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Post by AquaHolic on Nov 6, 2008 15:09:59 GMT -4
Hahahaha!! Alcatraz- Those are always the best! Sequel- Those are so great- especially this one-this hits home big time- Your friends will know you better in the first minute you meet than your acquaintances will know you in a thousand years. Barb- I don't know what you're going through, but I'm sending you a big hug as well. Thanks Ann...my mom who is 87 is not doing well...she will be having lung surgery on 11/11 to remove a rather large tumor in her lung. Today I found out the surgery is still on although she has been in the hospital for 2 weeks (got out last friday) for unrelated issues....ugh. I am a bit freaked out. I love what everyone has written in this thread...some are funny some are serious...but they are all good! Barb
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Post by - on Nov 6, 2008 19:04:46 GMT -4
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time Barb. May you somehow find comfort and peace during your journey ahead with your mom. - -
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Post by linda712 on Nov 8, 2008 2:22:04 GMT -4
Thank you, Ann! I really like that one too -- it's absolutely so very true.
Barb, I'm so sorry to hear your mom has to go through this surgery. Prayers for a speedy recovery to her and to your family.
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Post by moosie on Nov 9, 2008 8:34:13 GMT -4
hi barb--my dad's been diagnosed with untreatable, metastasized cancer--he's 91. My prayers are with you and your mom.
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Post by AquaHolic on Nov 9, 2008 8:52:26 GMT -4
hi barb--my dad's been diagnosed with untreatable, metastasized cancer--he's 91. My prayers are with you and your mom. Moosie...I am so sorry...You and your dad will be in my thoughts and prayers...If you ever need to vent...let me know...I vent all the time to Alcatraz and - and Shorty....who all listen to me..and they always have a knack for saying the right things to me to make me feel better. Venting is the KEY to sanity!...I can take credit for this saying Barb
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Post by alcatraz on Nov 9, 2008 11:02:29 GMT -4
. Venting is the KEY to sanity!...I can take credit for this saying Barb That saying is a keeper. It has worked for me Barb in the past. I am a new person already. And with what, just one session? But, my therapist from Centerville, she was amazing. ;D
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Post by Ann on Nov 10, 2008 10:15:04 GMT -4
Barb- I'm thinking of you-It's so hard to watch our parents go through bad health. I went through it with my dad last year. I stayed with them for 5 months after his heart surgery and try to go back at least once a week still. I had a hard time leaving them-when they get sick, we tend to forget just how strong they really are.
I know you said tomorrow was your mom's surgery, I will be thinking and sending prayers your way. Let me know how you are doing when you can.
Ann
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Post by - on Nov 10, 2008 22:40:04 GMT -4
Moosie, I didn't know how bad your dad is. I'm so very sorry. Barb, I hope all goes well for your mother tomorrow. You all are in our prayers.
I'm having my own personal down moment myself, as my dad all of a sudden can't dress himself anymore, and taking a shower is a challenge for my husband to do for him at this very moment.....
To all of the care giving children here. I hope you watched the link that I posted. That is life for so many of us now. May God bless you Barb, Moosie, Traz, and everyone else who have the patience and care to do this on a daily basis. It's a very challenging course for those of us that do this.
My husband says there is not enough alcohol at times. For me...I just want to go outside and scream on the top of my lounges and then sit down for a great big Boo Hoo.
-CG
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Post by alcatraz on Nov 10, 2008 23:22:31 GMT -4
Caring for anyone that you love and see them suffer is not for the faint hearted.
There was an inspirational saying that helped me. I wasn't going to post this, but seeing that so many people on this site are going through things like I have, I will share it.
As I watched my healthy 11 year old son go bald, stop eating, no longer able to walk on his own and fade away to 90 pounds, I felt like I was the one dying inside and not him. Repeated surgeries, never ending chemotherapy... was all I knew. That became my life for one year. There were mornings that I could not even get off of my knees from weeping. I was weary. Physically, spiritually and emotionally empty. I thought I couldn't make it one more day.
Then one day I saw this sign. It said "Courage doesn't always roar, sometimes it's just a little voice that says I will try again tomorrow."
It was like an epiphany for me. I loved my child. I could never not be there for him, but I wasn't as strong as I used to be and I even felt like giving up at times. That inspirational saying told me that all that was okay. I may not be as strong as I once was, but I am still showing up and I am still where I need to be, next to my boy's bedside.
He passed away that year, but I have still turned to that inspirational saying many times since then. For other loved ones of mine that have suffered and died.
Barb, Moosie, Ann, Citigirl and anyone hurting because their loved one is ill or in failing health, know that you are all making a difference in their lives.
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Post by - on Nov 11, 2008 19:18:30 GMT -4
Traz, I will try again tomorrow. Thank you, -CG
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Post by linda712 on Nov 11, 2008 23:31:39 GMT -4
....Alcatraz, my heart just broke again.....and bless yours.....too much pain for one person to go through.
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Post by moosie on Nov 12, 2008 0:22:57 GMT -4
alcatraz--i can't imagine anything worse than losing a child. i'm so sorry.
