Butterfly Landing

Sunday, February 16, 2014

I still know......

My Grandmothers.

I always knew they loved me unconditionally.

I always knew they would "be there" for me.

I always knew if I needed something, they would give all they could.

I always knew there would be comfort, care, gentle direction advice.

I always knew they were praying for me.

I always knew there would be affection, hugs and kisses.

Now they are both afflicted with diseases that have altered their ability to:
*take care of themselves physically (dressing, bathing, combing, etc.).
*know who she or anyone else is.
*communicate from her mouth what her heart and mind would like to say.
*fix meals, clean house, do laundry, or participate in hobbies they once enjoyed.

But there are things I still KNOW without a doubt.....

Their diseases have NOT altered their ability to:

*love unconditionally (even if it can't be expressed in words, letters, phone calls, etc.)

*pray (even if one of them can't remember to pray....her spirit reflects the attitude of prayer).

*share from their heart (with the gaze of eye connection, a small hug, a squeeze of the hand, a cheeky little smile).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Both of my Grandmothers have completely lost their independence.

But,

God's grace, mercy and love show more brightly than ever before.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Handmade gifts

While sitting in the hospital with Brice, I had lots of time to knit. I have enjoyed
"making" this year, love in every stitch.
~~~~~~~~~~
These are fingerless gloves stitched with sock yarn.
Interesting pattern.

Ruffle scarf

Little baby booties for a precious!

More handmade pictures to come after recipients receive them.

Thanksgiving 2013

This was our "Thanksgiving Tree" made out of fabric that we glued onto a 18"X24" foam board.
Can you see the cute squirrel in the tree?

This was our tree after we each put 20+ "thankful" leaves on it.
Isn't it beautiful?!

Mr. Z made all of us name cards for our Thanksgiving dinner.

A perfect turkey....smoked on a Traeger.
Delicious!!!

Our vegetable turkey....

....and a fruit turkey.

For the Nurses

Brice wanted to give his main nurses at the Burn Unit gift bags as a 'thank you'. He decided that he wanted handmade scarves as part of the gift. These are a few of them.....

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Update list

Many of you that follow my blog, hadn't heard of Brice's accident until reading my recent post.

I won't be posting much about it on here, so if you would like to receive updates, please leave me a comment with your email address (I won't post it on here) and I will add you to my list.

He is doing well.

Very normal.....ups and downs.

Waiting for his "Integra" to mature enough so they can begin the grafting process (hopefully next week).

I am happy to be here in Nebraska with him.

He is pleased to have me here.

Gives him something to laugh about. :)

Thanks to all who've shown love, care and support.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

"It's a positive thing"

My brother was recently in an accident at work. He was burned over 40% of his body (arms, back, bum) with 200 degree water/steam.

"I'm just thankful it was water and not one of the chemicals"

He has suffered severe shock, pain, temperature irregularities, scrapings (scraping dead skin off the burns), surgeries, etc.

"I passed out on the nurse from the pain"

He's been in a great burn center for 2.5 weeks now. The first two weeks, unable to communicate or comprehend much due to the levels of pain medications.

"These pain medications make me hallucinate, I see myself walking on the walls."

Not able to do anything for himself. NOTHING. Stuck in a special bed for burn patients, flat out for several days at a time.

"All my dignity is lost"

Out in front of him stretches weeks......not days, but weeks of hospital living while his body continues to heal and the grafting process continues.

"I am choosing to take less pain medication now so that it is as effective as it can be after the next grafting surgeries"

Tonight I asked him how he was feeling.

"It's a positive thing."

Being unsure of what he meant, I asked "what are you speaking of?"

"The accident. It's a positive thing."

"In what way do you mean?" I asked.

"I would've never known the bond and connection in the family of God if I had continued the way I was in my own little world/life. I value God's family more than I ever have."

Am I truly willing for ANY experience that helps me learn and grasp the value and depth of the greatness of God? Even if it means excruciating pain and suffering?

I hope so.

It's what life is about.