Thursday, August 2, 2012

Snow Cones and Thunderstorms

Boo, 2009

Boudreaux, 2010 (He really likes snow!)

Vermont, 1961

Yesterday was a very busy day for Boo. We had to be out and about for a couple of hours and he had to walk significantly more than usual. Boo handled it all quite well. Our only difficulty came when Boo woke in the early morning hours confused and disoriented...and certain that we were still out. With a lot of help from Boudreaux (the meowing, purring kind of help), Boo finally settled down enough to look at photos.

This morning's favorite photos were of snow. In fact, snow photos were the only ones that held his interest. We looked at photos of two granddaughters taken during a trip to Alaska this past winter, photos of Boo and of Boudreaux in the snow and photos of me in Vermont. The more Boo talked about snow, the more excited he got. All at once, he stood up and headed to the door. He was going out in the snow! When he opened the door and was confronted with the summer heat, he cried. He had so wanted snow.

I couldn't give him snow. That just doesn't happen at the beginning of August in North Carolina. I did make him four homemade snow cones. At 3:30 am, that was the best substitute I could manage. As it turns out, snow cones were a wonderful treat. Part of a can of no sugar added canned fruit, crushed ice, stevia and a drop of food coloring whirled in the blender makes a passable snow cone that doesn't raise his blood sugar. I think homemade ice cream is in order this evening.

After his snow cones, Boo was willing to go back to bed...which meant bedtime prayers all over again. God has been thoroughly thanked for snow, for cold weather, for snow cones, for snow men, for hot chocolate and for long johns (!!!). As soon as Boo finished his prayer, it started thundering. Usually thunderstorms are upsetting enough that Boo requires medication to tolerate them. Not this morning. This morning he calmly added, “And thank You for thunder and rain since You've forgotten how to make snow.”

This morning I'm thankful for a God who surrounds us with the heat of summer, the crisp days of autumn, the cold, snowy days of winter and the warm days of spring...an infinite variety of weather to satisfy us. I'm grateful for rest in the midst of thunderstorms. And I'm grateful that Boo is able to share the strange and wonderful twists and turns his mind takes. Even in the confused episodes of Boo's days, he can feel God's presence, recount his memories and be thankful for it all. God is good!

Thankful Thursdays, Share the Joy Thursday, Thought Provoking Thursday, Pages in Our Heritage of Faith, Hearts 4 Home

10 comments:

  1. I couldn't help but giggle at God forgetting how to make snow! Sometimes I feel that way too down here in hot Mississippi! Thanks for your testimony of God's goodness.

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    1. Boo has been talking to God about snow every time he prays recently. Who knows, it may just snow soon! I'm grateful for air conditioning and can't remember how I survived my childhood without it!

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  2. Kari: Blessings to you as you do God's work. Your tender care of Boo is inspiring.

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  3. I am like Boo would rather face the snow than this steaming heat here in Ky.
    QMM

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  4. Maybe I am dense, but which one is Boo - the man or the cat? In any case, your tale was delightful, and reminded me to be practice gratitude for what I have at the moment.

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    1. Boo is my husband. Boudreaux is his "seeing eye" cat, guardian angel and all round favorite companion.

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  5. What a wonderful jurney through photos that brought the winer snow even though Boo thought when he opened the door it would be there. The sweet calming spirit of the Lord and late ight snow cones what a gift to be thnkful for. Blessings

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  6. My mom had Alzheimer's and Dad always wanted to bring her back to reality. I kept trying to explain to him that her perception of reality, no matter how far removed from the actual, was the reality we had to deal with. I love how you honor Boo through ministering to him, wherever he goes, mentally. May the Lord continue to sustain you and give you the beautiful joy you find in your journey. Thank you for linking up!! Our Father is SO Faithful to walk with us. :)

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    1. God is indeed faithful! After Boo's third stroke, we had an occupational therapist who frustrated him by continually trying to help him face reality. After her visits, Boo needed to be medicated to ease his agitation. I realized then that his peace of mind was far more important than "reality." Besides, don't we all have trouble facing reality sometimes? I have learned and am learning so much from Boo. I wish he'd never had strokes, but then we'd miss this journey and the lessons we've learned.

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  7. I'm with Boo. After winter completely and utterly skipped us last year, of course after we installed a woodstove in our new old home AND the kids received a sled for Christmas, we never saw more than a flurry. That isn't unusual for our area, but the warmth was. Ugh. I'm going to pray with Boo for a real winter this year. Amen. ;)

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