A WEEK OF ABUNDANT GRACE

I love bird watching and always enjoy the spring and fall migrations when the many varieties pass through leaving memories of brief glimpses of color, form, behavior and character. This past week, family-wise, has been a similar migratory kaleidoscope with families coming and going. It was a swirl of bodies with all our chicks and all their chicks a part of the multihued cloud from the 23rd to the 30th. The first arrivals were from Alaska and represented overall the youngest average adult and adolescent combinations. That was Geoffrey, Dana, Eli and Lucas. The local brood – Edwin, Patty, Jessica, Bethany, and Tabitha - were quick to check them out. By Wednesday Eve the eastern flock arrived too – David, Paige, Katie, and Payton – giving us a complete mix for the big meal on Thanksgiving Day. That meant our whole flock of fifteen were together again in a wonderful and richly blessed visit as we support one another in this process of celebrating life during a time of eminent threat to our beloved Betty.

With a full meal and all the usual trimmings on the menu activity in our little kitchen required the use of superb timing and physical choreography. But on time and complete as envisioned, the bird and its accompaniments were served with panache and in abundance. Everyone was satisfied and even the refrigerators were stuffed for several days following until a few meals constructed of leftovers, piles of turkey sandwiches, a huge pot of turkey soup, and lots of snacking brought the extras under control.

The days were filled with shopping trips, and various outings. The evenings tended toward games and DVD movies, with helpings of football games and jigsaw puzzles scattered throughout the daytimes. One new event was team competition in a video scavenger hunt, (See Patty’s blog in the sidebar) The house was busy with the hum of family activity, occasional shrieks of a youngster’s opinion, or outbursts of laughter from the grownups. Memaw Betty held sway from her “Dream Chair” and was always ready to read to or encourage the grandsons or join a conversation with the grand-daughters. Fortunately, her current balance of medications allowed most of her waking hours to be free from nausea and emesis. The most noticeable aspect of her current condition was the need for more frequent and longer naps.

One major outing for all was the forty-five mile trip up the Columbia George to the Bonneville Hot Springs Lodge for family pictures. David arranged it and provided all the camera and flash gear required and took over 500 shots both planned and candid. The initial proofs are wonderful and I predict we will treasure this outing and the portraits for ages to come. We all hope to have copies available to each family by Christmas time.

We know Betty’s cancer continues to work in her bones and that pain management is one of the issues we are trying to stay on top of to keep the on-going damage under bearable levels. Problems we can’t even imagine or predict are being anticipated and met capably by the Hospice Nurse, Cathey, on whom we have come to rely for her skills and for her cheerful disposition. We feel we are in good hands and are not expecting any immediate crisis to surprise us.

Let us be assured of your continuing prayers, for we believe that Betty’s easy passage thus far is the result of God’s benevolent Spirit and his gracious answers to the prayers you are saying in Betty’s behalf. Please keep God’s ears full of your constant petitions for her comfort. And thanks again for the steady stream of cards and love letters and calls and contacts, and for those who have “lent a hand” with caregiving and the other ongoing chores. Your allowing me a bit of respite has made my tasks-load much easier and I am most grateful.

Thanksgiving Day is a holiday devoted to thanks giving, but it is only one day of Grace out of them all. Our week of Grace together was deeply appreciated, but we will be as thankful for each new day or week or month of Grace that may remain. Let's use these gifts from God joyfully while we have them, OK?