Words from Dad

As I left Dad's bedside on Wednesday, just as he was drifting off to sleep, I heard him say this profound statement, "It breaks my heart to know my kids need me more than I can help them."

"The Good Word on Poppy"

The weather was damp and dreary, a light drizzle fell from the sky. But to me, inside my head, the sun was shining brightly and warmly, not a cloud in the sky. I stood in the parking lot of the nursing care center, holding Carly in my one arm, her umbrella in my other, utterly amazed at what I saw. Dad, with the assistance of the new physical therapist and free of a walker, approached us, walking tentatively with tiny, shuffling steps...but still WALKING nonetheless!! I thought I would never see my father walk again this side of heaven.
We all walked together back to sit on the bench outside the facility. Dad was able to "scoot" over to make room for me to sit. The therapist commented that action was a cognitive challenge, but came naturally to him; he is "caring" for a family member without thinking about it. The skills can be achieved when they are "functionally presented. It's all in the approach" she has said. Having this well-trained and skilled therapist is like a breath of fresh air!
Back inside the building, we sat watching the rain at the patio and Dad was the first to notice a turtle crawling on the floorboards of the deck. "We'll call him, Tom. Tom Turtle," he said. Amazing! Going back to his room, Dad noticed a landmark out the window. I was surprised again at his attentiveness.
A staff member heard him call out to Carly as she ran in the dining room, "Don't get lost Carly, because Poppy will be lost without you." And she said, "He's so
sweet, I want to take him home with me!" Other staff have also
commented about how sweet, kind and talkative Dad is. (I did a
double-take to see if they were joking or not--they were serious! They said, "He's our JOY BUG.")
How can he be so out of it for days at a time and then have such good days?! This disease sure is mysterious! I'm not going to question it, but just be thankful for it!
I took the kids back in two days later because I wanted them to see Poppy in such good spirits. We had a lot of laughs--he certainly can be very entertaining! When TJ asked him about what happened to his arm (he has what looks like some finger-nail scratch marks on his forearm)he didn't know but said, "Maybe I could come up with it, TJ, but my mind is gone."
We all had to chuckle!

My nephew, Jonathan, being the optimist that he is, can find the positive even in adversity. During many dark days, Jonathan always asks his dad, "So, what's the good word on Poppy?" That's a great way to pose the question! I am truly pleased to be able to post this encouraging update--to give a "good word on Poppy!" But may we all learn from Jonathan--to look for the sunshine even when it's raining. That is living out I Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."