Memorial Day Weekend

5/22/09 Time with a vet----

Last week-end I took time off and spent it in Hopkinsville, KY with a very special World War II veteran, my Daddy. This week-end I’ll be spending it with another special veteran of that war, Larry’s daddy, who remains in ICU. That requires time and energy, especially emotional energy, so I’m not going to be on-line unless there is a medical update.

Larry and I just returned from the 8:30-9:00 p.m. visiting time. I saw answered prayers for which I was grateful: Grandaddy was awake and he could nod answers; he was not in pain; and he nodded affirmation when told he was loved. He cannot however breathe on his own yet and the ventilator keeps him from talking at all. That is very frustrating and he gets agitated because he seemed to have something important to say or ask and we were unable to interpret. This actually produced tears from him and that’s so hard to watch. I had to turn away to hide my tears. Larry was very positive and informative telling him of all the procedures that were “behind” him and the good results. He gave him hope for a better quality of life than he had been experiencing. He verbally acknowledged his frustration and encouraged him to be patient. Then he told him “happenings” from the day and mentioned all the folks who had called. I just held his hand and rubbed his head and prayed. Wish I could sing. I remembered the comfort that brought me when Buddy quietly sang as I drifted in and out after my surgeries. Next time I think I’ll read Psalms to Grandaddy---there’s no tune, but the Psalms were the hymnal of the Jewish people and this "Book of Praises" offers such comfort. Maybe just hearing the words will put a song in his heart and lift his spirit. That would lift my spirit.