January 17 – “Secret Identity”

 

 

Chris went up to Houston to check on her Dad yesterday.  He was sedated again because he had resumed his agitated ways.  She did get to talk to a nurse this time, though.  Come to find out his lungs are still gunky with some kind of infection.  And he is still having trouble with basic swallowing.  As a result of that (which is a pretty major difficulty if you think about it), Chris had the opportunity of helping the nurse put the feeding tube back in.  That's the one that goes in through the nose and down the throat.  Not my favorite image early in the morning.  She told me a lot of times the tube misses its proposed track and ends up coming out the mouth.  Then they have to pull it up and start over.  Yummy.  That particular nurse had been off for two days, and she said it seemed to her that his cognitive abilities were not as good as they had been before she left. 

 

I have an observation or two about the comic book Bible I got for Christmas.  Actually it's called the Action Bible.  It has a picture of Jesus on the spine with a stern look on his face, long hair blowing in the breeze, one arm outstretched in front of him, palm up, and some kind of flicker-looking objects floating above his wrist.  I think we may need to contact Marvel comics.  Someone's secret identity may be at risk.  Minus the long hair and first century robe, Jesus could have been Spiderman. 

 

I've been reading a story or two from it each morning for my quiet time.  Today I read about Jacob being sent away to get a wife so his brother wouldn't kill him.  Loved the way it started out.  A servant rushed into Rebekah's tent, breathless.  Frantically she managed to get out that she had just overheard Esau saying he was going to kill his brother.  It was the Rebekah character that stood out to me.  When they first drew her she was a beautiful young woman.  Now she was portrayed as a grizzled, conniving, hateful old hag.  Scary.  I think I would have gone on a long trip, too.  Can't wait to see what Leah looks like. 

 

Isaiah 52:7 says, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'"

 

Father, use me as one of those beautiful people.  Amen.

January 16 – “An imaginary movie”

 

 

We had a really great crowd at church yesterday.  And then more people stayed for dinner on the grounds than have stuck around for a long time.  And this happened even on a day the Texans were playing … in a playoff game, no less.  Of course the food was great, too.  And taking down the Christmas decorations went extremely fast.  Great day.  Great working together. 

 

Mom made it to church.  She was a little out of it, but she made it.  I sat next to her when we said the Lord's prayer, and she recited the whole thing without missing a word.  That was kind of encouraging.

 

I remembered another Cailyn story.  A week or so ago she was over here and was engaged in some pretty creative play.  Not so much with her collection of imaginary friends this time, although they were around for the first part of the day.  She was joined by at least one of them while I was doing some work on the computer and Chris was in the kitchen.  I don't know which one it was this time, but Cailyn kept up a continuous flow of conversation with him.  They were searching for something together when they came across my wallet on the shelf next to my desk.  Her eyes lit up when she first saw it.  I was watching out of the corner of my eye, so she didn't realize I could see what was happening.  The chattering stopped almost instantly and a deafening silence fell over the room, punctuated only by the occasional click from my keyboard.  I peeked a time or two and noted that she was systematically emptying everything out.  She started with the pictures and continued through the credit cards, AARP card, AAA card, minister's savings card from Lifeway – everything.  And then she looked in the slot where money goes.  Ah.  Her whole demeanor changed.  Money.  Not that there was a lot in there.  It was, after all, my wallet.  But she stealthily reached in with her pudgy little fingers and came out with a one dollar bill.  You would have thought she had discovered the mother lode in a gold mine. She jumped up and tossed the wallet to the floor.  Money.  She had what she needed now.  And sadly she left her imaginary friend in the lurch.  This discovery warranted notifying a human being.  So she rushed right past me to go show it to Nani.  Of course by then I was entranced.  I couldn't hear everything that went on, so I got Chris to fill in the blanks later. 

 

Cailyn showed Chris the dollar and excitedly explained, "I found a money Nani.  I can't find money at my home in any of the wallets or in the closet."

Yes, I know that feeling well.

Chris asked, "What are you going to do with that money?"

