Cause For Celebration

May 14
Today is Mother’s day – perhaps not the best way to spend a day of celebration – but I look at this as hope for a new beginning. A new beginning for both Marilyn and I. Helping Marilyn through this last week has been the hardest thing I have ever faced. Watching Marilyn lose all hope for a future along with her intensifying fear sent me into a circle of changing emotions with only God to support me. I know the prayers of many were being heard as I spent the day working both to reassure but also motivate Marilyn.

I struggled for ideas that would brighten Marilyn’s special day and at the last minute the thought crossed my mind to change this from Mother’s Day to Mother’s Weekend. After a couple of quick calls to our boys I made sure that they would take some extra time out of their busy weekends to come up for a visit both days and then set out to find some fun things to do. Even though there was much to accomplish in the way of exercise, speaking with doctors and nurses, and working to motivate Marilyn – God seemed to work things out. Getting up at 6 AM didn’t hurt either. As well as some family time Marilyn and I were able to have a special movie night complete with popcorn, treats and a movie that Marilyn had wanted to see for a long time. Today she is looking forward to a special meal from her favorite restaurant (The Keg), another movie, and some quality family time. During the day we had some time for heart to heart talks – fear being the most prominent topic. I steered her towards the verse from Timothy “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. “ Several times we prayed together asking God for power over the fear. It remains to be seen how effective these prayers will be but I am hopeful today for a new beginning.

As for accomplishments – yesterday there were many. I looked deep into my heart and asked God for skills to motivate and establish confidence. Marilyn began to work towards her goals. She has had to retrace many of her initial steps but at least we are looking forward and upward again. Here is a list of yesterday’s feats
1. Marilyn sat up in bed to eat both at breakfast and at dinner (something she has not done since January)
2. She worked hard with her therapist on arm and leg exercises
3. She stood by her bed for a few minutes
4. She made it 4 hours between pain medications 2 times.

I hope many of you reading this will set some goals for yourself and work along side of Marilyn to reach these objectives. I have been printing off all of your encouraging emails and will continue to do so until Marilyn can once again regain the strength and focus it takes to type and communicate on her own. (At the moment she is unable to even play a game of X and O;s) These emails have been her link to many friends and do serve to motivate and encourage. I am keeping a chart on the web so you can check to see what she has been able to do each day and send an encouraging word when time permits.

Here is my email address
brseeley@cbe.ab.ca