95 And Made It One More Year. 7/21/2022

 Good Morning,

My cup was just filled with Door County German Chocolate Cake Coffee and my bowl was filled with Cheerios. It is time to write. 

Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his ways, but the Lord establishes his steps.

This morning I would like to thank everyone for the prayers they lifted up the last few months for my mother in law. A few months ago she fell and injured her leg and the repairs have taken a long time to heal. She is still receiving wound care and has made different living arrangements. She is residing in assisted living and is making friends and is adjusting to not being in her own home. Yesterday was her 95th birthday and the family made arrangements to take her out to eat. Birthday cake and as she put it maybe one last brandy old fashioned sweet was in order. She was happy and content as she enjoyed the family time. We have another event planned for September. I will be there and enjoy being the "only son  in law", which automatically makes me the favorite. 

Most of all I want to thank God for sparing her. The family was not ready for this and as much of an adjustment as it is for Mother it is hard for the kids to admit that assisted living was safer and the best thing. I think I saw some guilty feelings erased from the chalkboard of their lives last night. I heard all about the Bingo games she goes to and how kind the staff is to her. We introduced her to face time on the phone so some of the family in California could also be part of this Wisconsin Bash.

I want to share this thought. Treat every day as a bonus with the elderly. Make plans and arrangements ahead of time.  Include the parents or grand parents in on the decisions. This accident came as a surprise and of course our hopes were that she could heal and continue on living independently. But that changed with one slip on the steps. There was an offer to live with us extended to her and that was declined. Mom wanted to be closer to home and the doctors she counts on. So as we all left the restaurant last night there was an agreement that the right decision was made. Mom seconded it on our way back to her place. "I am very safe now". 

Plan for the future. It makes things easier in the long run. Have the difficult conversations that need to be had. Pray long and hard that the right plans are made. Every plan should have God in the author seat.

God bless,

Marty