Back to Normal

Daughter wasn't home very long last night before she was informing me (in sweet, dulcet tones, of course) that I was ruining her life. I actually expected her to help with laundry! I'm so unreasonable. I told her she didn't have to if she didn't want to have any clean clothes to wear. I can be reasonable. I took my clothes out of the dryer and took care of them, but hers I dumped on top of the washing machine.

.

Dad is being admitted to the hospital today. He was getting weaker with each passing day, and his kidney function was declining. He's also becoming increasingly confused. All of this, of course, is a direct result of his congestive heart failure. He will be sent to the nursing home where his doctor is medical director for rehab, and when he is sent for rehab, Mom will be taken off hospice and sent there for rehab, as well. The improvement she was experiencing with each passing day was amazing. Of course, improvement is relative. She'll never be able to carry on a conversation with us again.

.

Brother has renewed his campaign to have them in a nursing home closer to him. At this point, our priority is still having their doctor overseeing their care. Brother just doesn't seem to be able to understand our concerns in that area. We don't know yet what the long term answer is going to be for them. Our hope is that the time in rehab overseen by their doctor will give us a better idea of what kind of care they need and how best to provide for that. We still are facing some very tough decisions, but our hope is that this will give us more information to help us make those decisions.

.

I don't know when I'm going to be headed back in that direction. We're into Holy Week now, and my focus needs to be on worship and the needs of my congregation. I didn't get anything done on a sermon for tomorrow while I was away. I need to get out to visit the shut-ins with communion this week. Ministry here among my people will take my time and energy this week.

.

Hopefully, Daughter will be somewhat cooperative. Hopefully. At least she'll be at the workshop all day in her normal routine. That will help. I'll also print out a calendar with a schedule of chores and the menu for the week and put it on the refrigerator. That also helps her feel more secure.

.

I don't know where the roller coaster will take us next. I don't know how much longer we'll be forced to ride it. I do know, however, that eventually my parents will be "called home and made young again."