Sleeping Through the Night.
Our mothers were among those who were probably jubilant
when we finally slept through the night without waking them to be fed or our
diapers changed. Sometimes the feeding and the diaper change was times two
attempts before we would settle down, no doubt. At least, that was the
experience around this house years ago. Wore out one rocking chair completely
before the children were out of the house. And now it gripes me when the dogs
awaken me at three, four, or five in the morning because the old woman cannot
always go back to sleep. Such is life and the way things go. But right at this
red-hot moment in time, my dear sister-in-law is sleeping through most of the
day and night as well, but she is still waking up every once in a while—opening
her eyes and sometimes opening her mouth to be fed the medication for pain.
Lesli and Erin sat in her room this morning visiting with me and with her
whenever she needed to be turned or otherwise moved. She slipped out of bed
onto the floor sometime yesterday afternoon. Her neighbor across the hall saw
her on the floor and let the nurses know she was down there. She has a little
spot on her elbow, but was otherwise unhurt. The bed now has a pad below it to
catch her if she slides out again. The mattress they had her on is filled with
air that circulates. Doesn’t look very comfortable to me, but this old body has
her own groove dug out in one of those heavy-duty, expensive mattresses. Didn’t
think it would ever get to the point that it was really all that comfortable,
but Nan promised me that it would fit me eventually. Sure enough.
The problem (at least one of them) with life sometimes is
that we can’t know the exact date it will either begin or end under normal
circumstances. And pushing that situation usually does not result in
particularly good results. Lesli and Erin both have lives that can’t be put on
hold indefinitely, but they are doing their very best to be there for Anne.
That is about all anyone could ask for. We may hope to not be a burden for our
children, but no one can make guarantees. The only sure results of a lifetime
are based on faith in God—not in any membership, exercise of particular “rites”
or some esoteric framework of belief. Actually, it is pretty simple. Even the
“uncivilized” Indians of the Americas believed in God. A creator is a basic
belief in most cultures that have ever existed, but in the scriptures with
which the old woman is familiar, it says that even the heathen are aware of the
creation and therefore have no excuse not to believe. Rms. 1:20 “For the
invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being
understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so
that they are without excuse.”
Whether it is a golden calf or a i-phone numbered into
infinity, we have no excuse to think that anything man makes can bring us favor
in this life. Mankind can only imitate
creation. If we can imitate our creator, it should be in showing others the
love He has shown us.
Guess it is time to hush. Not intending to cause any
controversy or whatever, but know that this old woman will stand with a head
bowed before the Almighty God of creation if she is still able to stand or even
to fall to her knees. May God bless us with His peace and understanding.
Rest well, my friends. You are loved.
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