Who Needs Self-Care?

 Who Needs Self-Care?

 

Let’s start with answering a question. EACH of us needs to take care of ourselves emotionally, physically, mentally, and with one more important element that comes with knowing that only God determines our end. Time is just a relative element in anyone’s life. We are, we aren’t, we will be. Pretty simple. Sometimes we let ourselves become overwhelmed with “shtuff.” Lots of shtuff. Or even just bits and pieces of that shtuff. Nothing is as important in life as looking at the long-range picture. You’ve heard that bit about not being able to see the forest for the trees. Many of us tend to forget that there is an entire forest out there. It can either be scary or an adventure. My cousin John spent two weeks in the hospital to have two more stints put in for his heart and now has dialysis three days a week. He has determined that this is another adventure in his life. Sitting here wishing my outlook could be like that but very glad that it is not currently necessary to have to face that kind of “adventure.” Nope, little pools of depression and panic attacks are enough to put me down to sleep long hours of avoidance. Bravery is not my forte. Let us remember that so many of our soldiers, first responders, police officers, and teachers have to deal with PTSD. And now we have young children dealing with it as well. God forgive us for allowing our world to become such a horrifying place that little kids have to drill for active shooters in the classroom!

 

Everyone around us got rain, so we got fog this morning. Someone needs to pay the preacher!! But even if we don’t get six days of six inches of rain, anything is better than nothing. Thanks to some friends who pick up vegetables that are thrown out by the grocery store, my hens have more green stuff and even a few tomatoes. They have trimmed down the grass at the end of the drain pipe in the east lot until it is as smooth as a putting green! That is some funny stuff right there!

 

My sister-by-another mother Sharon Dickerson got home safely from her trip to Shreveport. It is difficult to find good help for patients with dementia. And then one woman was stealing the pods of soap for the dishwasher and clothes washer! Sad. As if it is not bad enough, and then to have someone steal from you.

 

Diann Dennis may not know even yet what is on the agenda to get her back on her feet. Her neurosurgeon is probably just as busy where she lives as Dr. Kern was when yours truly needed surgery. Let’s just hope that Diann will heal quickly and completely. It is hard to be down when one’s usual life style includes lots of walking and exploring.

 

Then my sister-in-law Anne Perkins fell early Monday morning and ended up with a huge bruise (hematoma) and stitches in the back of her head from falling in her bathroom. Nothing for me to do for her except pray. She seemed to think she might get the stitches out today, but haven’t talked to her.

 

My neighbor Patty is having some problems with depression again—not that it really ever stopped. And she thought she would quit smoking. Not much sense in it. At this point, why not do whatever makes you happy. That is what the doctor told Daddy after one lung was already eaten up with cancer. That was not what killed him anyway. He was just tired and ready to go to God.

 

This post is—again—not very uplifting. My apologies. Let us just remember that it is God who determines the outcomes of all of man’s plans. Robert Burns was quite right: The best laid plans of mice and men are oft to go astray. Yeppers. And God knows both the mouse in her little house and the man who strives to make a living and provide for his family. Let us pray that we can be as loving to others of whatever ilk as much as we have learned to love in His compassion.

 

Rest well, my friends. You are loved.