And the reply, "I go to store and get food and princess stuff and books.  And go to movies.  Want to come with me?"

And of course Chris said, "Sure.  Let's go."

Cailyn took her by the hand and led her down the hall to the bedroom where she sleeps when she stays with us.  They took their places on one of the beds as Chris asked, "how much does it cost to go to the movies?"

Without missing a beat Cailyn had an answer, "Thirty dollars." 

Maybe this child has been to the movies more than we thought.

She followed with, "Shh, Nani.  Watch the movie," and pointed to the blinds.  Chris was fascinated.  Not by the imaginary movie so much as by the fact that Cailyn was reacting as if she was actually seeing a movie.  She laughed.  She pointed.  She made comments.  It must have been quite a show.  Maybe I'll get to see the next one with her.

 

Isaiah 51:15-16 says, "For I am the Lord your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar — the Lord Almighty is his name.  I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand"

 

Father, thank you for being there Sunday.  Again.  Amen.

January 15 – “Princess Party”

 

 

I got to wear my Superman costume again.  Yesterday we went to Cailyn's princess party for her third birthday.  I'm not sure who was more excited, Cailyn or her Mom.  Nathan and April put remodeling their kitchen on the fast track so it would look nice for the party.  It looks good, by the way.  Very bright. 

 

The party was not one where there are lots of structured games and a minute by minute itinerary.  Not that prepared games aren't fun.  Who wouldn't go for a quick round of pin the tiara on Cinderella?  Or pin the tail on the Beast from Beauty and the Beast?  This time they just let the kids play and the adults sit around and talk or watch the football game.  It made it not such a chore when they all came to the table for cupcakes and then when she opened her presents.  

 

Oh, and did I mention that there were nine boys in attendance?  Among them were three Batmen, a Spiderman, a GI Joe, and Buzz Lightyear.  Nine boys … and Cailyn.  Not a single other girl.  That's an interesting ratio, don't you think?  Seriously.  Is this a harbinger of things to come in her future with guys?  Watch out Daddy.  Nathan wasn't too happy when I pointed out that possibility to him.  He went into his customary tirade about how he has already arranged for the entire fire and police department to be on the lookout for any boy that might show even vague interest in Cailyn.  Cailyn was oblivious to gender, however.  She ran and played just like one of the guys.  And the guys didn't seem to mind the pink frosting on the cupcakes.  Still tasted like sugar. 

 

She even had two cupcakes.  DadDad got blamed for allowing the second one just because she happened to be sitting next to me at the table.  I was most proud, though, when she insisted on eating her ice cream with a knife.  Now that's my girl. 

 

Isaiah 51:7-8 says, "Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in your hearts: Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults.  For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool.  But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations."

 

Father, thank you for the little princess in our family.  And thank you for the superhero little boys you gave us as well.  Amen.

January 14 – “An 84 year-old teenager”

 

 

Mom refused to go to Libbie's Place yesterday.  She has some kind of cold or something.  Gunky cough.  She slept all morning – literally.  She woke up at 2:55.  Of course when she woke up she seemed fine again.  About 4:30 she asked me, "How come y'all started pushing me to go to that place so early?  When do I have to be there?  I'm ready now."  I told her the time and explained that they were getting ready to close now.  It was already late afternoon.  She wanted to know what was happening to her, so I told her she was becoming a teenager.  That's the only thing I could think of that sleeps all day and stays up all night.  Except maybe a cat.  I shouldn't have put the idea into her head.  Last night we went to bed around 10:30.  She didn't.  I have no idea how late she stayed up.

 

Chris went to Houston to check on her Dad.  He was sitting up in the bed without the breathing tube.  He obviously recognized her when she walked in.  He reached for her hand and held it while he was awake.  She said he tried to talk to her, but the words didn't make much sense.  He squeezed her hand and held it up to his cheek several times, though.  They were going to do another MRI or cat scan to see what the status of the bleeding was.  Sounded like he has a long road of rehab ahead of him if everything else levels out.

