I am home and have spent the day recuperating from the tests. The tests were long, but I was determined to do them. I wanted to give the doctors the information they needed. In addition, if I’m going to ask the doctors to listen to me and be open-minded, then I need to have the same attitude (to a balanced extent, of course) with them. I was surprised to learn just how much acid reflux I do have. I knew I had acid reflux, but I guess I always categorized it as “mild” in my mind. I wasn’t surprised to learn that I have, as the GI doctor said, “an extremely slow gut”. (I do have to laugh at how un-medical her terminology was). And finally, I’m very thankful that I do not have any ulcers - especially after 6 months of Prednisone usage! So, the tests were worth the pain and barium drinking, although now I have to endure a night of “Go Litely”.
Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Mom and I retreated to my grandparents’ home in Fishersville. The first night, Mom had the genius idea to move the small television from the living room to the spare bedroom, so we could watch movies while in bed! The first night we watched an older version of Jane Eyre and a documentary about Billy Graham. The second night we watched Shadowlands. The bed was warmed by the electric blanket, and if I laid on my side, Mom could see the TV just above my head. Then, in the mornings, we enjoyed toast and hot tea. Wednesday night, we even visited with Aunt Jackie (my Dad’s sister) who stopped by in hopes of catching us.
Mom and I had planned to spend some time shopping in Charlottesville, but we ended up being at the hospital from 9am-5pm both days. So, before heading home Thursday morning, we stopped at The Cheese Shoppe. What a treat! The Shoppe is owned by German Baptists, so the atmosphere is calm and organized with Christian music playing in the background. All of the food is displayed in see-through packaging, so imagine rows of rainbow-colored shelves. I love how God invented such variety of colors and The Cheese Shoppe is a perfect example of His creativity. Mom even let me choose some goodies, so I got three small bags of different hard candies I can enjoy, especially at nighttime when my stomach insists it’s hungry even though I’ve fed it just thirty minutes prior.
So while the tests were long, this visit to Charlottesville was actually a mini-vacation for Mom and me. Yes, we still had work to do. As usual, Mom was very supportive during the tests. She was also amazed (and pleased) with how much barium I drank! By nighttime, though, we always ended back in Fishersville exhausted. However, I do believe we made the best use of our time. I made some wonderful memories with Mom. I really do enjoy her company- we laughed and talked a lot. We compared both versions of Jane Eyre. We “aahed” and drooled through several decorating magazines, even planning out our next home interior projects. We read Spurgeon, listened to a taped sermon from church, and continued our prayer ministry.
Mom and I are best friends and one of the blessings of this disease is the extra time I’ve spent with her. Most twenty-two-year-olds are away at college, busy working, or spending time “experiencing the world”. In many ways, the Lord is “forcing” me to stay home. I used to think of it as a hindrance, but now it’s becoming more and more of a blessing to be home. One of the blessings is that Mom often has to stay home when I do. It might sound selfish, but there are many days I wouldn’t want it any other way! Our home is a sanctuary and I know it’s because the Lord dwells here. However, Mom has to be given much credit for the peace we feel in our home. Her decorating and hospitality exclaim, “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). And it is often Mom who guides my thinking Heavenward, especially when we are away from home. The Lord has blessed me with two parents who love and care for me beyond description. However, I do have to say that Mom and I have a special mother-daughter friendship, not relationship.
February 20th, 2007 at 8:23 am
Katy, inspiration must have been hiding in the corner of your mind and popped out to say “hello” in your post. You inspired me! Love, Mom
February 20th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Hi, Katy.
I know what you’re talking about with the flood and drought of writing inspiration. I have to admit that many (most?!) of my dry spells are measured in weeks rather than days (at least in regard to my fiction writing)! And the droughts seem to outnumber the floods… I hope you have many a flood (not literally!). Sincerely, Cousin Mike
February 20th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Katy, what a fresh idea about legacy. I think that makes all of our activities, habits, endeavors worth savoring as we consider that they are not mundane or in vain. I’m praying for you & just so you know, you’ve left quite a legacy already.
Trisha
February 21st, 2007 at 1:05 am
Katy, This time I could see the pictures of the Valentine Party! Beautiful! I LOVE doing things like that, too. I need to get a scanner so I can send you pictures of some of my events with my 4 place table setting or ruby red dishes on white or cream tablecloth with red roses (in summer) carnations or poinsettias in winter - and my gold flatware that came with marrying Tony. The ruby red dishes are an eclectic mix of styles. My friend Helen and I have collected them across several years. When I have my home in St. Pete, We’ll celebrate with a lucheon and use them!
And if that bit above is what you can do on a “dry” day, wow! a “wet” day must be profound over my head!
Love you, Aunt Lil
February 21st, 2007 at 1:07 am
P.S. I’ll use red bougainvillea with them! Dreams are wonderful! Especially those with a promise in them. ) Aunt Lil
February 24th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Well, it me again, Katy. I’ve been playing the piano and thinking of you - and your mother. I don’t play very well, but I love the old hymns and play them to the Lord. I was singing along until I got so blessed (When we all get to heaven - “Just one glimpse of HIM IN GLORY!”)I couldn’t sing and just cried. But I just finished with this powerful hymn - and that made me especially think of you. I don’t know if you know it; if not, you need to get someone to play it for you on a piano, and really beats out the powerful bass notes: It is called MY ANCHOR HOLDS The music is dramatic and powerful.
Tho the angry surges roll on my tempest-driven soul
I am peaceful for I know, wildly though the winds may blow
I’ve an anchor safe and sure that will EVERMORE endure!
Chorus: And it holds, my anchor holds! Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail (that’s you): BY HIS GRACE I SHALL NOT FAIL, for my anchor holds, MY ANCHOR HOLDS.
Mighty tides about me sweep, perils lurk within the deep
Andgry clouds o’ershade the sky, and the tempest rises high;
STILL I STAND the tempest’s shock,
FOR MY ANCHOR GRIPS THE ROCK! (Chorus)
I can feel the anchor fast as I meet each sudden blast,
And the cable, though unseen, bears the heavy strain between;
Through the storm I SAFELY RIDE, till the turning of the tide. (Chorus)
Troubles almost ‘whem the soul; griefs like billows o’er me roll;
Tempters seek to lure astray; storms obscure the light of day:
But in Christ I CAN BE BOLD, I’VE AN ANCHOR THAT SHALL HOLD!
Chorus:
I see that faith, confidence and holding on in you, Katy. May you feel the anchor gripping the Rock, Christ Jesus, today.
Love, Aunt Lil
And it holds, MY ANCHOR HOLDS!!!