Showing posts with label Hearts 4 Home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hearts 4 Home. Show all posts

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

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Still Present



“You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence.”
Psalm 21:6b NAS

Today is one of those days. Boo is having trouble staying oriented. He has a minor infection which causes him to be more confused than usual. I've spent much of the day reorienting Boo to time and place, checking his blood pressure and blood glucose readings, helping him to the bathroom, feeding him small snacks, talking calmly to him...and repeating the process. I've washed dishes and one load of clothes. That's all I've accomplished today. And I had such plans for the day until reality took me by the hand and led me down a different path.

In the midst of my frustration, I thought of all the times I've wandered off the path and God has listened to my litany of complaints. He's held me gently and waited for me to calm enough to listen to Him and allow Him to lead me. And then had to repeat the process many, many times. (I'm a slow learner.) The patience and love He has shown me, I've not deserved.

After one of Boo's mini naps today, he grabbed my hand and joyfully announced to an empty room, “She's still here!” Well, of course. Then again, don't I react the same way with God? I still find myself thrilled that God is continually there for Boo and me. Right in the middle of our messy, chaotic lives, God is present, loving us, caring for us and gently leading us closer to Him. Today I'm most thankful for Emmanuel---God present with us---for in His presence we have all we really need.