Saturday, January 3, 2009

A Sad Holiday

Happy New Year to all of you. Most first year of blogging has passed, and I thank all of you who have read my ramblings, commented, and made this a very fun year. I want to thank GF for turning me on to blogging. Since I can no longer work, it has been a real blessing to channel my thoughts, share hotel stories, and express my feelings. I have not been turning out many posts recently because of a family burden that has left me very sad and unable to be funny right now.

As I have shared with you in the past about my Mother, her strokes, ect, I will share a little about what has happned in the days leading up to the Holidays. About ten days before Christmas, her condition became worse, and my wife, my brother, and my two sisters, along with my 94 year old father, made the heart wrenching decision to put her in a nursing home. She, of course, did not want to go, but it had become impossible for my wife to care for her at home.My wife had actually torn her own her rotary cuff from lifting her. We did promise to bring her home for Christmas, and we kept that promise. We brought her home for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. It was a very trying time, and although we tried everyting to make her Christmas a happy one, her mind was too far gone.

On Dec26th she was retruned to the nursing home in Kellogg. Since then her condition has steadily worsened, and then the day came my sister, who is an administrator of a home in the Seattle area had warned me about. When my wife and I went to visit her on New Year's Day, she did not recognize us. She just sat in her wheelcair and chanted over and over again for someone to please help her. We left so depressed. We will go back today and see how she is doing. Maybe she will have snapped out of it a bit. I only want her to have some peace at the end of her life.
Yesterday as my wife and I took down the family tree and other dcorations, I was reminded of how many things she had made over her life. Most of the ornamnets and deocrations were hand- made, and are indeed works of art. She always made sure Chritams was speceial, and spent countless hours making things, sewing, and doing crafts. As I finished taking down the tree I became very teary eyed, for I realize that this would be the last time these things would be used in the family home.

Yes, she still breathes, but the Mother I knew is long gone. Her mind is going fast, and according to the Doctor her body will not last much longer. We still care for my 94 year old Father at home, and will coninue to do so, He is doing well for his age, but misses his wife of 63 years terribly.

I write these words not asking for your sympathy, but I write them to my blogging friends, and ask you for your prayers and thoughts during this hard time. Thanks you for all being there all year long, and thanks for letting me be part of your lives/

11 comments:

Carol Woolum Roberts said...

You and your family continue to be in my prayers. I pray that you will be given strength and peace in the days ahead. Bless you.

MarmiteToasty said...

Huge hugs (((Cedar))) to you and your family..... I know its a very sad time for you, but think of how blessed you all are to of had your mum and your dad in your lives all these years all those wonderful memories.... and please dont say its the last time the ornaments will be out.... share them around with your siblings so each year you can look at them and smile and remember all those crimbos past....

I dont do god, but my thoughts and best best wishes I send to you and your family at this trying time....

Ive imensely enjoyed your blob over this past year.... Ive loved the stories so much....... return when you are ready, and I for one will be here to read and smile....

peace

x

Cedar Street Kid said...

SVG-thanks for the prayers. You are so very apprecatied.

MT, thoughts ARE prayers, and no matter what we call them, they are powerful and appreciated.

Both of you are very special.

Christy Woolum said...

You and your family will be in my prayers. It is a blessing that your father can still live on his own.

MarmiteToasty said...

(((Cedar)))) still keeping you and your family in me thoughts....

x

Cedar Street Kid said...

Thank you, IEG and MT. Your thoughts and prayers mean very much to me and my family. How wonderful that thoughts and prayers bind people together that have never even physically met.

RAIN said...

HUGS, dad! xo

Cedar Street Kid said...

Thanks, Sweetie-I know you love your grandparents very much!

Go Figure said...

Cedar, better bloggin than drugs, Aye?

Cedar Street Kid said...

Hey, GF, I don't think that I ever took drugs, I don't remember for sure-hm, maybe i did, but I never inhaled.

GF, we moved my Mom to Good Sam in Silverton. Guess who is in the neighbouring room? Mr. amd Mrs. Izler. I coul not believe it. Jane looks like she always did, only in a wheel chair. I didn't see Otto, but he is there

Anonymous said...

Hey Cedar,
I was thinking about you tonight and checked your blog. I am so sorry to hear of your mother's difficulties. God bless you for being good to her and your dad. I had to put my best friend in a nursing home last year. She has been sick for a long time from cancer surgery, but she had a significant downturn and I was not able to give her enough care to let her stay at home. We do the best that we can for those we love and trust that we will never be given more to handle than we can bear.
God bless you and your family!

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