Re-Focus On Joy

On July 6, I wrote in this blog, "It has been a challenge to find joy over the last several days as back pain has flared and digestive issues have taken a lot of my attention."  Today, as long as I am very careful, my back pain is much less, although it sometimes flares up for no apparent reason.  My digestive issues continue, with only short respites when I fast and take OTC medication.

I am less inclined to pay attention to the problems of others (real or fictional) as they tend to contribute to a sense of discouragement.  Not only can the evening news be distressing; even a "Masterpiece Classic" on PBS can be gloomy.

Sometimes words of encouragement do lift my spirits, however, and I have read and re-read these words from Isaiah 55 over the past week:

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Lights In My Life

My sister (that is, my other sister - not the one whose photos were in my last blog entry) shared these photos with me recently.

They were taken on June 25 at the Relay For Life to benefit the American Cancer Society in Hillsboro, Oregon.

I made these luminaria in memory of my beloved friends Laurence, Marie, Barbara, and Jae - who continue to be lights in my life today.

These pictures are precious because they illustrate the glow of love and gratitude I feel when I think of these people I have known.  I am thankful, too, for my sister and her thoughtfulness in taking these photos.

Looking Skyward

One of my sisters took these photos from the car as we drove home from visiting Mom last month.  First, we noticed a white jetstream. 

Then we noticed a second jetstream forming, almost perpendicular to the first.  As we watched, the two jetstreams intersected.

Call it "a cross in the sky" or "X marks the spot" - either way, it was spectacular.

After spending most of the day focusing on details of Mom's care, and meeting with staff about moving Mom to another part of the residence where she can receive more support, this was an opportunity to raise our eyes to the heavens and look at the bigger picture.

Finishing Up 2010

My sister and I have set Monday, July 18, as our day to finish the paperwork for Mom's 2010 tax returns and send it off to her accountant.  Reviewing some of these documents reminds me of all that's happened over the past few years with Mom and her house and our family.

For several months, we had talked about moving Mom into assisted living - we'd even turned down an opening that was offered to us in December of 2008.  We told them to keep us on the list for the next opening, never dreaming it would come in less than 30 days. 

By the first week of March 2009, we had moved Mom into her studio apartment at Mennonite Village - a big change for her after living for 47 years in the 4-bedroom family home in Corvallis.  That spring, we began to interview realtors and start the process of clearing out almost 50 years of accumulated possessions.

We held a family work party where we cleared out the garage, then moved everything out of the attic into the garage.  We held numerous yard sales.  Things really accelerated in August with house painting and a kitchen remodel.  And, we were still trying to empty most of the house for "staging."

The house went on the market in October 2009, and we felt we could breathe a little sign of relief, even while crossing our fingers that the perfect buyer would show up. 

Soon after the holidays, word came that there was an opening for Mom in the Alzheimer's/dementia residence at Mennonite Village.  After less than 11 months in assisted living, she moved to what would probably be her final home at the beginning of February 2010.

Things had been slow in the real estate market over the winter, so our realtor planned an open house for April 2010.  This prompted us to redouble our efforts to make the house as presentable as possible, and within weeks we had received an offer.  Counter offers came next, followed by various inspections and alterations and negotiations.  By June, the house was sold.

So much happened in 2009 and 2010 that already it is beginning to get fuzzy in my memory.  Sometimes it is hard to believe it all happened.  But, looking at the paperwork, I am reminded of all there was to do, all those who helped us do it, and all that we accomplished.

Stay tuned.

Joy

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you . . ."  (St. Paul in I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

I read a passage about joy this evening.  It stated that it is possible to find joy even during the most difficult times. 

This reading reminded me of my blog entry of December 18, 2010, where I said, "Moments of joy might show up more frequently in my life if I release my preconceptions about what joy is 'supposed' to look like." 

It has been a challenge to find joy over the last several days as back pain has flared and digestive issues have taken a lot of my attention.  Even the treatments that are supposed to move me in the direction of better health are not very pleasant sometimes.

What a good time to remember that the tiniest flower or the smallest gesture or the briefest word may be an opportunity to rejoice.

"Rejoice evermore.  Rejoice evermore.  Oh, I wish that it was always in my heart and in my tongue."  (John Adams as portrayed in HBO mini-series)

Speeding Along

It's now official - we are halfway through 2011, and I am 3/4 of the way through Sandi's Sixtieth Year.

It's easy to think about what I haven't done, what goals I haven't completed, what things I've procrastinated on, and what intentions seem to have fallen by the wayside.

So, I'm going to turn my attention to the progress I have made by updating my Twelve Month Plan and writing in my personal journal.  I want to focus on what has happened, how I have been blessed, and where I want to go from here.

Stay tuned.