Memories

I'm just sitting here thinking about warmer times not so long ago.  This shot came from our visit to Lassen Volcanic National Park in June.  What a trip.  Not a day goes by [literally, not a single day!] that I don't think about our motorcycle trip out west!  What a fantastic gift Dawn and I received through that experience.  (you can check it out on my blog archives from June and July if you haven't seen them yet)

Back to the present.  Today was the last day of school and so, tomorrow begins a wonderful week of rejuvenation!  Believe it or not, it is a necessary element to remaining effective in the classroom.  Teaching is an emotionally draining profession that, until you experience it from the front of the classroom, you can never fully appreciate.  [At least I didn't until jumping into the fray!]  Rewarding?  Absolutely.  Easy?  Never.  Worth it?  Depends on the personality.  For me?  Yes!  Even so, I still need a break from the demands of the job once in a while.

Can't believe it is just two days till Christmas!  This fall has flown by in a flash.  Do you suppose it has something to do with all that has gone on in our lives - both good and bad?  [Mmmm... just took a break to get some of those delicious AE-muns]  Did you ever get the impression that I may be just a bit ADD? Don't know where that might come from.

We heard from Mel and Candy tonight.  First Emily.  Her ammonia count is down, which is a good thing.  When her count is up, she doesn't feel like doing anything at all except laying in bed and staring at the wall.  Today she had a pretty good day though and her spirits seemed to be up a bit.  Depends on how she is feeling as to whether or not we will do any singing tomorrow.  But the declining ammonia numbers is a huge blessing and an answer to our prayers.  Hopefully she will be able to come home for a brief stay after the holidays.

Jim.  He found out that his tumor is relatively small.  He had a CAT scan on Monday to see if the cancer shows up anywhere else but they are still waiting for the results of that test to see what the overall prognosis will be.  His spirits are pretty high, especially considering all that his family is facing this season, and all of us are hoping for a full recovery after his chemo treatments, radiology and surgery.

Mom.  Mel said that she had a pretty tough day yesterday.  She did a lot of coughing due to a lung infection that is settling in again.  When she spends a day working so hard at clearing her lungs and expending the effort to simply breathe, she is usually wiped out the next day.  COPD is a relentless disease that slowly deteriorates the lungs and the treatments for it will only slow that process.  So today Mom spent all day in bed sleeping and trying to regain some of her strength.  The nurse told Dad to expect her to sleep more frequently and for longer periods since she has to expend so much energy just to breathe.  The balancing act comes in the struggle with the medication.  She can be given medicine that helps her relax, easing her breathing, but that makes her totally unresponsive and glassy eyed like she is on the brink of returning to the Lord.  Or she can forgo most of the medication for relaxation and she is far more alert but labors much more just trying to breathe.  Kind of a catch 22.

In all of this, Mel is very quick to count his many blessings and the rich, full life that they have been able to spend together.  He is also the first to point out that it isn't over yet, that the good Lord is continuing to give them wonderful fellowship as they journey together through life.

Memories can be a tremendous uplifting part of our fabric.  As we look back over the years, at the many great experiences that have accumulated in our brain and interwoven into our spirit, they cannot help but bring a smile to our face.  It is a matter of looking at the glass half empty or half full; looking at the empty chairs in the auditorium instead of the audience members who have come out to join you in a fabulous evening; focusing on the few troublemakers in our lives instead of the abundance of fantastic people that we share this journey of life with.

May you see your glass as half full, enjoy the people who have chosen to join with you and appreciate all those fantastic friends and family members that the Lord has interwoven into your life!

Merry Christmas and a Happy, Blessed New Year!