How dare LIFE knock on my door and disturb me from my play time?
I thought if I'd be really quiet, LIFE would not hear me and go bother the people next door.
But then the knocking stopped and the doorbell rang again and again.
To stop the ringing in my head, I answered.
When I opened the door, LIFE nudged it's way in and decided to stay for a while.
Even though LIFE was uninvited and unrelenting, I still felt the need to entertain and be a good hostess.
Doesn't LIFE know that I am playing with my swaps and preparing for upcoming trips? So rude.
So to make a long story short my friends, my Dad has been in the nursing home for the past 2.5 years.
This has been a hell of a week so far since I last posted.
With medicine changes, non communication and lack of compassion from caretakers, I must step set aside from my play time and let LIFE guide me to where I'm needed the most.
I'll be fine as this is not the first time this has happened. I tend to bounce back pretty quickly! ;)
I know that once I appease LIFE, it will then move on to another door and I'll be able to play again...back here in this world!
See you soon friends!
Remember...LIFE is short but we must enjoy and embrace it!
**all of the above photos are from my Western Caribbean Cruise approximately two years ago...oh to be there again...{sigh}**
37 comments:
Good luck with your father. It is wonderful that you can be there for him when he needs you most.
Life certainly does have a way of getting in the way, doesn't it? But, I guess that is what we really get up in the morning for, right? I hope everything goes smoothly...hate to see your cajun feathers get ruffled! I'll be praying for you and your daddy. Good thing I'm MIA(what a laugh!) or I'd be so lonely without you AND Pam!
Debbie
Yes, LIFE has pushed its way into my time before, too. Hang in there, lady. I'm back to teaching tomorrow, but I will check back in with your wonderful blog occasionally.
I feel like you sometimes, but I know you will be blessed for being a great Daughter. I'll keep you in my prayers. Your trip looked wonderful! Just keep thinking good thoughts, and tell us when you're back.
Debra
Life is the rats. But its great that you can put yours on hold for family. Let me know if you need me babe! You know Ill come help with whatever it is even if its cleaning your house! Love ya! big hugs
toodles-
sarah
So sorry to hear about your dad. Well, a girl has to do what a girl has to do. I wish you strenght. Thinking of you and I hope to see you around here again soon.
Jodie: I will keep you and your dad in our hearts and prayers!
See you soon...
Lou Cinda :)
Those pictures are b-e-a-u-tiful. :)
Love you.
Prayers sent for you and your Dad. ~Mindy
My thoughts are with you as you deal with this chapter of LIFE. I know well the issues with aging parents and nursing homes. My father had a relatively short time in the various institutions before he quietly left this world in May. I know the struggles and heartache. LIFE will also let you have a few moments of peace, but you may have to dig for those and take them quickly and preciously!
xo
My prayers are with you, Jodie. xoxo.
Dearest Jodie,
I hope things go well for you and Life...it does seem to have it's own agenda. My best thoughts and prayers bening sent your way.
Kelley
Take care of your family. We will be here waiting for you. I am taking a break too. Blogging needs to wait when life comes knocking. It can be quite persistent. Hugs to you and your Daddy. Take care, Pam
P.S. Gorgeous photos as usual.
You are so right. LIFE never asks permission to take something away or to give you something you can hardly deal with. Just had one of those. I like to pull out photos of really great times and those are good pictures. Will keep you and yours in my prayers. Blessings
QMM
oh jodie.
i will pray
for you and
your family.
take all the
time you need.
take care.
life is short... never leave a word unsaid or love, ungiven... take care of Dad... all else will wait.
Oh Jodie, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad.
It is so hard when life throws, a curve ball.
Sending my prayers and hugs to you to get through these days.
We have been going through much the same with my Parents, Dad's health and the need for care for them.
It is a difficult time.
I love your cruise photos and yes, wouldn't it be nice for you to still be there.
Take care.
Hugs
Carolyn
Jodie...my thoughts and prayers are with you right now.
I took care of my 90 year old Grandfather and I know how hard it can be. I hope you get him settled and back on the right track. ;)
xoxo
Hi Jodie,
Oh LIFE, yes it definitly knocks loud. While you care for the needs of your father, remember to care for the needs of Jodie. Caregiving is hard (and rewarding), but it is easy to forget to take care of the caregiver. I will be thinking of you and sending sweet thoughts your way.
Hugs,
June
WE do get to that point at times. All our attention diverts into something new - something that is inevitable. but you are right, everything will smooth down in the end. And I hope so.
I hope and pray everything will go well with your Dad and the things you are taking of Jodie.
Li
I am sorry..Its so hard when parents are not well..and are getting older so many decisions..I am going thru that too. hang in there.