 

I had a dream last night.  I don't remember any details, but for some reason I can remember that it was based on the same premise as that new TV show where the guy has built a new super computer for the government that watches every person in the world and predicts when someone might commit an act of terrorism.  He gets mad because it also predicts when someone might be the victim of an act of violence, but the government says that is as inconsequential, so he starts a vigilante campaign to protect the person whose number comes up.  Actually it's not a campaign so much as it is just him and some ex-CIA, special forces operative running around secretly saving people.  They have a crooked cop they have blackmailed into working with them and a lady cop who tries to arrest them.  I think the name of the show is Person of Interest.  Interesting take on 1984's Big Brother.  That would be the book 1984, not the year. 

 

Isaiah 51:6 says, "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies.  But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail."

 

Father, please touch Mom where she needs you most.  And it would sure help us if you could get her days and nights straightened back out.  Amen.

January 13 – “A New Ap”

 

 

I learned about a great new ap for the iphone the other day.  I was at the youth worship service on Wednesday night, and I noticed a few of the kids holding up their phones for a few seconds during the songs.  Then they would look at them and start talking about something.  I finally caught one fragment of a conversation, "Did you get 'Indescribable'?"  That was the name of the song that had just played.  Very interesting.  I stopped them afterward and asked what they were doing.  And thus was I introduced to the ap called Shazam.  You just let it listen to the song playing, and if that song has been recorded, the ap will find the name and show a picture of the album cover it comes from.  I downloaded it when I got home, and as I was playing with it I found another version of it that is actually a music player like ipod.  But this one connects to an existing database of songs.  It searches the songs you have saved on your phone and if any match up with the existing database, it will play them like a music video, displaying the lyrics.  Also quite helpful, though admittedly limited.  Maybe it will get a fuller database as time goes on.  And don't I sound all up-to-date?  Talking about aps and music and databases.  Not bad for this old guy.

 

Kel and Christina and their boys came over yesterday afternoon just to hang out.  Maybe Kel can count it as a ministry contact.  You know, visiting the elderly.  It's always great to have those boys around.  Never a dull moment.  Jachin and Micah have a perpetual game of chase going on with Chris and me.  I can never keep track of who is "it" though.  It's usually enough to get the game going if I just suddenly tag one of them at random times as they walk past.  That can start a rampage stoppable only by their Mom calling time out.  And she's not even in the game.  Moms can do that though.  They have "The Power."  Josiah has discovered he can crawl out of his crib, so that is his newest passion in life.  No naps needed any longer, and not much sleep, either.  He has a new talent to perfect.  Ah, but Mom and Dad are way ahead of him this time.  They found this mosquito net-looking contraption that locks him inside.  Last night was to be his first time in lock-up.  I'm anxious to hear how he fared.  He had quite a bit to say to us yesterday.  I have no idea what it was, but he said a lot of it.  Watch out for that one when he learns some words.  He's gonna be even more fun to have around.

 

Isaiah 51:4-5 says, "Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: The law will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations.  My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations.  The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm."

 

Father, this is one island that sure needs your arm.  Come to Galveston.  Amen.

January 12 – “More medical updates”

 

 

Chris went into Texas yesterday to check on her Dad in the hospital.  The nurse told her he had been responding to a few simple commands like nodding his head and squeezing hands.  He still gets pretty agitated when they try to wean him from the ventilator, though.  He was still running a fever from some kind of lung infection, and they were not sure about how much he was really comprehending.  She did have a few moments of connection with him.  She was holding his hand.  He seemed to recognize her and squeezed tightly.  She assured him she was there, and a few tears rolled down his cheeks.   That had to be tough for Chris. 

