By the end of this journey, Mom will have lost about 20 pounds, having not eaten much, and her four children will have gained a combined 75 pounds! Mom is one step closer to eating her first bite in over 30 days come this Monday with the Swallow Test (please Lord!). 3 our of the past 4 days, as a family, we have literally eaten out at 3 incredible restaurants! And when we don't eat at a restaurant Renee has an army amount of food at her house and Rena offers a full on dinner with homemade desserts - pecan pie with whipped cream, cookies, or cupcakes. We are not exaggerating! Ray and Reta are taking full advantage of being in the hospital the whole day, and with our siblings and nephews, we end up consuming the most incredible meals, mussels, clams with bellies, garlic, lobster, angel hair, meatballs, pizza, linguine, bruschetta, and NE vegetables....what a feast! Yet another huge blessing in this time is breaking bread together with our family.....
We do our best to ignore the New England, rainy, cloudy, blucky, day that provids a mist of water throughout the day. It is getting toooo cold here....where is that warm sun beating down our faces?
Mom has been working her okole off with strengthening exercises for her upper and lower limbs, going from lying to standing to sitting position from her bed to her wheelchair, and continues to speak. We believe that her healing progresses even faster, as she re-connects with loved ones and so our Cousin Elaine (Our Dad's youngest brother's daughter), Steve, Michael and Robert took the time to visit with us all yesterday. It was the first time Reta saw Elaine for at least 3 decades! Super cute boys and funny hubby (a Yankees fan no less, but not as obnoxious as most :). Then in the afternoon, Karen O'Connor and her mom, Chris, traveled up from Cape Cod and we all chatted with them around Mom's bed. It means so much for Mom to see her dear friends who she values so greatly. There is such history, respect, and fondness in these connections! Then Karen, Chris, Reta, Ray and the Hatfields once again inhaled Italian food for dinner! Oh dear....
For today, Renee and Reta traveled up to see Aria to drop off a car for her at college, while Ray spent the day challenging Mom in foot exercises, and cruised around the facilities with her, enjoying one on one time together. Then in the afternoon, Auntie Mary and Uncle Tom, one of Moms best friends and 'flower connisseur' who she has known for over 30 years, spent a couple of hours reminiscing and reconnecting. We are still uncertain who gains the most joy from these moments...Mom, those loved ones who visit, or Mom's children. Tough to say...
Daily, God is really encouraging each one of us and teaching us so much more about our Mom, ourselves, and one another. The last 36 days have been filled with the most trying to the most encouraging moments....and it is a gift to each one of us. Perhaps to not the same degree, but like Mom, we are each being asked to dig a little deeper to give grace, extend more understanding to one another, love each other like we've never chosen to before, and rely on His strength to get us through the day. We get to graciously accept the Lord's plan and it's not always easy. But, we know, it is through the challenging times in our lives that God does His greatest work in each one of us, so long as we keep surrendering. He is the Potter and we are the clay. He is molding us, shaping us, and loving us throughout.
May we remain pliable in His hands this week.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22 - 25.
To send cards or letters, please address them to:
Ramona Chin (Room 224)
c/o Whittier Rehabilitation
150 Flanders Road
Westborough, Massachusetts 01581
Tel 508.870.2222 (Ramona Chin Room 224)
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