I see that it has been a year since I have posted anything. Sometimes silence is golden. :-)
And now a word about Obama Care. From what I understand, it has very little to do with care and a great deal to do with redistribution of wealth and services mainly away from the elderly. This causes me to wonder a great deal about the motives of the architects of this inhumane bit of foolery which has been foisted upon the American public. There is something cruel and arbitrary about a society which discards its elders and the unborn. These words are quite an understatement. I wonder about those whose thinking is guided by such an ideology. Do they not realize that they too, if they are lucky, will someday reach the other side of life? Do they not anticipate what will happen to them if such public policy is left in place? Since, paradigm shifts never stay in one place but continue to evolve once set in motion, one wonders where this will all lead. Cannibalizing an entire segment of a population is never a good idea, because as we all know; you are what you eat!
And this reminds me....my new favorite TV program is Betty White's Off Their Rockers on NBC. Have you seen it?
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Friday, April 15, 2011
Chemo
I was up early this morning. After being sick yesterday with some kind of GI bug, I realized about 4:30am that I wasn't going to be up to taking Jack (our Ruby Cavalier) to Auburn for his second round of chemo. So, I waved meekly at Paul and Jack as they pulled out of the driveway bound for Alabama.
Since we haven't be able to bathe Jack for the last month I decided to get out the brush and grooming spray to "freshen" him up a bit. Before signing onto write I looked up my friend's blog to see how she is coping with her chemo. Oddly enough she and Jack are both on the same chemo regime. She wrote about her extreme fatigue and her hypersensitivity to smells. Specifically she wrote about a care giver's perfume and how it was difficult to tolerate. AND so now, I'm sitting thinking that spraying poor Jack with grooming spray was a terrible idea. Can you imagine how magnified his doggie sense of smell has become if he is experiencing the same side effects as my friend? If he could only speak, I wonder what he would be saying to me about right now.
And then, of course, there are the other "boys." Robbie and Gus were devastated when only Jack got to go to the car this morning. It's been nearly three hours and they haven't budged from the back door.
As for me, I'm exhausted and need to return to my bed. Time to grab an afghan and a pup and seek the rest my body is requiring.
Since we haven't be able to bathe Jack for the last month I decided to get out the brush and grooming spray to "freshen" him up a bit. Before signing onto write I looked up my friend's blog to see how she is coping with her chemo. Oddly enough she and Jack are both on the same chemo regime. She wrote about her extreme fatigue and her hypersensitivity to smells. Specifically she wrote about a care giver's perfume and how it was difficult to tolerate. AND so now, I'm sitting thinking that spraying poor Jack with grooming spray was a terrible idea. Can you imagine how magnified his doggie sense of smell has become if he is experiencing the same side effects as my friend? If he could only speak, I wonder what he would be saying to me about right now.
And then, of course, there are the other "boys." Robbie and Gus were devastated when only Jack got to go to the car this morning. It's been nearly three hours and they haven't budged from the back door.
As for me, I'm exhausted and need to return to my bed. Time to grab an afghan and a pup and seek the rest my body is requiring.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Legend Of The Dogwood
The Legend of the Dogwood
In Jesus time, the dogwood grew
To a stately size and a lovely hue.
'Twas strong & firm it's branches interwoven
For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.
Seeing the distress at this use of their wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
"Never again shall the dogwood grow
Large enough to be used so
Slender & twisted, it shall be
With blossoms like the cross for all to see.
As blood stains the petals marked in brown
The blossom's center wears a thorny crown.
All who see it will remember me
Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.
Cherished and protected this tree shall be
A reminder to all of my agony."
In Jesus time, the dogwood grew
To a stately size and a lovely hue.
'Twas strong & firm it's branches interwoven
For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.
Seeing the distress at this use of their wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
"Never again shall the dogwood grow
Large enough to be used so
Slender & twisted, it shall be
With blossoms like the cross for all to see.
As blood stains the petals marked in brown
The blossom's center wears a thorny crown.
All who see it will remember me
Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.
Cherished and protected this tree shall be
A reminder to all of my agony."
Spring!
