He's my Lover

My work involves placing people, of all ages, into long term care beds in the city here. Sending ones loved one off to a facility to live is difficult, very difficult.

Very long wait lists leave families feeling helpless and usually what I do offer is not what they had hoped for. So my days can be not very fulfilling. We are meeting a need though, just not a happy one.

Harold and Marge were married 60 years when Marge moved to a LTC home. Her dementia was too much for Harold to manage in their apartment. He visited her daily and all day, helping her with meals, dressing, taking her for walks. But one day Harold didn't show up.

He had been admitted to hosp with a stroke.

Marge asked for him, every day.

"How is Harold?"

"Is he okay?"

Her children tried to shield her from the bad news.

"Oh he can't make it today" as if Marge was too demented to know that her partner of 60 years would just decide not to make his daily visits. She knew something was wrong. She didn't ask where he was she asked how he was.

Harold eventually stabilized and went on my list, just as his wife had the year before. But the list has over a hundred people on it. People wait and wait for placement often to a place they do not want. Part of my job is to manage the list fairly. It wasn't his turn.

Fairly to whom I wondered. Surely this was not fair to Harold and Marge. Was she too demented to know the difference?

Last week Harold went to the home.

Today the care home called to share a little something with us.

Harold's daughter brought him to his new home today; a room right across the hall from his wife of 60 years. The daughter wheeled Harold into Marge's room.

"Mom, do you know who this is" asked the daughter?

"Of course I do" she replied.

"He's my lover"

Some days at work are really rewarding! :)

Still here...

Very busy week and I am super tired - heading to bed early tonight. I see lots of visitors to the web site this week and no posts - so sorry. It has been a work, sleep, work, sleep kind of week....yawning as I type. Nothing a good nights sleep won't fix. I promise to be up really early to post before dear husband pushes me out the door on our Saturday am early bike ride. The coffee shop opens at 8am!

I have some super cool photos of the full moon over the College St bridge from a walk with my sweetheart and our good friend Ken last Sunday night. And last Saturday was David's birthday and we went to Truffles for supper - wow! I will do a review of that wonderful restaurant along with photos. Ya - I take my macro lens (and all the other lenses just in case) with me when we go out for supper. Truffles is not just for great food - each serving is a work of art! What a wonderful husband I have. He takes me out for supper and also offers to carry my big camera bag....cause it really does not match my shoes and evening get up!

I have some pics of the Victoria st bridge from a Sat am bike ride. Hmmm it seems bridges were the target this week.

So stay tuned! I will try to post early tomorrow morning before I head full tilt into the day.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

Blessings to you all!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! (music playing)

The tree is up along with about 40% of the decorations, there are boxes of "Pot of Gold" chocolates around (someone is into the second layer before the first is finished and breaking the rules), the mailbox is overflowing with cards from far away friends and family, Mark arrived home on Monday late afternoon and Paul and Allie will arrive at 1am tonight, Allison is home on Friday. Yup life is good - especially because of Him! I feel so blessed. Yes the days are very busy, my to do lists long, I am tired and I have lots of work days coming up, and a few things may not get done on time (David is in charge of writing the Christmas letter this year and I have all the cards ready to go with photos once he is done) but I am thankful. Life is full and busy and I am thankful. I believe He meant for our days to be full. We will be together to play some board games, prepare meals and do the dishes together - to just hang out together. God is abundantly good to us. We are blessed, not so much because He provides the things we need to be comfortable, but because He has given us Jesus Christ - and in Him is the fullness of joy that this world can never know.

It is my hearts desire to share that fullness of joy with whomever crosses my path. If you want to hear about this wonderful joy that He gives, come hang out with a gang of us in Sutherland Hall 1112 Central Ave in Saskatoon this Sunday Dec 28th at 10:00am. We can talk and share for a while (very casual!) and I will buy you lunch! Really!

We are just a bunch of people who once upon a time were disgruntled with life and trying to make things work out our way and well generally kind of unhappy because we couldn't control all the events in our life and each of us one way or another were found by Christ. We would love Him to find you too! So come and share some time with a bunch of people who are so happy - even when life brings tragedy - because our hope and joy is in Christ. Come and ask us all about Him or just come and listen and watch. And then stay for a great lunch and lots of laughter!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Roses and Angels

I love roses. They are so beautiful, so intricate and they have a lovely aroma. I stare at them and I am amazed at such splendor. What an amazing Creator we have. I just had to capture them with my camera.

Last week an angel dropped off these three roses and a card for David and me - just out of the blue - in appreciation for our music ministry and work in our church. My step is a little lighter these days and my heart is singing. So simple a gesture and yet so encouraging for both of us. Like the roses - small, simple and yet filled with His amazing beauty.

Have a wonderful day!

Julie