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Post by AquaHolic on Nov 12, 2008 8:09:30 GMT -4
Caring for anyone that you love and see them suffer is not for the faint hearted. There was an inspirational saying that helped me. I wasn't going to post this, but seeing that so many people on this site are going through things like I have, I will share it. As I watched my healthy 11 year old son go bald, stop eating, no longer able to walk on his own and fade away to 90 pounds, I felt like I was the one dying inside and not him. Repeated surgeries, never ending chemotherapy... was all I knew. That became my life for one year. There were mornings that I could not even get off of my knees from weeping. I was weary. Physically, spiritually and emotionally empty. I thought I couldn't make it one more day. Then one day I saw this sign. It said "Courage doesn't always roar, sometimes it's just a little voice that says I will try again tomorrow." It was like an epiphany for me. I loved my child. I could never not be there for him, but I wasn't as strong as I used to be and I even felt like giving up at times. That inspirational saying told me that all that was okay. I may not be as strong as I once was, but I am still showing up and I am still where I need to be, next to my boy's bedside. He passed away that year, but I have still turned to that inspirational saying many times since then. For other loved ones of mine that have suffered and died. Barb, Moosie, Ann, Citigirl and anyone hurting because their loved one is ill or in failing health, know that you are all making a difference in their lives. Alcatraz...I am so sorry for the loss of your precious son...my heart goes out to you. This post is exactly what I needed this morning...it sure does put things in perspective. Yesterday was very hard for me...but my mom came through the surgery...she is in a great deal of pain from the drain tube in her lung...but the tumor did not look cancerous to the Doc...but we won't know for sure for a few days. In a way its sad to know people are going through similar issues with their loved ones...because you never want anyone to suffer...but its also a comfort to me that I am not alone. Thank you so much for sharing this difficult time that happened in your life. My son is 9 and I can't imagine in a million years what you went through. Thank you for being so kind to me with all your PM's. Barb
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Post by lynn on Nov 13, 2008 14:11:59 GMT -4
Oh my gosh ladies, I'm so sorry to hear all of this. I will say a prayer for you all. Moosie, I know our views are often at odds, but I hope you know that I am sincere when I say I feel for you and will pray for you too.
God loves us all and will help us get through our tough times even when things seem hopeless he will put out his hand and walk us through.
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Post by funnel101 on Nov 13, 2008 14:36:01 GMT -4
Footprints:
One night, a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.
This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.
The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.
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Post by speedergurl68 on Nov 13, 2008 17:48:46 GMT -4
One of my very favorite stories funnel....yep...it sure is.
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Post by linda712 on Nov 14, 2008 0:52:14 GMT -4
I absolutely love Footprints. Years ago I cross stitched the entire verbiage and it was magnificent (it really was!). Hung it on my wall for a few years and enjoyed it so much, then ended up giving it to my mom as she loved it probably more. Still get to enjoy it when at the farm.
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Post by einebierbitte on Nov 14, 2008 12:06:15 GMT -4
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won't survive the week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people around the world.
If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world.
If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare, especially in the United States.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.
If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all.
You are so blessed in ways you may never even know.
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Post by - on Nov 14, 2008 18:20:31 GMT -4
That is so beautiful eine, and so very true. Thank you for sharing that.
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Post by AquaHolic on Nov 14, 2008 20:28:29 GMT -4
Eine... That really puts Reality in the picture....its wonderful..and so true. Barb
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Post by linda712 on Nov 20, 2008 20:23:43 GMT -4
Sarah Meyer's mother sent this to me -- remember Sarah from Island Bay Days? I really wanted to post it.
Subject: The Scar
Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole that was behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
In the house, his mother was looking out the window. She saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could.
Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed, and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms, just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began a very incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.
A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim, and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. On his arms, there were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh; in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.
The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked the boy if he would show him his scars.
The boy lifted his pant legs. Then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, 'But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go.'
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly, and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been right there, holding on to you.
The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you, and provide for you in every way. But, sometimes, we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril ~ and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That is when the tug-of-war begins. If you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He will not ever let you go.
Pass this on to those you love. God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life, and what they are going through. Never judge other persons scars, because you don't know how they got them.
Also, it is so important that we are not too selfish to receive the blessings of these messages without forwarding them to someone else. Right now, someone needs to know that God loves them, and you love them too ~enough to not let them go!!!
God bless!
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Post by - on Nov 20, 2008 22:38:12 GMT -4
Seq., How beautiful and how true. Thanks for posting that, sometimes we all need reminders. -CG
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Post by linda712 on Nov 21, 2008 0:46:45 GMT -4
Brought a few (many) tears to my eyes for all sorts of reasons, but especially since it was from Sarah's mom, Marlene....Sarah, 21 years old, and who recently and successfully completed her last chemo treatment and is on the road to recovery......and hopefully to the alter.
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Post by speedergurl68 on Nov 21, 2008 7:27:52 GMT -4
Sarah and Marlene and everyone I have met in that family are so wonderful....knowing what they have been through and how precious they are....humbles me and makes me know that my problems...are nothing compared to others and they inspire me to continue forward.
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Post by ljp on Nov 25, 2008 17:52:26 GMT -4
Choose Joy
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