It's a good thing to have a few moments to oneself as the day winds down, to reflect on the day's events, conversations, headlines--all the things that touch us and help shape who we are.  Not every day engenders itself so, as there are many tasks, chores and responsibilities that tug at us.

After our son contracted bronchial pneumonia a week or so ago, we tried to be very careful, sanitizing the counters, the door knobs, the faucets. But alas this wicked little bug is tenacious. Within a week I too was running a fever. 

I got into the doctor yesterday who gave me this new space age antibiotic and within 24 hours I felt almost as if I were over it!  Then yesterday evening, my husband started running a fever. He has had pneumonia many times in his life, plus worked under less than safe conditions and his lungs have suffered. His appoint at the doctor revealed the same prognosis. However, because this new antibiotic contains some form of erythromycin (which breaks him out in hives), he will be stuck with an old, slow-acting standby. 

Patches, our sweet kitty that was hit 2 weeks ago, is also rapidly improving. She's getting around really good on 3 legs. She has another couple of weeks to go with the spring-splint screwed to her bones to hold her broken leg together. And her chin which was completely skinned back from her tissue appears to be shrinking and adhering, though her lower teeth will probably always show now. The weather is so nice; she begs to go outside, but will have to settle for her perch in the kitchen bay window sweating the birds at the feeder.  It has been an inspiration to watch her heal. 

My mother continues to worsen, but has incredible stamina. It has been 17 months since her debilitating stroke after heart-bypass surgery. It is very painful to think of her, imprisoned in a body that will no longer let her participate in life. She is 3000 miles away and that is also painful to think about. I haven't seen her since last July. She worked so hard, walking and working out at the Y to keep her body in shape. I sometimes feel that it has all worked against her. 

One thing she told my Dad before and after surgery (and before loosing her speech)  was 'Don't put me in a nursing home!"   The day before the stroke happened, she had mentioned to me how sore her chest still was and wondered how much longer before it would quit.  When I arrived at the hospital on New Year's Eve 1999, she was not at all good.  They had to installed a pacemaker in order to operate on her again to install a feeding tube. Her lungs were filling up and I honestly didn't expect her to live much longer. So when the doctor said we needed to move her out of the hospital into a care facility, my Dad and I complied. I really thought it would be a short time. For 17 months that's where she has been. 

I've believed that my Mother had been born again and was ready to face eternity.   Now I believe there is something He needs to work out. So I trust that whatever needs worked out will be, and I pray that He is able to reach her in her inner spirit. 

I thank the Lord that no matter our condition, we can have His mysterious peace that goes far beyond any understanding. But I also wonder if, in a blink of the eye, I were so incapacitated, unable to make my body do what my mind wanted to do, unable to talk, unable to communicate, would I be able to stand the test?

~Jill