It's Spring in Georgia! Today was gorgeous. Everything, and I mean everything is in bloom. I found myself way too distracted as I ran errands today, because I couldn't help wanting to gawk at the dogwoods, the phlox, the azaleas and the brilliant scarlet cardinals flying around. Bumble bees are buzzing around the patio and the gold fish in the little pond out back are playful. If King David had lived in Georgia during Spring, I'm sure he would have been moved to pen a psalm to the delicate showy beauty that we see all about. Being a Southerner by birth, I can't help but think of the Legend of the Dogwood. What a gorgeous reminder of the incomparable gift of our Passover Lamb!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Things That Are Broken
I had to take my dog to the vet today to have his blood drawn. Since he started chemotherapy last week, we have to check his white count, among other things, to ensure that it doesn't dip too low. As I was driving home I got to thinking and praying about things and people I know who are broken; some broken by illness, some broken by shattered relationships, some broken by fear or bitterness or any number of other experiences. It is tempting to wax philosophic and surrender to the idea that this is just part of life and one can't dwell too long on such things for fear of being emotionally swamped. However, I kept remembering a verse in Isaiah. Actually, the Holy Spirit brought it to my remembrance, because Jesus said He would. The verse is Isaiah 42:3. " A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth." I thought about my friend who was given no hope by her surgeon after discovering cancer, and of my other friend whose sister is apparently dying of cancer and will leave behind an 11 yr old son. I thought about my mother who is suffering from Alzheimer's and of my father whose heart is frail and weak. I thought about how lonely he is and how he longs to share his sorrow with the woman he has been married to for well over 50 years, yet, he cannot because that woman is gone. Something else has taken over her mind and he feels as though he's living with a stranger; and not a very friendly one at that. I thought about so many other things that appear to me to be shattered and broken beyond earthly repair. And then I looked down at my dog's sweet face so full of trust and love and I almost lost it. My heart was crying out, "Oh, Lord, how can all of these things be mended? I know full well that some or all of them will not be. My faith is small and I just can't see!"
John Donne wrote once that nothing is lost that cannot be found and nothing is broken that cannot be mended. At least, I think it was him. At any rate, it occurs to me that we all live within the shadow of Genesis 3. We are all subject to the Fall and we live in a broken, frightening, fallen world. We all are fragile reeds that need redemption of one sort or another. And here is where the doctor's wife's life comes to the fore. My husband said to me as we were getting ready for bed last night, "I wish I could tell you about today. I wish I could unload on you, but I can't. It's too horrible." I thoughtlessly quipped, " Oh, come on! You can tell me anything." And he said, " If I tell you about it, I'll have to remember how bad the smell was." It was at this point that I realized there are some things I do not want to know. This fallen world is sometimes ugly and doesn't smell good or sweet. It can be anything but intoxicating to the senses.
Then it hit me. Jesus saw things like that and more. Jesus walked this earth healing the sick and dying. I learned this in Sunday School a gazillion years ago. Jesus went about healing the sick and doing good. In my Sunday School, 8 year old version of Jesus going about healing the sick and doing good, it never occurred to me that He encountered things like dirt and sweat and body odor and bad breath and stinking putrid stuff. He saw it all. And He didn't wince or turn away. He didn't throw up His hands and exclaim, "Enough!" He just went about mending what was broken. I believe He mended what was eternally broken, as well as what was temporally broken. Nothing is broken or shattered or lost when laid at the feet of Jesus. After all, He fashioned this creation which He came to mend and to redeem. He came for 11 year old boys and tiny babies and even the unborn. He mended old women and young men and all sorts of broken people who submitted themselves to Him; who cried out for the Son of David. To those who were dying He was/is the fragrance of life everlasting.
So, I came home this afternoon intending to do something else. But, I was compelled to find that Scripture verse in Isaiah about the broken reed and smoking flax. And I did. But, you know what? Across the open page is Isaiah 43. It's a wonderful chapter of prophecy about the Lord being the only redeemer. The first few verses bear repeating here. "But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior....Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee......" If you feel broken or shattered today, or if you hurt for someone who is, know this. Jesus will not lose a single soul entrusted to Him. He will mend what is broken. He will blow the breath of life into what is smoldering in your heart. He promises in Isaiah 43: 13; " Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let [reverse; undo] it?" We can trust Him with all the impossibly broken things in life and rest in the fact that He will redeem that which is given to Him.
