January 16, 2011

 What a peaceful Sunday this has been.  Mom has slept nearly all day and is now all curled up in a ball in the recliner.  I finally had to coax her awake because we were having company.  Stacie was coming and Aunt Lorraine came too.  I told her she had to open her eyes and stop being such a lazy bones because all of us girls were meeting at the table for tea and food.  It didn't really seem to impress her because she kept closing her eyes.  Well, I got her up and into the potty and made ourselves presentable.  She and Aunt Lorraine came meandering down the hallway.  She really is having a hard time making her legs and arms do what they are supposed to.  The thing that really strikes me is that this has progressed so quickly.  Just last week she was wandering around bending over and picking things up and trying to eat a brillo pad.  I sat with her in her room for awhile today just watching her and praying for strength and wisdom to know what to do. As I sat there I wondered if perhaps she's had another TIA (like a small stroke) in her sleep.  With this rapid a decline something had to have happened.  Sorry, I got off on a bunny trail, so back to our daily adventures.  We got to the table and the girls began to get her to eat.  I tell you all, she much prefers chocolate pudding than anything else.  She did eat quite a bit of home canned apple sauce.  I gave Stacie the chocolate pudding and applesauce to feed her because I fear Stacie is still recovering from lasts week reprimand from Grandma. The girls got a tiny bit of hotdog, and cheese and Ensure into her and then her beloved cantalope.  You know when she's had enough to eat because she clamps her little jaws together and closes her eyes.  I sat watching all of us women around the table in Mom's house thinking how many times we have all gathered there drinking our ever present tea and munching on well, whatever.  Mom is still the glue that is holding this family together.  As I watched all of us I realized that Mom is passing on the glue jar to her own daughters/granddaughters/all female members of our family (and oh yes guys, you too) to continue to hold our families together just like she always did.  Glue also to fix all the things that get broken, feelings that get hurt, hearts that are broken, relationships that have been cracked and yes, even broken.  That is what we all need to learn from Martha Marie Harvey Ormsbee, that it is okay to sometimes just keep your thoughts to yourself so someone else will be spared, to turn the other cheek, to love asking for nothing in return, to make the best of any situation and be thankful to God for his abiding peace, to always take time to stop and enjoy the little things provided for us, to always have an open heart and an open home for anyone who needs it, and to love and serve God above all else.  As I sit here watching my tiny Mama sleep on my couch I am sure I see a halo over her head - and she doesn't even know it!  Thank God for all things!   Good night all.