One Week

It will be one week tomorrow. My mother-in-law found my father-in-law out in the flower bed. Passed out face down in the lillies. Apparently a heart attack. She and a friend attempted to move him but both were too small and weak to do so. They called 911 and he was taken to the hospital but did not make it.



This was 2 days before his 81rst birthday. The funeral plans were put into motion quickly so that it could take place on that 81rst birthday. All 3 children and their spouses and the 8 grandchildren were there. Along with lifelong friends and co-workers and extended family.



He was a gentle soul who didn't speak much but smiled at everyone. He was a brilliant scientist who made pharmacy his career. For many in his community, he was their "doctor." He stayed married to his wife until "death they did part." He was a wonderful man and an even better father....and a kind and loving grandfather. He was an unselfish human. Most of all he was a Christian.



The most unselfish thing he did was plan his funeral service on paper. He wrote down the scriptures he wanted read and the hymns he wanted sung and had purchased the plot in the cemetary. He even included a wallet size picture of him and his wife to be put into his breast pocket before the casket was closed.



I have thought alot about my father-in-law these past few days. I am glad he was outside in his yard when he died....working in his garden and flower beds....something he enjoyed doing. I am glad he went fast and didn't suffer. I am glad he isn't laying in a hospital bed connected to tubes that keep him alive but with a damaged brain. I am glad my children had him as long as they did (24, 22, and 19 years). I am glad my husband is so much like him....even the quiet part that drives me crazy sometimes. I am glad to have heard his favorite scriptures and hymns. It gave me comfort to hear them through "his ears."



And I am glad that we were able to be there for his birthday.


Here's the deal. None of us are getting out of here alive. All of us will go one day. You. Me.

And I know that is hard to deal with, talk about, plan for. Our human brains aren't wired to deal with that. Our faith tries to prepare us....but talk out loud? Hardly.

But surely you can begin to think about what you want the day of your funeral to look like? To sound like? To feel like? I challenge you and myself to make a list. And add to it now and then. And keep it in a safe place where at least 2 family members can find it. I am not talking about a will....although that is extremely important. I am talking about your service.

Because it is the most unselfish thing you can do. And it is not a jinx.

For the record, I have brought this up a time or two with my husband......and he squirms and changes the subject and the channel on the t.v. But it's on my list of things to do. And I hope you think about it, too.

Sorry to be a downer....but really we're all in this together.

The ball, the water, the dog with OCD

On these pleasant evenings, we spend a lot of time outside on the back porch. This is what we watch over and over and over and over. Dixie's the dog with skin allergies, OCD, a love of water and tennis balls....and especially those 2 things at the same time....and a brain. This dog figured out a game to play by herself. We do not get involved other than to throw the ball in the first time and then to watch.

And did I mention the over and over part?

The game begins by one of us throwing the ball in the water.

Dixie stares at it. For as long as it takes. Until...

...the ball begins to float close to the edge.

She leans over very carefully, and grabs the ball by the fuzz.

She brings it up and bites at it....over and over....with a frenzy.

I cannot emphasize enough the FRENZY with which she does all of this.

And the ball gets dangerously close to the edge....

So she pulls it back....

And Maggie watches all of this with all the attention of a flea.

Suddenly! The ball has rolled into the water again!

Oh, no. It's way in the middle....

Dixie dives in for it.

She grabs it once again.

With ball in mouth, she swims towards the goal....

With both front paws, it's in!

One more push for good measure.

Now, she heads to retrieve the ball.

She works at the lid until it tips just enough so she can see the ball.

But she can't see it yet.

She better check on it.

She heads back over to the goal and looks one more time....yep, it's in there....

Back to the lid....work it, work it.

Finally, her head is in.

Reaching, reaching.

Knocked the lid off and going for it.

Stretch a little more.

Got it!

Uh, oh.....wait....it's heading for the edge again.

And here comes the "over and over and over" part.

Good times in the empty nest.

How many pounds?

In preparation for Mother's Day, the kindergarteners are busy making gifts and cards and being interviewed about their mom. That's a part of my job that I love. I get to call these babies over one by one and ask them a few questions and watch their eyes and mannerisms as they come up with the answers.

The Mother Questionaire consist of questions like "My mother's name is........." "Her favorite food is......" "She smiles when........." Of course there's the "My mother weighs ______pounds and is _____tall."

According to 5 and 6 year olds, most moms weigh about 20 pounds and are 38 inches tall. Sound about right?

After interviewing several in a row, this little girl's response struck me as funny:

Me: Okay, the next question is....My mother weighs _____pounds. So how many pounds do you think your mother weighs?

Her: hmmmm.....let me think...... I know she's been on a diet........ so I'm going to say......... hummmmmm........ let's say 30 pounds.



And you wouldn't believe how many mother's like chicken nuggets for their favorite food.