John Donne wrote once that nothing is lost that cannot be found and nothing is broken that cannot be mended. At least, I think it was him. At any rate, it occurs to me that we all live within the shadow of Genesis 3. We are all subject to the Fall and we live in a broken, frightening, fallen world. We all are fragile reeds that need redemption of one sort or another. And here is where the doctor's wife's life comes to the fore. My husband said to me as we were getting ready for bed last night, "I wish I could tell you about today. I wish I could unload on you, but I can't. It's too horrible." I thoughtlessly quipped, " Oh, come on! You can tell me anything." And he said, " If I tell you about it, I'll have to remember how bad the smell was." It was at this point that I realized there are some things I do not want to know. This fallen world is sometimes ugly and doesn't smell good or sweet. It can be anything but intoxicating to the senses.
Then it hit me. Jesus saw things like that and more. Jesus walked this earth healing the sick and dying. I learned this in Sunday School a gazillion years ago. Jesus went about healing the sick and doing good. In my Sunday School, 8 year old version of Jesus going about healing the sick and doing good, it never occurred to me that He encountered things like dirt and sweat and body odor and bad breath and stinking putrid stuff. He saw it all. And He didn't wince or turn away. He didn't throw up His hands and exclaim, "Enough!" He just went about mending what was broken. I believe He mended what was eternally broken, as well as what was temporally broken. Nothing is broken or shattered or lost when laid at the feet of Jesus. After all, He fashioned this creation which He came to mend and to redeem. He came for 11 year old boys and tiny babies and even the unborn. He mended old women and young men and all sorts of broken people who submitted themselves to Him; who cried out for the Son of David. To those who were dying He was/is the fragrance of life everlasting.
So, I came home this afternoon intending to do something else. But, I was compelled to find that Scripture verse in Isaiah about the broken reed and smoking flax. And I did. But, you know what? Across the open page is Isaiah 43. It's a wonderful chapter of prophecy about the Lord being the only redeemer. The first few verses bear repeating here. "But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior....Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee......" If you feel broken or shattered today, or if you hurt for someone who is, know this. Jesus will not lose a single soul entrusted to Him. He will mend what is broken. He will blow the breath of life into what is smoldering in your heart. He promises in Isaiah 43: 13; " Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let [reverse; undo] it?" We can trust Him with all the impossibly broken things in life and rest in the fact that He will redeem that which is given to Him.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Jack
For those of you who know me, you know that I share my life with my husband of 22 yrs. and three Cavalier King Charles Spaniels; Jack, Gus and Robbie. We feel greatly blessed to have stumbled across one of the best Cavalier breeders in the country and have enjoyed 5 of her beautiful dogs in our home, to date.
These wonderful little spaniels have graced our home since 1995 and have added a layer to our lives which is filled with sweetness, great joy and an unencumbered passion for the breed. We didn't mean to, but we have become "those people." You know the ones who think that everyone is as taken with their dog as they are. Hint: if you ever see me and ask about our dogs, be prepared to gaze adoringly at several of the latest photos.
We like to take our little guys to the park and walk the wonderful trails together. We love seeing the faces of our community both young and old and everyone in between. It has become a regular occurrence for us to be stopped at some point along our walk to receive compliments on our Cavaliers. Indeed, if you've ever watched a Cavalier strut his/her stuff on a stroll in the park or in the show ring, it is a sight to behold. The emotions these little ones endlessly churn up in my heart is sheer joy, so much so that as we walk the trail the cadence in my step sounds sort of like happy, happy, joy, joy --- happy, happy, joy, joy!!
Anyway, you get the point. It's just really difficult to have a bad day in the park with Gus, my 3 year old Blenhiem. Notice that Cavaliers are born into one of four color groups. These being Blenheim, Tri-Color, Black & Tan or Ruby. Gus is a born explorer and a great talker. More about that later. He loves to get in the car and go, go, go and he truly dreams about the park. And, of course, he is beauty in motion as his fur is soft and silky and flies back from his face & legs as he trots along by my side. Gus never does anything half way and so he often abandons himself to the pursuit of pursuing, especially anything that flies. And in his pursuing he has the most wonderful expression of curiosity and attentiveness which is punctuated by a great big grin from ear to ear. Yes, I know that there are those who say that dogs don't smile. These are obviously folk
who have never shared more than a passing pat with a dog. Those of us who are devotees, know better.
