God's Love and Care in Unexpected Places
Recently I came across this story that happened many years ago. My 36 year old daughter was only nine when these things occurred.
My family and I lived 1500 miles from the place I had called home. My mother did the best she could to keep a degree of normalcy in the house where I had lived my high school years. My dad was fading as Alzheimers continued to progress.
My father although not book smart had a wealth of practical knowledge of everything from the inner workings of any car to the best way to build a house. Now it was doubtful how much longer he would be able to look at us and remember that we were family as well as remember our names.
I made arrangements to see my father hoping he was more himself than not. My youngest daughter came with me. Jessica loved her Pop-pop and she was the one who could make him smile.
After our arrival and life was proceeding as usual, my father did seem more like himself than not. Yes , his attention span was shorter and he left more sentences unfinished. A strict adherence to routine was the great stabilizer. Everyday after rising came breakfast at the same restaurant, later lunch and later dinner, the same 2 tv game shows and the day ending with ice cream and then bed.
Soon we were into the next week.. Tuesday - a quick trip to the store to buy Jessica shoes and then -- Not lunch and an uneventful afternoon but a blue pickup in a confused second rearranged our lives. Blackout and then a paramedic telling me I was on a helicopter . Blackout and then the pain of being moved. Blackout - and then the sight of my mother's bloody face.
Jessica - I knew I had to get back to her. Thank God she only had a few bruises and scratches.They said I had a concussion. The doctor wanted me to stay longer but I knew I needed to be with Jess. I left my mother in the hospital as she continued to shake her head wondering how such a thing had happened to her.
My head throbbed as I continued to look after my father and my daughter. Late at night I heard my father in the hall. I jumped out of bed and dashed into the kitchen in time to see my dad exit
the back door in his pajamas with Mother's pants over his. I caught up with him in the middle of the back yard. Somehow I managed to get him back inside.
The day I came home from the hospital I laid down in the bedroom with what seemed like a never ending headache. I was half asleep when the door opened and my father came in. I opened my eyes just enough to see him spread a quilt tenderly over me.
Looking back on those days, I marvel at how well I managed but I knew I had reached my limit. I welcomed the offer my in-laws made to come help. When Dad ran out during their time with us it was my father in-law that chased after him.
Years have passed. My parents and in-laws are all gone. Looking back on those days makes me marvel at how well I handled things. God is the one who provided. Jessica was fine. My injuries were minimal. Mother's injuries were more severe but manageable. Church friends looked after Dad and Jess when I couldn't. My dad's act of kindness even in his confused state is a precious memory. My in-laws willingness to change their schedule in order to serve us was an act of love I will never forget. This was a potentially overwhelming experience that God used for His glory.
Isaiah 43:2
My family and I lived 1500 miles from the place I had called home. My mother did the best she could to keep a degree of normalcy in the house where I had lived my high school years. My dad was fading as Alzheimers continued to progress.
My father although not book smart had a wealth of practical knowledge of everything from the inner workings of any car to the best way to build a house. Now it was doubtful how much longer he would be able to look at us and remember that we were family as well as remember our names.
I made arrangements to see my father hoping he was more himself than not. My youngest daughter came with me. Jessica loved her Pop-pop and she was the one who could make him smile.
After our arrival and life was proceeding as usual, my father did seem more like himself than not. Yes , his attention span was shorter and he left more sentences unfinished. A strict adherence to routine was the great stabilizer. Everyday after rising came breakfast at the same restaurant, later lunch and later dinner, the same 2 tv game shows and the day ending with ice cream and then bed.
Soon we were into the next week.. Tuesday - a quick trip to the store to buy Jessica shoes and then -- Not lunch and an uneventful afternoon but a blue pickup in a confused second rearranged our lives. Blackout and then a paramedic telling me I was on a helicopter . Blackout and then the pain of being moved. Blackout - and then the sight of my mother's bloody face.
Jessica - I knew I had to get back to her. Thank God she only had a few bruises and scratches.They said I had a concussion. The doctor wanted me to stay longer but I knew I needed to be with Jess. I left my mother in the hospital as she continued to shake her head wondering how such a thing had happened to her.
My head throbbed as I continued to look after my father and my daughter. Late at night I heard my father in the hall. I jumped out of bed and dashed into the kitchen in time to see my dad exit
the back door in his pajamas with Mother's pants over his. I caught up with him in the middle of the back yard. Somehow I managed to get him back inside.
The day I came home from the hospital I laid down in the bedroom with what seemed like a never ending headache. I was half asleep when the door opened and my father came in. I opened my eyes just enough to see him spread a quilt tenderly over me.
Looking back on those days, I marvel at how well I managed but I knew I had reached my limit. I welcomed the offer my in-laws made to come help. When Dad ran out during their time with us it was my father in-law that chased after him.
Years have passed. My parents and in-laws are all gone. Looking back on those days makes me marvel at how well I handled things. God is the one who provided. Jessica was fine. My injuries were minimal. Mother's injuries were more severe but manageable. Church friends looked after Dad and Jess when I couldn't. My dad's act of kindness even in his confused state is a precious memory. My in-laws willingness to change their schedule in order to serve us was an act of love I will never forget. This was a potentially overwhelming experience that God used for His glory.
Isaiah 43:2
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