It is So Stinkin' Cold...

32 degrees last night.
52 degrees by 11:00 a.m. with the sun shining.
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....even the staff members know how much of a transition this weather is on Reta and Ray! :)

Because of the frost at night!, Reta and Ray took some time in the morning to gather all of Mom's hundreds of outdoor plants and flowers on her lanai, and place them inside her home. Also, to prepare for the greater cold and snow, the lanai furniture were placed in the garage. After coming back home and spending time at Mom's house, there is greater understanding as to why Mom cherishes her home and has never wanted to sell it, even with the strong encouragement by all of us.

There's a balancing act going on with Mom's medication to provide greater alertness and an increase to her appetite, while perhaps also, giving her greater initiative on decision-making.
However, this morning, this caused her to initiate getting out of her wheelchair and into her bed - ON HER OWN! Great initiation, Mom, however, UNSAFE! She hasn't accomplished the consistent safe decision on hand placement, balancing and strength to maneuver such decisions.
The risk on her initiating this UNSAFE move is that she may hurt herself very badly, as she doesn't check if her chair is locked, etc. Therefore, the nurse ordered a new, low bed, along with ordering Mom not to do so. As patients get better, they tend to believe that they can take on these 'simple' tasks without assistance.

We all spoke to her and when asked what would happen if she tripped or lost her balance, she responded...I didn't think about that. (Hello, that's an impaired frontal left lobe response!)

Guests today included our 'oldest' brother of all - who lives in Cape Cod - Danny Kennedy (Mr. and Mrs. K's 2nd son), along with  his (and Helene's) super tall, super sweet and super gorgeous children, Andrew and Cassie. Unfortunately, they were in the area for his aunt's wake, but they took the time to come on by to see Mom. And partly why we made the decision to choose Whittier at Westborough is because of the close proximity that Uncle Milt and Aunt Berit are to the center, and again, they stop on by to see their best friend. It is such a blessing that Mom them right in the same time to stop on by to boost her spirits every other day or so....

Mom's neurologist is very happy with how rapidly Mom continues to progress and heal. Her therapists continue to work her very hard and create very challenging workouts. Today, Mom walked the most in one session without even a walker, and with only Kristin, her therapist, holding her belt from behind. She did so super well and only on a couple of occasions stumbled, but then quickly, regained her footing. She tends to, again, get distracted, looking at the people or art pictures on the wall, which causes opportunities for her to freeze, but, she did FABULOUS! She even ate more today with her 'pureed' food and is a real trooper because that 'food' is a step-up from baby food, and definitely isn't so attractive!

All in all, yet another wonderful day, to just be here with our Mom, spending such time encouraging, loving, supporting, laughing and praying with her. God really, really loves her, and loves us so very much to allow our hearts to transform so that we can see all the blessings that flow from this time. Mom, along with the Hatfield's and Guerin's, are preparing their hearts as Ray will be leaving this Monday. He will be leaving Massachusetts and head on to California, where he will stop, stay with and love on Mom's sister, Auntie Wendy, who continues to battle her journey with lung cancer. He's already planning on taking Auntie Wendy out for Dim Sum! He's begun to tell the nurses of his departure, forewarning them that their 'eye candy' will be leaving on Monday. Anyone who knows Ray can actually hear his delivery, can't you? Thank God the nurses know us all so well and the responses to his declaration today made us giggle!

Reta's made her departure plans as well, as she will be leaving a week from tonight, meeting Al and Alex in San Diego as Alex will be doing his Official Visit at University of San Diego. Alex heads to USD next year, on a golf scholarship (thank you Lord), and they will spend four days there and then as a family, will head on home to Maui. Yippeeeeee!

The time spent here at Whittier Rehab, watching the rehab, spending time with the nurses, and getting to know all the aides and doctor, gives us great confidence in leaving our Mom. Thankfully, the Hatfield's and Guerin's will still be here. However, the greatest peace of all comes from our Lord, who from the very beginning allowed this all to happen, and who gifts us every single day with tangible blessings to show us that He is in control and He uses all things for His glory.

Good night, all.

It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on the high places.
Psalm 18:32


Seek Me early, seek Me late, seek Me in the midst of the day.
You need Me in the early hours for direction and guidance and for My blessings upon your heart.
You need Me at the end of the day to commit into My hands the day's happenings - both to free yourself of the burdens and to give them over into My hands so I may continue to work things out. And you need Me more than ever in the busy hours, in the activities and responsibilities, so that I may give you My grace and My tranquility and My wisdom.
I do not ask you to take time for Me with the intention of placing a burden on you be requiring you to do so. Rather than adding a requirement, I seek to lift your load. Rather than burdening you with a devotional obligation, I desire to take the tensions of life from you. 
Come Away My Beloved by Frances J. Roberts