We have our bedtime routine, Coral and I. She sits in her wheelchair all day, and by bedtime (even on warm days) her feet are usually ice cold. So after we are done getting her diaper on, kissing Paul Heil's picture, making Elmo giggle, and turning on the bedtime CD, I say, "Coral, are your feet cold?" She says, "Yes," so I stick my hands under the covers at the end of her bed. It is nice and warm under there because she has a little electric bed warmer under her mattress cover and sheets, but sure enough, my hands find two little cold lumps in there, too. So I start rubbing her feet until I can feel them relaxing as the blood starts flowing.
I watch her face relax, too, as she gets more comfortable. It is a happy little face with some secret joy always beneath the surface.
Will the next caregiver care if her feet are too cold? Will she be able to feel Elmo giggle and kiss Paul Heil goodnight?
Oh, Lord... please take her first...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
12 comments:
Oh Jeanette, my heart goes out to you. When I get Bertha ready for bed at night her feet are always cold too from sitting so long . We are instructed to put lotion and powder on her feet in the morning and the evening,and now for Min as well. His feet are so worn out after 92 years and everytime I do this small task I can't help remember that it is Jesus' feet I am comforting and strangely enough Jesus in us doing the service.
You are an amazing lady and I admire your love and insight.
Carol-Ann set up my blog and the picture is by a lady on flickr.com.
Bless you so much, and your pictures are a lovely sight.
Thank you, Nancy, for your lovely and comforting comment. In many ways, we are doing the same thing, aren't we?
And you are right, it is Jesus' feet we are comforting and Jesus in us doing the service. That is such an amazing thought. It takes some time to ponder it.
I know the Lord has His own plans which are much better than mine, but I still have to tell Him how I am feeling and what I wish He would do!
That picture on your blog is just perfect. I will have to check out flickr.com sometime. I am just using my own stuff so far...
I can't tell you much you have encouraged me today! Thank you so much!
Jeanette, you and Coral have such a beautiful story. Have you thought of writing a book?
Your story of faith and love would be such an encouragement to others who walk in your shoes.
Thank you for loving your daughter the way that we all want to be loved.
--r
Thank you, Renae! Coral is very easy to love!
Carol-Ann has told me I should be saving my posts in a Word document so that I will have them to maybe be printed some day, maybe a devotional or something. I guess I have never thought of doing that other than her suggestion. I know what an excellent writer you are, so the fact that you would suggest a book means a lot to me... Sometimes I think I am so close to what I write about that I'm not sure if it is just important to me or if others might also find it that way. I might cry while writing, but I know it is because the feelings are mine, and it is hard to know if others would also feel them like I do... But with both of you saying the same thing, and Louise also said something like that earlier... Maybe I should think about it a little more. I guess I will save things I write and see if the opportunity comes some day!
Thanks Renae! We'll keep reminding her! One day! One day!
I agree Jeanette ... you are caring for Jesus as you care for Coral. And, please, save what you're writing...there are others who will learn and grow and be blessed by your words. Who knows who they will touch one day?
Bless you dear one.
Thank you, Louise! I'm so glad to hear from you again! I still feel surprised by the idea of anything I write maybe going further than this blog, but I will save them and then maybe some day there will be a reason.
I appreciate your encouragement so much. You are a dear friend!
I'm no expert, but I'll be glad to help you get a book proposal together when you are ready.
I think your positive spirit and your loving relationship with Coral needs to be shared on a much bigger level.
Though quite a different story, my family cared for a sick child, many years ago. Go to my Coffee Talk page at the Morning Coffee site, scroll down and click on the In Touch article, and you can read about Berley.
Perhaps think about writing a few articles for magazines, to begin with. Coral would love to be famous! Just think of her smile if/when you tell her she is in a magazine!
Hi Renae! Thank you so much for being willing to help with a possible future endeavor! I appreciate it very much.
I did read your In Touch article some time back (was exploring your site!) and shed a few tears over it. It is an excellent story, and I know that your family was blessed to have Berley with you for awhile, and he was just as blessed to have a home with all of you. Your story also gave me a tiny insight into the wonderful family you have.
I feel so intimidated with the idea of a magazine article, but I promise to think about it...
Try your March 18 or your April 13 post. Just take them, copy and paste them onto a word doc., and develop them a little more.
Go to your library and check out a Sally Stewart Christian Market guide, and look to see who publishes devotionals. (Magazines, not books.) Then, send your devotional as an attachment, with the e-mail as a cover letter. Send to dozens of places at once - you can do that!
And you will be rejected. Lots. Welcome to the life of a writer. But it sure is fun to finally get accepted. And it is so rewarding to know your words are helping someone else.
Just a few thoughts. You are a good writer, and have a lot of wisdom and insight to share.
Blessings to you!
Oh, love Coral in the little red rocker! :-)
--r
Wow, Renae! What a lot of great info, not to mention the encouragement to actually do this. Really, your last comment has made me actually see that maybe I can... Ha ha! This is such new territory for me! Just doing the blog was a big step. (You mean someone might actually want to read what I write???!!!)
Anyway, thanks again. I already did a little research online and found out a bit more about what this entails. To be honest, doing something like this has never, never crossed my mind, ever, until you ladies brought it up on here. So I have to let it percolate for a little while now!
PS: Thanks for saying I am a good writer. I appreciate it very much. And I'm glad you like Coral's picture!
Post a Comment