Thursday, November 19, 2015

Handprints in my house and footprints on my heart

I am reminiscing (that’s what you do when you are a grandmother or Nannie).  How wonderful to be a grandma! I am so glad God has allowed me to live long enough to be one. I hope my children and grandchildren feel the same.  I have not been able to entertain and play with them like I imagined I would, but it has been such a blessing to have them close enough to see them frequently. One or two of them spend the night with us several times a week. It is so sweet to look in on them at night and see their sweet faces on my pillows .  I would not have been able to do this if I had not had some very capable helpers.  
Emily Locy was the first person to help me care for my grandchildren. She was so kind and sweet, soft spoken, and a true woman of God. She endeared herself to the grandchildren and me.  She helped me organize my pantry, which was a major undertaking, and her handwritten notes still remain on my pantry shelves.  She and her husband sponsor an orphanage in Uganda that care for several children there. If you are interested in helping them, you can read about their ministry at New Hope of Life Foundation online. Their organization is in New Albany, Ohio.
Crystal Bass followed her.  She was a God Send. She raised four children of her own, 3 under the age of 3.  Needless to say she has the competency to deal with multiple toddlers at once.  She has been such a blessing to me personally, taking care of the children, and any other task I mentioned.  She wiped down walls, cleaned doorknobs regularly, organized cabinets, cleaned and organized the litter of toys weekly.  She helped me with some other projects too; like painting my laundry room and downstairs rooms in preparation for Brant and Elesha and family to move in with us while they build a house big enough for them. Does she sound a little like Wonder Woman?  She was at t time when I could do none of those things myself! Crystal has left us too.  The children are in school part or full time (I still see them most afternoons for a couple of hours). We planned to release Crystal after Christmas, but she got a job this week, so she left us earlier that we had planned.  We miss her terribly  too, but are glad for her good fortune in gaining employment so quickly.  Jude comes in every day and wants to know, “Where is Tystal?”
Emily and Tilly Evans are sisters who have helped intermittently. Every time the children see them drive up they start jumping and yelling because they are so happy to see these sweet girls. I am so thankful that God has provided us with the competent, caring help we have had.
They have all moved on.  This fall Tilly returned to Liberty University to continue her education.  Emily went with her this time and is working.  They don’t yet know, or may be just now realizing, that their lives will be forever changed.  They are shedding their skin and trading it for wings.  I am sure that God has some special purpose for them to fulfill, and I am SO grateful that He allowed us to play some small part in their lives.  More than that, I am thankful that He sent them our way, at a time when we desperately needed them.  They have truly been angels on earth.  Not one day goes by that the  grandchildren don’t ask if Emy and Tilly are coming today.  Since they have moved on, our babysitter is now reduced to MEL.   
I seem to be doing well physically.  If I’m not, I don’t know it.  I used to work with a kindergarten teacher who said that she lived in her own little world, but that was O.K., because everybody there knew her.  I think I now understand what she meant by that.  The Drs. Have dismissed me unless I have some further issues.  I give God all the glory!  I have had some really good doctors, and I appreciate everything they have done. But I know, and they do too, that they cannot heal me.  I believe God has.  I by no means am the person I used to be (my memory, especially short term, is terrible).  I have never been inclined to worry, but I now find myself fretting about things that would have never bothered me before.  They really are not important things, but somehow I manage to make them into something they are not.  My frame of reference now is “before and after” cancer. That is not a terrible place to be.  Some people didn’t make it to after.
I truly, literally have handprints in my house and footprints on my heart from these wonderful, caring, people that God has placed in our lives.  We are who we are now, because of them and what they have done for us.  We and they are living tributes to God’s providential care.  I thank Him and them from the bottom of my hear!!!
I have not posted in awhile. I have had the time, but not the motivation, or vice versa. Gordon has had surgery for hip replacement.  He continues to suffer unmercifully, mostly from pain and nausea.  He kept thinking it was all coming from his back and neck.  His PA at the Pain Center finally decided to investigate and sent him for an X-ray of his hip. The socket was completely worn out.  He is about 3 weeks out from the surgery & his therapy is going pretty well.  He is still in a lot of pain, and nauseated, but thinks it is getting better. I appreciate your prayers for him.
Gordon’s Mom is not doing very well. A hospice nurse is coming a couple of times a week to help with her at the nursing home.  We have not been able to visit her as much as we would like, & it is very difficult to communicate with her because she does not hear well.  I really hate to see her like this and not be able to do more for her. Please keep her in your prayers.

5 comments:

Lynn Caffery said...

I love you!

Emily Evans said...

We haven't moved on completely, we still consider all of you as family, and love and miss you very much. You have truly been a blessing in our lives, can't wait to see you in December!

Unknown said...

Praise God for all he has done for you. Sharon and I love you and we are continuing to pray for you both.

Karen Rogers (aka Pudelski) said...

I miss you guys so much. God blessed ME by having you and your family in my life. Wish I lived closer but know that I still think of you often and love you to pieces. Continued prayers your way. ��

Aletta said...

It's great to hear from you Annalie. Give all the family our love. We're thankful you continue to do well. Sending prayers for Gordon! Love, Aletta & Sam