Decisions....

are hard sometimes.

But, the decision to put one's own mother in a nursing home must surely be an agonizing one.

(My mother was in one, but for a limited amount of time....she hated it.)

And, now my neighbor has been put in a home.

And, yes, she hated the decision.

She told me that she was angry with her children.  She played the guilt card.  She had them all crying.  She, who is always kind and gentle, did not go easy into that dark night.

And, so there she is and at age 69, there she will remain.

Her family has been so good to her; she has lived with her son for several years since her husband was killed in a tragic accident.  They have taken her many places, have cared lovingly for her over an extended period of time.

But, then, it became impossible to do so any longer.

For you see, my friend has MS.

She has been in a wheelchair for 18 years.  But she has gotten progressively weaker and more fragile.  She is no longer able to feed herself.  Her son and daughter-in-law work full time.  One day while they were at work, she wanted to go outside to warm up.  But, she couldn't get back in and was nearly unconscious when discovered three hours later.  She is getting forgetful, repeats...you know the frightening drill.

Oh, dear S, my heart does ache for you.

But, I must be honest; this is the best for all involved.

And, I promise you this....I will come to visit, just as I have for four years....

We'll laugh, talk, share, cry, and be grateful for our friendship.

And you dear friend, will continue to inspire me with your goodness, gentleness, kindness, and FAITH.

Time Out for the Zoo - San Diego, That Is

I didn't take a lot of pictures, but saw some interesting sights....here's just three things of the many:

Looks just like some kind of rock; but it's actually a very old, very big tortoise!

He's ginormous!  And, he was absolutely right next to the window; I've never been that close to a polar bear; it was quite a thrill, actually!

"What was your favorite part of the zoo?" we asked some of the adults and children...."The Chinese Acrobats," they unanimously seemed to agree.  

And while this picture doesn't show them doing anything particularly spectacular, believe me when I say - THEY DID!

Ah, there is nothing quite like a day at a zoo!

A Little Bit of Paradise: Coronado Island - July 2012

More Grandma Time

Anna having fun at the Fisher's pool in Hurricane....

Lucy loved making cards....

The Day the Rain Came Down...

1.  Allen washed the car

2.  Allen washed the windows

3.  Allen sprayed Round Up on the weeds.

Yep, that's why it rained...thank you very much.

(That, and the prayers of many people in Southern Utah!)

Grandma Time

There is nothing like the thrill of learning to ride a BIKE!  And Miles found that out recently!

Anna enjoys the little river at the St. George water feature!

The Virginia beauty cools off in St. George, Utah!

Disgusted and Angry!

I am literally SICK TO DEATH of the attacks on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!

Misinformation
Distortion of the Facts
Bitterness from former members
Acrimony from Atheists

Truly, this makes me fighting MAD!