It's been a long while again, but I am going to stop apologizing. There is too much going on these days for me to worry about anything that does not deal with staying alive. Yesterday made that all too clear. It was the first time I have had to call 911 - for myself. It was nothing more than tangled up oxygen cables, and the massage therapist was here, so there should not have been such an emergency. However, folks- when you know that you will pass out within a few minutes and the person with you has no medical training, you tend to panic- at least I did. And the oxygen provider (Walson) is still trying to come up with the best "fit" for me as my need increases exponentially. We all thought that I would be transplanted before I got to this point, which is called "end-stage lung disease". It has been pretty difficult trying to keep my sense of humor. Walson did send one of their respiratory therapists over, and she worked with me & Steve was home by then, so we benefitted from that as well.
Well, I believe I was going to tell you about my visit with Summer & Brittany. Some of you might know who these two girls are, but most of you do not, because despite the fact that they are close relatives of ours, the "degree" that links us to them is either AWOL or in communicado. Both of them had their 25th birthdays this fall. Brittany is our granddaughter- our oldest one. Her mother is Rebecca, whom we called "Muffin" when she was at home. She got pregnant, married Todd Hergert and had Brittany in September 1985. We saw them for a few years- although not often. Then, when Brittany was 5, they divorced, and Todd took custody of Brittany. His mother & grandmother raised her. Todd's mother is married to Doug Nelson, the caterer. We were invited to her HS graduation and then, a year ago, to her wedding- plus Steve's ex-wife (Rebecca's mother, who has always enabled Rebecca, who has a major drug problem) decided that we were selected to keep the bottom layer of the wedding cake (not the tiny top, but the huge bottom layer)because we were the only family members living in Beaumont with a deep-freeze! So nice to be wanted and needed! Brittany & Brannen, her husband, have a 3-year-old son. They moved in together several years ago, then she had the baby, and when he was 2, they decided to get married. It was a pretty wedding at St. John's Lutheran.
We have seen more of Summer through the years. She is our niece- her mother is Steve's sister Sherri. Since Steve's parents both died (one in Jan. '07, the other in Febr. '08), there just hasn't been the amount of visiting etc. that used to go on- we celebrated every birthday, all holidays- anyway, we saw each other more often back then. I'm sure this happens in all families. Well, I knew that Brittany had already had her birthday and that Summer's was approaching, and Brittany was also right at her 1st wedding anniversary, when I decided to call them and invite them over. I just told them that I wanted a chance to see them again, and could we plan a party & invite the aunts and cousins, and do it here except I couldn't do anything! It was a very nice plan, but it didn't happen. I was really down that weekend, and have actually been getting weaker by the day ever since- hence I have found no real reason to write. Brittany did take her cake home, however! So our freezer has room in it again.
I did have a wonderful conversation with Virginia Balano last night, however- she graduated with me from South Park High School, and I have seen her exactly twice since then! Nevertheless, she is one of those rare individuals who feels called to take care of the sick & dying, as we are told to do in the Bible. When she heard about my illness, she wrote to me and said "I will be there to do whatever you need for as long as you need me." Something like that is just so amazing- we were acquaintances- I don't recall having any classes with her, but she attended Jr. High & High School with me. But until we got together for lunch one day when she & another mutual friend were in town at the same time (for a Melody Maids reunion), I wouldn't have known Virginia if she had walked in my door. She has taken care of her sister when she nearly died from cancer- but she didn't and I believe she is fine today; and she took care of her EX! To go sit and nurse the man who decided he wanted to be with someone else after many years of marriage was a major job in forgiveness. She is just awesome. And so I called her & we talked, and I said that I need someone with me as soon as possible- it is the only way I am going to make it til whenever they have a match for me. We settled on December 6- she will fly into Houston, and Steve will go pick her up. Then, whether they call me the next day or the next month, I will have daily help- which is what I need. So that is good.
Bettie Nixon is coming over in a while to go to the grocery store to pick up the things on Stratton's list. He & Brian are coming south- Brian and Lucy the dog will go stay with Brian's folks, and Stratton will be here, and he is cooking dinner. So I think I might take a wee nap now until it is time for her to arrive. Until whenever, friends................
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