 

Speaking of tough, it was very difficult getting Mom going yesterday.  She's supposed to be at Libbie's Place by 9:00 (not that she has ever made it by then!).  We started waking her up around 8:00.  We got her to sit up in the bed, but she just stopped there.  After quite a bit of coaxing, she moved to the chair in her bedroom and promptly went back to sleep.  I couldn't convince her that her next move was to get dressed.  She just picked up the clothes and then set them back down.  Chris was finally able to get her dressed by staying with her.  Next up was breakfast.  She usually can get her cereal by herself and take her morning medications.  Not yesterday.  I set everything out on the table, and we walked with her to the chair.  The problem then was getting her to actually eat.  She stared at the bowl like she wasn't sure what to do with it.  She even fell asleep a time or two.  Once we did get her there, the staff said she stayed the same most of the day.  She usually is very much engaged once she is there, playing the games and talking with her friends.  Yesterday she was lethargic and did her dramatic sigh and "pretend collapse" several times.  She didn't talk much after we got her home, either, although she did tell Chris her back hurt.  We think that's probably because of the way she sits all slumped over on the couch.  We have taken her to the doctor numerous times about this kind of behavior, and so far all we get is the usual "at this age" kind of response.  Very frustrating.  Guess we just have to hang in there and take it one day at a time.

 

I did get started on one garage project.  When we sandblasted and repainted our fireplace after Hurricane Ike, we took off the little decorative gold-colored balls on top.  Yesterday I tried to clean those up.  The bolts are still soaking to fight off some of the rust, but I concentrated on the balls.  They were pretty gritty and they had a lot of scratches all over them, but they are clean now.  I set them on the fireplace and when Chris got home I asked her if she noticed anything different.  And this was a first.  She didn't notice them.  Very unusual for her, but she does have a lot on her mind.  We decided to leave them there for a day or two and see how we like them. 

 

Isaiah 50:10 says, "Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant?  Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God."

 

Father, things have seemed pretty dark around here with our parents.  We are definitely kicking into trusting and relying mode.  Amen.

January 11 – “One of those days”

 

 

"Yesterday was one of those days."  That has always sounded a bit strange to me.  One of which days?  How can you start out with a phrase like that?  It comes straight from the pen that inspired such greats as "you know how they are" and the always mysterious "you know what they say."  Very frustrating to hear and often impossible to understand.  Ah, the world of pronouns with no nouns to refer to.  An English teacher's nightmare.  An old wife's (as in old wives' tale) dream. 

 

I actually thought about doing a whole day's journal on that subject, but I started falling asleep.  So how much worse could my boring day yesterday be than that? 

 

I spent most of the day working on the sermon for Sunday.  It's going to be one of those state of the church, vision-casting kind of things.  But I guess I'm not smart enough to just whip it out in an hour or two.  As it stands now I have it set up as a three-parter, separated by the other aspects of the worship service.  I've done this sort of thing before, so it should work out.  Still have a lot of fine-tuning to do yet. 

 

I helped Chris out with some pictures.  She is putting together a scrapbook of Christmases past, so she has to find just the right pictures to tell the story of each Christmas in our grandkids' lives.  Quite a project, but it already looks like it will be fun to page through.

 

I got a haircut somewhere in there.

 

And Cailyn came by to tell us all about the new princess bed she was going to get.  She was beside herself, bubbling all over the house with the exciting news.  They sent us a picture of it after it was all set up.  It looks great, but I'm still trying to figure out just what makes it a princess bed.  Are they going to put a pea under the mattress?  (That's a little literary allusion.  Pretty funny, huh?).  Cailyn said her plan was to put a bunch of princess stickers on it.  That should work. 

 

Not that she really needs a bed to sleep in.  The other day when she was here, she never took a nap (even though I did while trying to get her to sleep), so by 6:00 she was tired and cranky.  About the she got upset at something random and decided she wanted her Mommy and Daddy to come back.  It wasn't enough just to let her feelings be made known.  She had to make a dramatic exit from the room and send forth some pitiful wails in the process.  She ended up issuing periodic statements from her stronghold under my desk.  And after a while those comments got fewer and farther between as well as quieter and quieter.  We sent in to check on her and she was fast asleep under the desk.  After an hour or so she woke up, and she was fine.  Very happy.  Quite chipper.  Who needs a bed, anyway?  I don't think a pea will be a problem for that little princess.

 

Isaiah 49:13 says, "Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains!  For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones."

 

Father, thank you for every one of "those days" that you grant me.  Each one is one more chance to see the little miracles you perform all around me.  Amen.