Jan Karon referred to her dog as "the heart beat at my feet." This is truly the case with our little Ruby Cavalier, Jack. Today is a gorgeous spring day and we would all love to be traipsing through the park and exploring as much as possible before night fall. That, however, is not possible, as Jack has undergone surgery this week. We are hoping and praying that the Lord, with the surgeon's help, has seen fit to spare Jack's life. It was determined last week that Jack had a small pea-sized tumor and that it should be removed ASAP. I'll spare you the gruesome details. Suffice it to say that this is the 2nd full day after surgery and Jack is uncomfortable and in some pain.
My darling, gave me Jack as a present in the Fall of 2002. That Christmas I had Jack's papers and document of ownership transferred to my husband's name. It was the only sensible thing to do since Paul was completely smitten with him at first sight. Upon opening his Christmas present (yes, I re-gifted!) I noticed tears roll down his cheeks; one of two times, I've ever seen him cry.
Over the years, Jack has been our napping buddy; the sweet faced boy of whom we cannot seem to get enough photos. I've watched him roam our back yard as the sun was lowering in the southwest. It was these special moments in which Jack would be back lit by the sinking orange sun and his beautifully elegant ruby coat would sparkle like spun rose gold which took my breath away. God certainly spoke to us of His genius when He designed Jack, for He gave him the deepest, darkest, almost black eyes combined with the innocent, gentle expression of an empathetic soul. It is this expression combined with what we lovingly refer to as "the paw," that captures our hearts day after day. No one suffers alone in this house as Jack is Comforter-In-Chief, second only and perhaps inspired by the precious Holy Spirit himself. "The Paw" reaches out to lightly touch a face, a shoulder, a knee as if to say, "there, there" ! "The Paw" has also been known to reach into forbidden regions to retrieve whatever it may from an available plate left unattended, or to touch the arm which is holding the plate, to remind whose ever arm it is that there are always others with whom one may share their bounty.
Today, however, Jack and his paw have been rather subdued and not very interested in the treasures one finds on napkins or saucers. Today he wants a warm lap and a gentle hand across his head. He wants the soft voice of comfort which tells him he will be alright. Time to set aside my ramblings and focus on Jack to let him know he's loved and that we are grateful to Jesus for the wonders He has made for our dominion and blessing. Dear Reader, let me commend you to Romans 8:18-23, as we all wait patiently for the redemption of these bodies.
These wonderful little spaniels have graced our home since 1995 and have added a layer to our lives which is filled with sweetness, great joy and an unencumbered passion for the breed. We didn't mean to, but we have become "those people." You know the ones who think that everyone is as taken with their dog as they are. Hint: if you ever see me and ask about our dogs, be prepared to gaze adoringly at several of the latest photos.
We like to take our little guys to the park and walk the wonderful trails together. We love seeing the faces of our community both young and old and everyone in between. It has become a regular occurrence for us to be stopped at some point along our walk to receive compliments on our Cavaliers. Indeed, if you've ever watched a Cavalier strut his/her stuff on a stroll in the park or in the show ring, it is a sight to behold. The emotions these little ones endlessly churn up in my heart is sheer joy, so much so that as we walk the trail the cadence in my step sounds sort of like happy, happy, joy, joy --- happy, happy, joy, joy!!
Anyway, you get the point. It's just really difficult to have a bad day in the park with Gus, my 3 year old Blenhiem. Notice that Cavaliers are born into one of four color groups. These being Blenheim, Tri-Color, Black & Tan or Ruby. Gus is a born explorer and a great talker. More about that later. He loves to get in the car and go, go, go and he truly dreams about the park. And, of course, he is beauty in motion as his fur is soft and silky and flies back from his face & legs as he trots along by my side. Gus never does anything half way and so he often abandons himself to the pursuit of pursuing, especially anything that flies. And in his pursuing he has the most wonderful expression of curiosity and attentiveness which is punctuated by a great big grin from ear to ear. Yes, I know that there are those who say that dogs don't smile. These are obviously folk
who have never shared more than a passing pat with a dog. Those of us who are devotees, know better.
