Discontinuing Hope for Health

Today, Beverly, my mother-in-law opted to discontinue the IV and all medications. She could rally, of course, but that's not likely. Her health has continuously faltered for the past few years, and she's not rebounding physically.

In the past few weeks, she's enjoyed the company of her loved ones. Ron flew up there last week, and spent time with her. When she glimpsed him, she almost leaped out bed wth joy, and held onto him tightly. They chatted for hours.

She met with an Episcopal priest on Friday, and he served communion to her and her husband of 55 years on Monday. They were deeply touched, and felt close to God.

So many of you have emailed me to say that she is in your prayers. Thank you.... thank you so very much.

Now would be a good time to keep her in your prayers.

UPDATE - Beverly White will be moving to a hospice in the next day or two. This is her clear choice, and she is at peace.

Rushing Back

As I write these words, my mother-in-law, Beverly, is being rushed from a convalescent facility back to a hospital emergency room. She was at the facility only two days.

It sounds like congestive heart failure, but I'm getting that info secondhand from Ron, who's following the ambulance in his father's car. His father is with his mother.

Ron says it's not her time... but truthfully, he has no idea. A small part of us might always deny it when it's our parents. He said they have the "do not resuscitate" papers in order.

Please say a prayer for her... for what, I'm not sure. For God's peace, I suppose.

Yes, for God's peace that surpasses all human understanding.

Celebrating America on Her 230th Birthday

Katharine Lee Bates wrote the original version of America the Beautiful in 1893. She wrote the 2nd version in 1904. Below is her final version, written in 1913.


America the Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self the country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
od shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America ! America !
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,for man's avail
Men lavished precious life !
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!

Knowing

I've always loved this poem.... For some odd reason, it comes to mind as my mother-in-law struggles today for her life.

She's having emergency heart surgery this morning. No one is sure she'll survive it, but it's necessary. Ron talked to her last night. She sounded strong, confident... even casual. Said she can't she can't wait to see him on Sunday, and hopes she's home by then.

But she knows. Please say a prayer for her.

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manner of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

-- British poet John Donne (1572 - 1631)

Remembering Romans 8:28

Ron's aunt made that dreaded phone call to him tonight. It's time to visit his mother, Beverly, perhaps to lift her spirits.

And perhaps to say good-bye.

She's been in the hospital for 10 days now with pneumonia and related complications. Things were looking slightly better over the weekend, but she had a setback today, and is in intensive care tonight.

The doctors are worried about her heart. Her poor, frail body is exhausted. We all know how truly tired she is....

But it's hard to believe. And Ron's father can't seem to grasp the realities of her illness. He's still making plans to bring her home soon. They've been married for 55 years, and he knows no life without her. She's been his sun and his moon and his guiding star.

God, please grant Ron and me the wisdom to know how to be present for his mother, and how to help his father.

And for us to remember that in all things, you work for the good of those who love you.

Prayer Request for Beverly

Ron's 77-year-old mother, Beverly, is quite ill with pneumonia. She had part of a lung removed last year, and has grown considerably frailer since then. We can't remember the last time she felt well.

Please say a small prayer for her recovery, or at least for her to be strong enough to return home. She's now been in the hospital for six days, and badly wants to leave.

She's tired of the hospital, tired of IVs, and tired of the hospital schedule. Our fear is that she's just very, very deep-down tired.....

Finally Taking the Road Less Traveled

I'm not missing.......just busy.

Been working almost fulltime on my gig as About.com's Guide to US Liberals, and I've also been temp blogging for About.com's Diabetes site. My income there is growing, which is a positive for my family. But I do it for the passion much more than for the income.

As I write this, I'm part of a conference call with Al Gore , and listening to Mr. Gore talking (at this moment) about global warming and the Kyoto Protocol Accords. (He's talking from his home in Nashville.)

We were at a graduation party this afternoon, and we left a few minutes early so I could participate in this Sunday afternoon call.

I've had several successful careers, but I always ultimately ended or limited them, believing that they interfered with my family life, and especially parenting. It's a woman thing. Men don't do that much. I did it out of choice, and without regret.

I think about the roads not taken, though. And I wonder: If I had invested more time and effort, where would those roads have taken me?

Please don't get me wrong.....I have more blessings than one could ever wish for: a loving husband, great children, an adorable granddaughter, caring friends, health and a strong walk with God. And a good doctor, a wonderful church led by two exceptional men of God, and a life full of laughter, books and warmth.

God has gifted mewith another chance, however, to make my mark. To make a difference. And He has his reasons, I suppose. For the past 18 months, I've again limited my work under guise of family needs. And that's partially true.....but I wonder. Am I lazy? Afraid of success? Resistant to changing status quo? Too comfortable?

I blew off attending a three-day conference this weekend in Las Vegas, at which I was supposed to listen to and mingle with the likes of Howard Dean, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid and US Senator Barbara Boxer of California.
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As I sit here, listening to Al Gore, I just had an epiphany.....I'm going to take this professional opportunity the full ten yards. I'm glad we came home early from this afternoon's party. My interests and passions are important, too.

Andrea is in high school, and our other children are responsible adults. Ron works fulltime. This is my time. Finally. And I'm not afraid of success.

God has graciously offered me a rare chance to speak out and be heard. And He's clearly provided the unique and complex path to this point. (The path to here has been incredible, thusfar, to the point of defying coincidence.)

I will take myself seriously. I am not afraid of success. I will follow and trust God's leading. And I will not blow-off any more essential, contact-rich three-day conferences.

To paraphrase my favorite poem, this time around, I will take the road less traveled by, and I have faith that my choice will make all the difference.