Am I Thankful? Yes I Am!

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the US, when families get together, eat turkey and reflect on what they are thankful for.

I'm thankful that when I called my mom, who has Alzheimer's Disease, I got her to stop crying by talking about my daughter Becca.  Becca  has Autism and cannot talk. When I spoke sadly about this, my mom stopped crying to remind me that Becca is a wonderful girl.

And Becca used her Assistive Communication Device to say "Turkey" without any prompting. Becca is a wonderful girl, and I have a wonderful mother.

Thanks, God!

Going To Church With The White Rabbit

I took my Mom to church today, as I do every Sunday. She has Alzheimer's disease, and I recently get her to stop driving. So instead of meeting her at church, I pick her up on the way. I used to call her once I arrived at her condo building, and then she'd come down from her apartment. Once she waited in the lobby, but since she doesn't have a cell phone, it made more sense (to me, anyway) for her to wait in her apartment in case I had to call her about a delay.

Because of her disease, she is losing her ability to keep track of plans and upcoming events. Last night when we spoke on the phone, I told her to wait in her apartment. She didn't really understand why, even after I told her, but she said she would. She would have preferred to wait in the lobby.

She called back a few minutes later and asked me to repeat those plans so she could write them down. I did: "On Sunday at 8:00 AM, I will wait for Paul in my apartment. He will call me on the phone when it's time for me to come down to the lobby." When she read it back to me, she said "On Sunday at 8:00 AM, I will wait for Paul in the lobby..." but I stopped her and said "No! Wait for me in your apartment!" She corrected herself. I don't know if she wrote it wrong or read it wrong.

She called back a few minutes later and said she didn't know what to do Sunday morning. "Should I just wait for you in the lobby?" I said "Yes! That's a great idea! And no matter what, no matter where you wait, I'll be able to find you."

This morning, I arrived on time, and there was Mom in the lobby as planned. She doesn't wear a wristwatch anymore, she was sitting there holding her alarm clock on her lap. It was a little bizarre, like I was picking up the White Rabbit from Alice In Wonderland.

Gratitude
I'm grateful that I can still take my Mom out to church, and then leave her on her own at her Independent Living apartment for the day. I'm grateful she still can make sense of the church service. I grateful we still enjoy each other's company.

Mom Has Alzheimer's Disease

I took Mom to church today, like always. I've been a little worried because I'll be traveling on business this week. I worried a little more as I drove to pick her up from her Independent Living apartment and she wasn't answering her phone. I thought it would be so nice for Mom if she died in her sleep, maybe that's what happened. She was waiting for me just inside the front door, which I've told her is bad. She should wait in her apartment, and if I'm delayed I can tell her on the phone. Her hair was crazy looking because the wind had blown it when she walked around the block looking for me.

Mom's shoes were too big, so she was having trouble walking. She wanted to take them off and walk, but I told her not to. She had a hard time at church following the service, picking up the right hymnal, finding the hymn. She remembered to bring her little hymnal, but there was no offering envelope in it. Last time I looked, there were two, one for this week, and one that had been left behind from last week. I asked about it, and she said she had it in her purse. She pulled out  some other kind of envelope. I held it against the light and there was an offering envelope inside. Mom had written on the offering envelope that there was $60.00 inside, but it was empty. Her world is very confusing to her. It's disorienting just to talk to her.

I am grateful that she is still pleasant, and happy to see me, and easy for people to get along with. I'm grateful that I have the support of my family and my brother and sister. I'm grateful that she has savings that will pay for what she needs. I'm grateful that I have 17 days of work through the end of the year. I'm grateful for the time I have with my family. I'm grateful that I could go to the WindyCon and be an author for a day.

Luther's Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer 

In the morning, when you rise, you shall bless yourself with the holy cross and say:

In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord's Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer:

I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray Thee to keep me this day also from sin and all evil, that all my doings and life may please Thee. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Then go to your work with joy, singing a hymn, as the Ten Commandments, or what your devotion may suggest.

Work, memories and peace

Thanks, Lord, for more hours at work for MB. Thanks for her being okay with that. Thanks for it not being a game-changer for me.

Thanks for video from 1999. Thanks for the big snow. Thanks for all the grandparents alive and happy. Thanks for a look at Becca as a laughing toddler. Thanks for Zoe's cute 4-year-old voice.

Thanks, Lord, for a good night and morning for Phyllis. Thanks for no anxiety or anger or tears or shame.

Thanks for this moment.

Treat Yourself

If I'm unhappy, sometime all I have to do is do something slightly extravagant. I go to Starbucks in the morning to write, occasionally. It usually helps me to improve my mood. I tend to talk myself out of going there, though, because I'm trying to cut costs.

Today, since I was having trouble choosing happiness, I thought it would be a good idea to treat myself. It hasn't even cost me anything yet because I'm enjoying a Venti Decaf Toffee Mocha Latte that I got free with a Gold Card member coupon. Normally I just get a bottomless Tall Decaf, which is easier on my wallet and waist.

It's nice to be here. There is music and the good smell of coffee and people coming and going and no dishes to wash. I won't forget about the things that were bothering me before I got here, but they won't be able to dominate my thoughts.

GRATITUDE:
Thanks, Lord, for bringing my oldest daughter safely home from her weekend in the woods.

Be Grateful

I'm on the lookout for things I can be grateful for, and I strive to show my gratitude.

I try to always let people know I'm grateful, even when they've only "done their job" or done "what people are supposed to do." I like telling people that they've "made my day," and they usually like to hear that. Most people like to know when they've done something wonderful. It makes their world a happier place, and it helps me to realize how happy I am.

This week a pharmacist helped me transfer my prescription (saving me $35 a month), and he made a bunch of phone calls on my behalf. He was a huge help, and it was great to tell him how much I appreciated him. The process could have been much more complicated for me if it weren't for him. Being grateful to him was a positive moment for both of us!

My wife keeps a gratitude journal, which is very smart. I don't know if she ever goes back to read it, but when she uses it, she really has to focus on the good things that have happened in her life. It's a powerful way to encourage positive thinking. And it's a lot like prayer.

Prayer is powerful, too. In addition to praying for blessings and forgiveness, I give thanks. I try to think of new things all the time to avoid falling into a habit of rote prayer. It can help me redefine my day. Instead of going to bed thinking about what a horrible day I had, I can fall asleep feeling blessed. Which I am, no matter what.