like she was today. She sleeps alot and that is good I think. God has plans for all of us and we just have to be patient. We do feel that the end is probably near for this sweet little mom of two, grandmother of 6, great-grandmother of 8. Hope that she feels the love that we all have for her.
Okay, if you have made it this far, I will leave you with something my sweet 3 year old granddaughter, Mabel said to my husband. Grampy gave her a kiss and she wiped it off. She said that Grampy had poppy seeds. She meant whiskers. Hope that this puts a smile on your face. Please don't feel sad for us, we know that this is just life. ((((((HUGS)))))) and thanks for listening to me.

9 comments:

Zuni, Chickadee Home Nest said...

Hi, Debby. Thanks for visiting so soon--just got it out there! My dad had a catastrophic stroke and lived unable to speak or move for EIGHT YEARS, so I feel like I understand what you're going through--missing him and sad about your MIL. Thank heavens for the little Mabels of the world. They come to remind us of the cycle of life. Good to hear from you. ~Zuni

Zuni, Chickadee Home Nest said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

such a wonderful tribute to wonderful men,

NanaDiana said...

Well, I don't feel sorry for you but I do sympathize. I teared up reading this post, Debby. My own father has been gone many, many years- he died when I was 21 and I still miss him every day of life. He had Parkinsons so it was good to see him go to "rest" in a weird sense.

My own mother had dementia and that was a horrible thing to watch her life and memories stolen away. It is heart breaking for sure and there is not one thing we can do to help them at that stage.

Blessings- Watch out for the poppy seeds in your bed!;>) xo Diana

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

It's hard not to feel sad as we watch our parents and loved ones get older. Of course, you're right, it is part of life. A peaceful, easy end is all we can hope for -- for them and for us.

Grammy Goodwill said...

Tears in my eyes after reading this, but I think Sweet Posy Dreams comment says how I feel, too. Hugs to you, Friend.

At Home in English Valley said...

Dear Debby , All of us of a certain age have or will be dealing with caring for our aging parents. It is the most difficult time, and nothing can prepare you for the long goodbye that is dementia and Alzheimer's . You just have to do the best you can, and hold all of your memories close to your heart . They are a comfort. Your friends are here for you
Your little Mabel is the best medicine, love and laughter!
Love,
Penny

Susie said...

Debby, This is a great conutry...where we can help each other. You and your husband are in my thoughts. Smiles to all, Susie

Jo said...

Whoo Hoo power is almost back - I can not believe that they were out for so long!
I am sorry to hear abt your MIL - one of the sad thing abt us getting older is our parents do as well I will keep all of you in my thoughts