T'WAS THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS

OK, just a brief note today to represent this week. Basically there is little change in Betty’s condition. She is still suffering nausea and often will suddenly “toss her cookies” [Sorry, there are few nice ways to mention vomiting.] Most of the time that takes care of the problem for a while and she rarely enters the cycle of continuing into the “dry heaves” stage. The results, however, are always the same. She loses any food she has managed to eat and any recent pills are lost also, so we wait a bit and try the dose again. Since a couple of the tabs are to counter/prevent? Nausea, timing and retention are interacting puzzles. She is eating very little now and is slowly growing weaker, and she is falling more often. This is a normal progression in the later weeks of this illness. Just keep her in your frequent prayers, please.

Thursday evening Betty was asked to be the guest speaker for the church youth group. The organizers suggested she just tell her story which she did quite briefly, and her remarks were quite appropriate for a teenage group. Unfortunately many of the kids attending were much younger and I felt many of the more important suggestions she included about making important decisions at various stages of life were not understood. More's the pity since most kids are really unskilled at exercising good decision making skills. The effort seemed to take a lot out of both of us and we spent much of early Friday morning returning to a warm bed to extend our “naps”. [We are beginning to follow the wonderful example of Ira and Fern, a precious senior couple who chose to spend much of their dwindling time together talking cuddling.]

Grandson Lucas John is home from his tonsil and adenoid surgery and too sore to want to swallow. At first he was resisting offers of cool drink, including Papa John’s ice cream shake, but he was quick to bring a book to Memaw who lovingly read it to him, (after which he put the book back in its place and brings her another). I guess we know who rates around here!! By Friday night Lucas was mostly back to his usual activities, PTL.

Finally, today may have been unusual in one respect. I think it is the first day since mid-August on which Betty did not receive at least one card of love and comfort from some admirer somewhere in the world. (I’m sure this is because of the inefficiency of the postal service and not that her precious public has said all it has to say). I know I’ve mentioned this before, but the cards and message received from everyone have been a daily joy to her and an important part of her doing so well so far. She reads and rereads them every one and shares them with me other family and with select visitors as she praises the senders and expresses her wonder at the tender words the mail has brought.

Family gathers this coming week to celebrate together again. We are all looking forward to hunkering down at home and being with one another through the holiday weekend. Our hope in the coming week is that all of you will reflect upon the Miracle of Incarnation which began in a humble manger and culminated in the Power of Resurrection. What a Gift to us all!! Remember to unwrap this story with others (your family, perhaps?) sometime in the next few days and keep its important message with you throughout the coming year. It will warm your spirit and bless you beyond measure. So, Happy Birthday, Lord Jesus.