The Kick Off

A couple of posts back I talked about a new ministry that I was going to organize to start in the Spring. Yesterday was the Kick Off for "A Widows Window" a support group in my church for widows. After many team meetings the class turned out very well. Got some good feed back. And, it's a GO! Had originally set it up for 6 weeks for starters but thinking I need to expand it until the first of August. So, every Tuesday at 10 am until August 1st...my gut feeling is it's gonna grow.

A beautiful thing happened during the gathering of the few widows that came. A couple of them shared about the death of their husband. Though it was truly difficult to hear, when each spoke of that experience there was a measure of love that almost glowed as they spoke. It was amazing to be there with them as they went through their heart and memory. A quiet attention of everyone in the room as each one shared.

No doubt a very difficult time in life but...God revealed himself in each story and it was beautiful. I am awed by the evidence of the love of God that carries us through and we are unaware for the most part because of the pain of our loss. I truly honor the women who have lived through such a devastating life experience and know they were carried even as they are sharing their heart.

I'm thankful that I get to be part of this ministry. I know this is a short post, but in a since it's fuller than maybe all the others put together.

God bless you.  This is Judy, in my red recliner hoping you believe in Creator of all things created, the Alpha and Omega, His Son Jesus the Christ and Holy Spirit.

                                                               

                                                               Daffodils...it must be Spring

Home

 

Joey learned to watch TV while I was gone from home.

It's March! The 5th to be exact and I'm Home. Sometimes that word gets a super charge in it's meaning. That's the case today. Though my living companion is Joey the orange tabby, he's part of the reason home means more than usual. Another reason home means more to me today is that I've been away since February 17th and came home this past Saturday morning 16 days according to my fingers. First it was early morning hospital sign in then time in a staging area with a curtain waiting for my turn in surgery. Then flat on my tummy on a special table I'm told for the lower 4 & 5 spine fusion. Five hours later woke up in ICU where I stayed until released to a rehab facility for a week. Then finally home to Joey.

I have staples in my lower back and a second incision a bit to the left for a special tool used in the process.  A bit soar with lots of rules for not moving in such a way to damage the incision. And a walker.  The worst of it all is over I think. In a couple of days I go see the surgeon for a post op appointment and probably removal of the staples of which there are plenty.

Experiencing all sorts of sensations not necessarily pain. Hope the Surgeon has a good explanation for all of them and hope it's normal. So, having said that I'm determined not to worry about those sensations for now. Lots of things happen to a body during surgery that no one really talks about. For instance once your body is opened up air enters. The air can cause pockets throughout your body like bubbles. That's why when you wake up after they....the nurses or someone...gets you on your feet and makes you walk so that the air will leave. Interesting!

Lots of other things happen too. I woke up to bruises in the oddest places. Some are obviously from the needles they place under the skin for stuff that needs to get into the blood stream in  a hurry. But some are of unknown origin to me. I have questions for the doc.. I don't know abut you but I don't like the idea that I'm 'handled' while unconscious though I do give permission. I don't think about it too much.

Well, I'm home now and today at 9 a home health person comes to tell me how they will help me for the next 2 weeks. Don't know what to expect but I'll be happy with whatever is offered.

While I was in hospital etc., Joey was being visited everyday for a minimum of an hour. During that hour he was entertained and entertaining, was loved on, fed and otherwise attended to. When I got home he was absolutely glad to see me but expected me to leave after an hour. To his surprise I'm still here and he has calmed down and is semi-calm for a 10 month old.

Home. I'm home. Kids come everyday to do a bit of housekeeping and check on me and bring stuff if I have need or want. Otherwise I stay in my robe and slippers. Now that's something that sounds good but not so much. It's to be expected though so since I don't have the energy to do much more than sit in the recliner, I'm good.

The main thing is, I'm Home.

yup...Judy at home in the recliner in her robe and slippers posting. Hope all are well and really like your Home. Bless you each and every one!