Mother

Today in church they decided to talk about Mother in Heaven.  Richard and I left early when the speaker admitted that her desire was based on her childhood decision to be a doctor because they were the boss.  It is already a profoundly moving and important doctrine that our father in heaven is part of a parental pair.  On the other hand it is not salvidic doctrine.  Or any who do not know this aspect of Godhood, that ignorance will not interfere with excepting the atonement of Christ.  I am truly grateful for mother in heaven and I am quite content to wait until I can see her again to learn more of her.

Home

My home is good.  I always discover this again after traveling.  This is especially true now that I am relatively organized.

Mountains and Valleys

I spent the last few days in Zions National Park. Lloyd injured myself in the fall more than a week ago with the help of my red walker I was granted handicap status which insured good suits for me and my two granddaughters and my daughter on the various shuttles and buses.  In consideration of my aching leg I did not attempt to climb my granddaughters and my daughter had some very satisfying hikes and grateful for the beautiful mountains and valleys of the state.

Being Prepared

When I moved into this house nearly twenty years ago I took over a house that seemed to have been purpose built for retirement.  The hallways are generous, there are very few steps, three total on the front door and only one on the back entrance.  The sink in the bathroom was rather low.  I took care of my elderly father during his final six months and for a few more years I took most of the burden of caring for my mother.  Both of them died at home.  When I moved in to care for them I put grab bars in the hallway between their bedroom and the bathroom and had the rugs in kitchen and bathroom replaced with tough vinyl.  As I cared for them I realized that their limited range of motion made it difficult for them to get into the bathtub.  With these observations in mind I remodeled my own bathroom.  I replaced some cabinets with a walk in shower and installed a grab bar at the back.  I reduced the amount of counter space for the sink, which still has more than enough, and put in an apartment sized laundry combination that faces the hallway for ease of access.  In order to accommodate a wheelchair bound friend I made a ramp from a sturdy cherry wood table top that slots over my one step at the side entrance.  When my sisters wanted to donate or sell my father's walker, the kind that has a sit-down seat, I chose to keep it.  It has come in handy several times when I injured my leg or foot.  I am gradually recovering from a fall that wrenched the muscles at the top of my thigh and I am grateful that foresight has made the situation far more convenient than it would have been if I were not prepared.

Layla

Layla is one year old and today her family celebrated her birthday even though it took place several days ago.  Layla is the most diverse of my descendants.  Both her mother and father are from a mix of cultures. Layla is 3/8 Chinese, 3/8 British Isles, Northwestern European and 1/4 Pakistani.  Her big dark eyes and black hair enhance her creamy complexion.  People will wonder where she came from, never guessing that she has pilgrims in her ancestry.  I am grateful for Layla.

Walker

I had my grandson unearth the walker my father used.  I have used it before.  It is not as handy or easily stored as other walkers, but it has a seat.  Today I used it quite a bit.  Then, this evening I went out my back door and had a minor stumble, but it didn't do any favors to the injury in my groin.  I used a sturdy plastic measuring stick and level about four feet long to hobble to my workroom to fetch some spray paint for a project I have underway, making a set of nesting dolls of his family.  I purchased plain wooden blanks and will paint them.  The paint I thought was black is red rust colored, which could have been worse.  I painted the bottoms of the dolls and hobbled back in the house, then used my dining chairs to get closer to my walker.  My sister wanted to donate the walker when we were deciding what to do with the remains of my parent's estate, but I new it would probably come in handy.  This is the third time I've used it.  I'm grateful I kept the walker.

Rest

I'm resting a lot these past few days since I fell on Sunday and injured my lower body on the left side.  Today I had my grandsons pull the cherry red walker out of my work room and dust it.  I used it when I went to the store to purchase a gift card for Rusty for his birthday.  I took Jacqueline along with the intent that she would push the cart while I shopped, however just going into the store from the parking lot wore me out.  Fortunately the walker has a seat and I was able to rest while Jacqueline shopped. I am grateful for rest.