April 17 – “As the rib cracks”

OK.  So the rib is fractured.  Chris took Mom to the doc yesterday.  She was still hurting after her fall.  After his initial exam he didn't think anything was broken, but they did an x-ray to make sure.  And sure enough, there did appear to be a slight fracture in one of the ribs.  It's one of those things, though, that there is not much you can do for except wait.  He prescribed some super-duper ibuprofen to help with the pain and inflammation.  The only other thing is rest and keep the little pillow up against it.  She has been carrying that little pillow held against her side ever since she fell.  He said the pillow would do just as good as one of those rib brace things.  Apparently those are hard to find nowadays anyway.    Today is the day for Chris' Dad's surprise 80th birthday party.  Her Mom has pretty much let the cat out of the bag.  She told him "some of the kids are coming over for lunch."  She also called Chris four or five times yesterday with more and more ideas of things she wants Chris to do.  Chris is great.  She calmly says "Sure" and adds it to her ever-growing list that already includes things like make a pineapple upside down cake (his favorite), borrow tables and chairs, pick up some outdoor riding toys for the kids to play on, order meat trays, create vegetable and fruit trays, order an actual birthday cake and pick it up, coordinate the guest list since people have been calling her to RSVP, and whatever else inevitably happens when you prepare for this kind of event.  I can't think of anybody better suited than Chris to handle it all, though, except maybe Blondie in the comics.  It should be kind of fun, though.  Several cousins and uncles and aunts that I have sure never met are supposed to be there.  Kel and Christina are coming with their boys.  Nathan and April and Cailyn are coming, too.  He gets off work this morning and has to clean a few pools before they come.  It's always good to spend time with those grandkids.   I know I switched tenses in my verbs, but it's about 6:30 in the morning.  I decided I better write this before we go to Bay City, since I have no idea when we'll be home tonight.  I plan to take my sermon prep stuff so I can go over it in the truck on the way down there and back.    Psalms 149:4-5 says, "For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.  5 Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds."   Father, I have never seen this phrase before – "sing for joy on their beds."  What a great picture.  Ukelele in hand, propped up on three or four pillows, singing for joy.  Amen.