Betty’s Week
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By Betty ShearerThis week offered a bit of history, fun, celebration, and excitement, via TV, phone, and actual face-to-face visits.
TV just happened to be on the channel carrying the entire funeral service of General Colin Powell, a man I’ve always believed was one who will go down in history as a giant in both the military and political realms of my era. We are the same age. Gen. Powell was instrumental bringing the U.S. Military back to the mighty strength it needed to be, as he often said, not to show our power to defeat but to defend.
It was so interesting to hear his son, closest friend, and so many other political and military leaders sing his praise. Then we also heard of his lighter side, which was so fun to hear. His legacy spans more than four generation, both military and politically, serving under four presidents in various potions. If you missed this service, I hope during the next few weeks you’ll get to see excerpts from it. Hopefully God will raise up anther General Powell soon.
Thursday the Home Health Nurse visited, drew off the accumulated fluid and changed the bandage. Fluid has almost disappeared, without having been drawn in almost a week. I’m also gaining strength and my appetite is improving. However, on Tuesday I’ll get the second of three infusions in this round of chemo and if the schedule is as in previous rounds of chemo I’ll be down for about a week. Hope this does not happen, but if it does, I’ll endure it on the road, I pray to complete healing.
On Friday the family had a double celebration – Jimmie’s birthday and Missy’s and Michael’s wedding anniversary. I’d forgotten that they married on his Mom’s birthday. Michael called early to wish her a “happy birthday” and to share Caroline’s latest gem. Michael says Caroline jumped out of bed and ran in to wish them “happy anniversary.” Then with her look that usually gets her way, she asked, “Where are we going to eat tonight to celebrate?”
Michael says he explained that on anniversary celebrations usually children stay with grands or friends and only the married couple go out together. Said that Caroline considered this for a short time and then came back with, “Well if I’m not invited to attend your anniversary dinner then I’m not inviting you to go on my honeymoon.”
We all laughed until tears flowed. What other eight-year-old could have come up with that. Jimmie invited her to come over for the weekend with us and go eat birthday dinner. She declined, stating that she would visit with us next week. Jimmie says, “She already has a plan to go on that anniversary celebration.” We haven’t yet heard the outcome of this yet.
Usually we grocery shop earlier in the week, but somehow it got pushed to Saturday afternoon and from the looks of the Piggly Wiggly parking lot you would have thought it was Thanksgiving time. I sit in the van and people watch while Jimmie shops. With the news that we didn’t need much, she was not going to be long. As I watched, a parking space would be vacated and immediately filled. I was also watching the barbecue shop located on the edge of the parking lot. While I sat there over an hour there was never a vacant spot in the line and this was middle of the afternoon.
Jimmie finally returned and explained that every register was running and there were six or more in line to check out. Reported that it took her much longer to check out than it had to shop and shopping had been time consuming as the store was packed.
After worship, via TV, and another great message by Rev. Steve Gaines, we had a delicious family dinner. Rance had a volunteer sitter with Ginny, so he was able to join us. Rance is an excellent cook, but I know he enjoys Jimmie’s food occasionally. When he’s coming she cooks some of his favorites, especially a caramel cake and sends him home with leftovers for a few days. We always enjoy him – he’s the clown of the family.
Later in the afternoon came the wonderful climax of a great week. My Woodland Hills Church family did a drive-by visit. This parade was led, in true fashion, by a vehicle with a siren. This was compliments of the Bynum Fire Department, driven by volunteer Austin Allen. Austin is the son of a sheriff’s deputy. Riding shotgun was long-time friend, Joel Surrette. I’ve known Joel since he was a child.
His question was, “You don’t know me, do you” Well I did not recognize him because he has a full beard and has lost a ton of weight However, when he spoke you could not miss that voice. We enjoyed a long visit, ending only when Austin had to get to his job. It was wonderful to see so many faces I’d missed being with for eight months. The vehicles entered the driveway with the left hand folks visible and then circled so I could see, wave, and yell at the right hand passengers. It was so much fun. Thanks to all of you for the wonderful visit. Also, thanks to co-worker, Mel Smith, for coming down to make pictures – it was great to see and visit with her.
As you can read, I did have a good week.
