Unexpected travel to Washington State

My Uncle Ralph Halterman, who lives on Camano Island, Washington State, had a stroke and took a fall right before Easter. I told him that when he was ready to leave rehab and go home I would be so happy to come and stay with him until he can see what he needs to do, whether he can take care of himself or want someone there. He has been alone for several weeks, with his daughter-in-law's mother checking in on him. He called me today and I guesss the pain and memory loss and other weaknesses he is experiencing are kind of hard for him, so I will be flying there on Monday morning to stay at least until I go to Libby's in June. Monday gives me a few more days to get better from my own ailments!

I'm happy I'm going to get to spend this time with him. I should be able to finish his life story--at least up to this point--and I expect I can help him go through photos, family history things, etc. Debbie and I are sort of partner on this. She is such a family history fanatic and I am her willing accomplice. She really feels like our Halterman family (am I revealing too much that it was a poster child for "dysfunctional?") is very busy on the other side of the veil and are counting on us to facilitate some healing and tie up loose ends.

Uncle Ralph has the same kind of neuropathy I have but he has had it longer, and I hope I've been able to get earlier interventions with it so it won't deteriorate as much. He's having a lot of pain. He's just 9 years older than I am. I remember how much my dad suffered with his peripheral neuropathy the last years of his life. No feeling at all in his fingers, and only pain in his feet.

I'm going to miss Link's pre-school graduation and Echo's birthday. I need to get her pillow case done before I leave! I expect to have a busy couple of days.

Mothers Day

Mothers Day was sweet. All my (local) kids and grandkids came over on Saturday night. I did my first ever--and absolutely last!--take and bake pizza (from Costco.) Burned the first one, the second one dripped grease and the house was filled with smoke. Plus, I had thought they were only $5, should have just left when I saw they were $10. My brain wasn't working too well on Saturday, apparently. And everyone else brought a dessert. Now, why would we need 3 desserts??? (Thanks, Kevin, for the suggestion--"everybody else can bring dessert!") Two yellow cakes with chocolate frosting (family faves) and Carrie's famous pound cake. Kevin went out after 2 (3?) more pizzas and some breadsticks. Oh, my, it was crazy. But I love having everyone together. Handmade cards, lots of hugs, some Lindt truffles--what could be better. Libby gave me a really fun box of commonly used French phrases (c'est la vie, affair du coeur, etc.) for me to throw into my conversation when I want to imagine I'm in France. Davey sent a card and called, as well. He is always so thoughtful. Reed called me on Mothers Day to wish me happy day. I am looking forward to going to Tucson in June and bringing his youngest 3 boys back with me. Libby also called, but I had my phone off so I could sleep. Thanks, kids! I love you all!

Sometime during the night on Saturday a neuropathy gremlin took over my body and I awoke with a migraine in every joint and nerve, including my head. So I spent the day in bed on painkillers. Ironic because just Thursday my doctor was commenting how well I have been doing! My neck and head pain aren't actually connected to my neuropathy, so I don't know what that's about. Anyway, I am much better today, and I shouldn't complain because the last big flare up I had was before Christmas. That's pretty good!

Yesterday afternoon I watched the first episode of a program on the History Channel that I have been DVRing. I highly recommend it. It's called America: The Story of Us. It is always inspiring and humbling to be reminded of the huge challenges that had to be overcome in order for us to become a country. There were many victories that were clearly brought by the Lord's hand. And there was inspiration in military strategies and various innovations that Washington and others devised that were unheard of at the time. Oh, what a bloody war it was. I don't think I had known about the small pox break-out at Valley Forge and the experimental "innoculations" that they did to try to duplicate what was being done in Europe with vaccine. As if Valley Force weren't hardship enough as it was. I have to smile when I think about those patriot rebels and their distrust of govenment and fierce desire for independence. So many of our cultural values started way back then. We have a pretty impressive story! No wonder the Europeans think we're so strange!

Beautiful flowers from my sweet David

This spring--again!--I have loved seeing the tulips and pansies that David planted. I suppose I can look forward to having them every spring, at least the tulips, for awhile. I plan to plant some daffodils in the fall. Then I'll be very happy next year! However, you may notice a big leafy plant in the background in the second photo. David planted rhubarb in our front planter. I wasn't terribly happy to have it planted there, and had no idea how big it would get! I hate to encourage it by using it, and besides, how much rhubarb can one person use!!? I guess I'll wait until the community landscape watchdogs tell me to pull it out, and in the meantime treat myself to occasional strawberry-rhubarb pie. (Major YUM!!)

David's sister Alice died last week and I went with Doug to S. Utah for her funeral on Monday. All agreed that as difficult as it was to lose Alice, we are all quite excited that she has been able to join her mother, whom she never knew. And of course David must have been waiting, too. Apparently she mentioned to her family that he had come to her on 2 different occasions as she was dying, and she also saw her mother. David's family has been very sweet to me. It has been a pleasure to be part of them for a little while.

I am now quilting Marina's quilt. It's very bright and cheery. I hope to have it finished before she goes to Florida to work at Disney World.




I have had occasion recently to contemplate the difference between a "weakness" and a "sin". My cousin Debbie came over for lunch today and we discussed it a little bit. It helped me to think of a weakness in terms of the Lord's giving it to me, whereas, a sin is something I willfully choose to do. But I think they can get a little muddied, so that a sin may also be a weakness, but a weakness isn't necessarily a sin. Sin requires repentance, but a weakness will be made strong through the Lord's grace. Thoughts, anyone?