My Great Grandmother was in a nursing home the year before she passed away. She had wonderful care. But I know the nightmares too, my Grandpa did not have such wonderful treatment , he was in another state and we didn't actually find out all the details of his lack of care from other family members until after he had died. You just never know and have to be vigilant. I hope everything works out for you and your Dad.
So before I read the bottome I am thinking "Life is a cruise ship?", and if it is why the heck hasn't it stopped in at my house?
Alright I am slow with the whole metaphor thing. I hope you have everything straightened out now with your father.
p.s. I happened to stumble upon "Sophies' cousin the other day. She is in a sad state, but I plan to help her get her act together. Maybe next year she can host the tour of my studio?
Jodie, i hope everything works out with your father, i will be thinking of you...and saying a prayer...see you when you get back:)
I understand all too well. Go take care of the important things, hope your father is okay!
Hi , Jodie, I am sorry to hear about your Dad.
I hope everything goes smoothly . xoxo Sue
I'll keep you in my prayers! Life is cruel at times. Hoping you'll have better days ahead. Hugz, Z
My thoughts are with you on this journey. I have cared for 3 aging parents over the years - it is never easy but I would not have missed it for the world. Treasure each and every moment.
Sue E.
Praying for you and your Dad as you work through these issues. My parents are 84 and 79 and live next door to us and I well know how these things go.
Hope all will be well for you soon.
Linda
Jodie,
The pictures are beautiful!!! I'm ready to take a cruise:).
Good luck with everything, I will continue to pray for you and your father. I hope all goes well:).
Blessings,
Kim
Oh Jodie, thank you so much for you electrifying comment on my blog. You are the cutest and I love you. That waster looks so peaceful. I've never been on a cruse. It would be lovely.
I'm so sorry about your father. It's not easy I'm sure. You sound like a very loving daughter and I know your doing the right thing. I'll pray for you to be able to endure while you make a big difference in an old gentlemans life.
Life does have a way of interfering when we least want it to. I am thinking of you and saying a prayer for you and your Dad.
I'm having a little visit from LIFE myself right now.
But . . . I'll get through this. It's just a little inconvenient.
Hugs my friend! Karen
Oh Jodie! I can sooo identify! I've been caretaking my father for 11 years.....pace yourself. Life does get bumpy, but remember that you can't help others unless you take good care of yourself in all the ways that matter.
When all is said and done during these hard times, you will one day reflect these times with much love and pride that you did the best you were able to make your Dad feel loved and safe. Blessings
My dear Little One~~
I am soooooo worried about Daddy's rapid decline...
I am soooooo worried about you,
about Penny....
My heart and prayers are with you and Penny AND Daddy. I miss him so much, and it has been very hard to live away and be so out of touch. Each time I've went home to visit, I noticed the lack of memory, the weakened physical state, disorientation, his moods, all which have worsened every time over the months. I leave grieving that the next time I see him, he will be worse, it is inevitable.
I will never see him like that again! We are losing our father--emotionally and physically. And that is extremely difficult. Especially on the ones in a different way, who see him everyday, and go through it with him... how much does he see in himself of losing his quality of life, of who he is....
You and Penny do have limits of all what yall are able to do to make a difference in his well-being. Easier said then done I know.... I can't imagine, truly imagine all what yall have endured and will face...
Know yall are the best daughters you can be,
Know that he is very blessed to have yall, watching over him, monitoring the healthcare workers, taking care of him, tending to his business and well-being,
Know that his aging, his illness, alzheimers, diabetes, heart disease, physical limitations, his 'just not-with-it' days, his angry & frustrated days, the days he can't remember your name....
Are all part of his illness...
Do not get disheartened or take it personally...hate the disease, and know that you and Penny are doing all what yall can possibly do and even more....
Know to take care of yourself...
He would want yall to take care of yourselves...He has no idea what his health is doing to yall...
Know he loves yall,
Know his suffering most likely will continue to worsen...
Know yall need to trust that God is all-knowing, all-loving, and His Goodness and Mercy will shine forth through all of the ugliness of what is going on with Daddy.
Know that I am with you in spirit...
Always,
Every day,
Each moment you suffer, I suffer along with you...
I love you more, everyday, for what yall are doing for Daddy....
And for the way his suffering and challenges have made you and Penny the people yall are today.
OXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
How does this prayer go?? I will leave you with this prayer....
which grounds me,
gives me strength,
reminds me I am never alone, provides hope, peace, and love
at any moment I call upon it!
I do love yall,
and know and trust
that my heart,
prayers,
hugs,
smiles,
tears,
are united with yall,
ever so much more at times like these.
The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Although known most widely in its abbreviated form above,
the entire prayer reads as follows:
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Hope everything is better now. I've been having a crazy time too. Hopefully I'll get back on blogtrack soon!
VictorianGypsy
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