Archive for the 'Gratitude' Category

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10
Aug
13

a prayer is answered

By thissideofgaudy Leave a Comment
Categories: Children, Family, Gratitude and Work
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RTA called yesterday to tell me some very exciting news. As I mentioned a few posts ago, he and AVB are starting a company together and also want to help other veterans. Last week, AVB met with a potential investor to show him the business plan and talk about the non-profit they want to start. This gentleman was very impressed and is going to invest a large amount to help RTA and AVB get started. I am so happy! I hope their business will really take off so that they can help many people.

Thank you, God!
TSG

03
Aug
13

the return of irp

By thissideofgaudy Leave a Comment
Categories: Children, Family, Gratitude and Medical
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Hurrah! The blockage in IRP’s intestine has resolved itself and she is back home. We are truly grateful for the prayers and well-wishes of everyone. Next week, IRP and FMP will be going to consult with a surgeon about the reversal of IRP’s temporary colostomy. If it pleases God, this will be the end of IRP’s struggles. Oh, how we hope and pray it is!

In other news, my brother is marrying again. He has been married to this woman before and we are very happy to have her and her children back in our lives. As a bonus, she will be gifting us with a baby girl in December. Oh, how we love adding children to our family! The rottenness in our family is unbelievable. And, it all starts before we even see the child’s ultrasound. The moment a child is conceived, we know that s/he is a person with a unique and special purpose. My brother and his fiancée have already refused the test for Down’s Syndrome because it carries a small risk of harming the child. Since nothing will change their intent to have Little Miss HM (of course she has a name), they see no point in risking her life to find out. Other tests that may reveal challenges but carry no risk of harm will be performed so that we may better care for her when she makes her grand entry. We are, of course, praying for an uneventful pregnancy and delivery, but God has a plan no matter what happens. Just because we are not in on all of it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

IRP’s suffering also has a purpose. We are totally in the dark as to what it is. In time, perhaps He will show us. If not, we will trust until we stand before Him and learn all.

Hoping your weekend has started on such a good note,
TSG

27
May
13

A Word to Our Sponsors

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Categories: Gratitude
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Today, I slept in late because I don’t have work. Many people will be having barbecues and picnics. Some will be thanking our veterans or visiting the graves of their loved ones who died on our behalf. Others will hit the stores to take advantage of the sales. However you choose to celebrate the holiday, remember those who have sponsored your freedom of choice:

Those lying in honored state in the Tomb of the Unknowns and those lying unburied, but not unmourned in forests, jungles and deserts.

Those enshrined in the USS Arizona and those lost at the bottom of the sea in places known only to God.

Those who came home to die in hospitals of their wounds and those who died under torture, refusing to the end to give up secrets that would endanger our nation and freedom.

Those whose families had the opportunity to bury them and those whose bodies will not be seen until the last day.

Those of my son’s friends who died in Afghanistan and those of my father’s who died in Vietnam.

Those who died with comrades rushing to render aid that arrived too late and those who fought on knowing that no help was coming in response to their pleas.

These and others whose manner of serving in death I do not know of sponsored our way of life. They gave everything so that we could have everything. Every day, others stand ready to give their lives to defend the greatest nation and best way of life this planet has ever seen. We have our flaws, but still no one has found a better way. God bless America!

16
May
13

Home where she belongs

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Categories: Children, Family, Gratitude and Pets
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Finally! IRP is home again! We are so glad and grateful! Marsh, the ancient Labrador Retriever, was so glad to see her that he showed more enthusiasm in the first ten minutes after her arrival than in the entire week before. He and Whiskey had really begun to mope about looking for her.

Today, we will begin follow-up visits with doctors, starting with the surgeon and the infection specialist. Next week, we will see IRP’s regular physician. Also, she will be calling to set a new appointment with the psychologist so we can get that back on track.

I feel that we have now had our quota of unpleasant excitement for the year and should be excused any other drama.

TSG

12
May
13

Mother’s Day

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Categories: Family, Gratitude and Parents
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People say that I am a good mother. I say that I don’t see how I could possibly have failed to be considering the example I was given. I am not saying my mother was perfect. If she had been, then she would have been God, which would have left her little time to be my personal mom.

I am saying that she was the very best mother she could possibly be. She taught us to stand together, even if we felt apart; “You can fight with your sisters all you want. But, if someone else fights them, you had better be on their side!”. She taught us respect for ourselves and others. This is part of the reason I am now married to FMP instead of his predecessor. I have respect here that I was NEVER going to get there.

The first dish she taught me to cook was baked beans and hot dogs. You might think that an odd choice, but they were my favorite at the time. I do not know what my sisters learned to cook first, but I am sure it was something they liked. I am also sure she ate some truly awful results so as not to discourage us.

She has stood beside me through every event in my life. She has told me the truth when I didn’t want to hear it and certainly didn’t like it. She did not treat me exactly the same as my sisters and brother. She treated me as I needed to be treated. Children are not cut-out cookies. They are not all the same. Fair is not important, equal is. We were equal.

I love you, Mom!
TSG

06
May
13

FEEEEEEED MEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

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Categories: Family, Gratitude and Medical
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Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy! The surgeon has just been in and said that the amount of fluid in IRP’s abdomen is normal for people with her condition and will be permanent. We should just be aware of other signs that would indicate it is becoming a problem. He says that it will be very apparent.

The best part of this is that they are going to let IRP eat again. She is currently munching a cookie. She is holding on to it very tightly lest it be subject to another grab attempt.

Plans are currently being made for dinner.

06
May
13

I Just Don’t Know What to Say (Unusual for Me)

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Categories: Friends, Gratitude, Texas my Texas and Work
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While I was at home resting, a friend from work brought up balloons and a card for IRP.  She also left a card for me and FMP. Inside I found a gift card. My co-workers had taken up a collection to help us out!

I am so touched and humbled. I really can’t find words to thank them. I work for a community college. Many of the part-timers are students. I know they are struggling themselves. And, yet, they gave of their limited resources to aid us. I never cry, but I think I may have to now. I wish my grandmother were still here. She would cry with me and we would both feel better. I am sure, though, that she is up before the throne pointing out to God exactly what she thinks of IRP’s position.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I love you guys!

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