Jan Karon referred to her dog as "the heart beat at my feet." This is truly the case with our little Ruby Cavalier, Jack. Today is a gorgeous spring day and we would all love to be traipsing through the park and exploring as much as possible before night fall. That, however, is not possible, as Jack has undergone surgery this week. We are hoping and praying that the Lord, with the surgeon's help, has seen fit to spare Jack's life. It was determined last week that Jack had a small pea-sized tumor and that it should be removed ASAP. I'll spare you the gruesome details. Suffice it to say that this is the 2nd full day after surgery and Jack is uncomfortable and in some pain.
My darling, gave me Jack as a present in the Fall of 2002. That Christmas I had Jack's papers and document of ownership transferred to my husband's name. It was the only sensible thing to do since Paul was completely smitten with him at first sight. Upon opening his Christmas present (yes, I re-gifted!) I noticed tears roll down his cheeks; one of two times, I've ever seen him cry.
Over the years, Jack has been our napping buddy; the sweet faced boy of whom we cannot seem to get enough photos. I've watched him roam our back yard as the sun was lowering in the southwest. It was these special moments in which Jack would be back lit by the sinking orange sun and his beautifully elegant ruby coat would sparkle like spun rose gold which took my breath away. God certainly spoke to us of His genius when He designed Jack, for He gave him the deepest, darkest, almost black eyes combined with the innocent, gentle expression of an empathetic soul. It is this expression combined with what we lovingly refer to as "the paw," that captures our hearts day after day. No one suffers alone in this house as Jack is Comforter-In-Chief, second only and perhaps inspired by the precious Holy Spirit himself. "The Paw" reaches out to lightly touch a face, a shoulder, a knee as if to say, "there, there" ! "The Paw" has also been known to reach into forbidden regions to retrieve whatever it may from an available plate left unattended, or to touch the arm which is holding the plate, to remind whose ever arm it is that there are always others with whom one may share their bounty.
Today, however, Jack and his paw have been rather subdued and not very interested in the treasures one finds on napkins or saucers. Today he wants a warm lap and a gentle hand across his head. He wants the soft voice of comfort which tells him he will be alright. Time to set aside my ramblings and focus on Jack to let him know he's loved and that we are grateful to Jesus for the wonders He has made for our dominion and blessing. Dear Reader, let me commend you to Romans 8:18-23, as we all wait patiently for the redemption of these bodies.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
My Voice
I wrote the previous post some months ago in answer to a friend whose grown child had chosen to reject her and cut her completely out of her life. My friend is a woman who is ill and suffers greatly both physically and emotionally. I didn't know what to say to her and so I began writing in an effort to express what I know to be true.
Since then, I have heard from other friends who are also facing terrible circumstances in life which involve rejection, suffering, dire illness, grave loss. If you spend enough time on this earth, you, too, will encounter such things. And, you must somehow know how to separate the true from the trite.
I have experienced a portion of suffering, rejection and bewilderment in my journey. I have seen grave illnesses, been rejected by a much loved child. I've had to relinquish loved ones and dear friends to death. The question arises, how does one endure without cynicism? How do you keep the melody of your life singing in your heart? As a physician's wife, I hear a lot (somethings I wish I didn't know about); I see a lot. This is my voice and my response to some of what I have encountered.
Since then, I have heard from other friends who are also facing terrible circumstances in life which involve rejection, suffering, dire illness, grave loss. If you spend enough time on this earth, you, too, will encounter such things. And, you must somehow know how to separate the true from the trite.
I have experienced a portion of suffering, rejection and bewilderment in my journey. I have seen grave illnesses, been rejected by a much loved child. I've had to relinquish loved ones and dear friends to death. The question arises, how does one endure without cynicism? How do you keep the melody of your life singing in your heart? As a physician's wife, I hear a lot (somethings I wish I didn't know about); I see a lot. This is my voice and my response to some of what I have encountered.
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