More about my Grandma

To back up a bit, my grandma was diagnosed with stage three pancreatic cancer in the beginning of May.
In less than three months, this cancer has aggressively attacked her body. She now has a hospital bed in her living room, a make-shift bathroom in the front hall (a curtain rod with a sheet hung on it to give privacy for her commode)--basically we have moved everything to be on one floor and to be convenient for her and for those of us who are caring for her.
Today was a good day. Last night she slept soundly. My aunt along with my grandma's sister have been staying there since Thursday. I go over during the day.
The night before, she was up throwing up basically all night long. Some days are good, some aren't as good.
She has had a fair amount of company, which she really enjoys. She can't be left alone. She does not want to be left alone--she prefers when someone is sitting in the room with her all the time.
People have been coming by to tell her how much they have enjoyed her friendship--to tell her that they'll miss her--to tell her they love her.
They pray for comfort for her pain, and for peace to reign in her house and in her spirit.
And it does.
We have absolute assurance of where she is going. She asked Jesus to be the Lord of her life many years ago.
She's going to Heaven--not because she's a "good person". Not because of good things she has done.
Christ did the work for her. She accepted His gift.
All the good things we do are like filthy rags compared with His righteousness. We can't do a thing to earn His salvation. It's not our work, but His.

It is and has been such a blessing to care for her this past week and a half. I will never forget this time. Ever.
People are concerned about it being a burden for me--I am quick to assure them it is not. It is my honor to care for her when she needs it the most.

She has moments when she says "ohhh...to be so helpless." I tell her that "helpless"would be if we weren't there to help her.
Isn't that what being a family is all about? Helping each other when the need is great?

All the housework that needs to be doing here at my house can wait. Grandma doesn't have much time left. I can clean later.
I will care for her now--while I can.

You only get one chance to do something like this. I want to make sure I have no regrets. I can't go back after she's passed and say "I wish I would have..."

We have VBS this week, so I'd better get the kids a quick bite before we go.

A Quick, Yet Difficult Post

I have been "out of blog commission" lately, as you may have noticed.

Last week was our County Fair from Tuesday through Saturday, during which my children and I practically lived at the fair. My mom graciously took Christopher and Elijah to stay at her house so it wasn't quite as busy.

On Sunday, my three oldest children went to spend a week with my aunt and uncle in Nebraska. This is the third year they have done that. We affectionately call this time "Camp Omaha."

On Sunday, I also began caring for my grandma pretty much round the clock. My sister-in-law and my brother came up on Tuesday night and they stayed overnight at her house that night and last night.
It is so difficult to see her fading right before my eyes. Yet, I would not trade these days for anything. We have had sweet times of conversation and laughter. She loves to look at the children and hear their laughter in her home.
I never thought I'd be doing all the things I am doing for her. For her sake, I'll not include all the details. Let's just say I have a new appreciation for nurses...

Anyway, that's why I've been "gone" from my blog. I have things going on that are requiring all of my attention.
I am heading back over there this morning for the day.

My Least Favorite Thing

Everybody has some household chore they rather dislike, don't they?

A friend of mine once said she'd rather clean 20 toilets than do laundry.

If you've read my blog for awhile, you know I love doing laundry.

But I bet you didn't know that I really don't like to unload the dishwasher. *GASP*

If someone ever asked me "which would you rather do, scrub the bathroom or unload the dishwasher?" (which is pretty unlikely, don't you think? Being asked that question? I mean what are the chances?) I would pick cleaning the bathroom, hands down. Or gloves on. However you would say that.

I like loading the dishwasher, but for some strange reason I just really don't like unloading it.

So tell me. 'Fess up. What chore do you really dislike? And no, you can't say "all of 'em."

If you've never commented before, now's your chance! It's easy. Click on the comment link at the end of the post. When the comment box pops up, type your comment. Then, either fill in your "identity" (if you don't have a blogger identity, it's very easy to set up. It will tell you how to do that.) or you can choose Anonymous. Let me know you're reading!

Dry Spells

Tell me I'm not the only one who experiences these dry spells.

Dry spiritually.
Dry emotionally.
Dry physically.
Dry blog-ally.