Jack disliked the texture. For several months we thickened his Liquids to prevent another bout of Pneumonia. We added packets of the Xanthan gum mixture to his water, Coffee, juice, and soup. He called it sludge and balked at Drinking it. Finally we called a truce and I agreed to Let him stop. I'm glad we did because his pneumonia Never returned. Today I was finally able to find a home for The remaining boxes of the thickener that Were taking up space in the garage. The man at the donation center was Delighted to receive them, and I was Delighted to get rid of them. But I felt only compassion for the Unfortunate ones who Must drink the mixture and discover it Tastes like sludge. |
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Do people know I'm watching them as they
Pass by me at Market Day? I try to be discreet as I sit at my sidewalk table, but I never tire of the fascinating people parade. Today I spied a gal with long stringy hair totally colored Blue, and a one armed man wearing a broad Brimmed hat. I observed the vegetable vendor across from Me who must have wished his produce would be Gone by noon when the shopping ended. I admired the spunk of the gal who tapped her Way through the crowd with a white cane. I examined the skin colors, deep brown to light beige, none Truly black or white. The lines passed by too quickly for me to describe more than A few, but I tried to put myself in their shoes. I latched onto a face here and there that somehow Stood out, wondering what burdens they might be facing, and I asked Jesus to touch them. The individuals didn't know I noticed them. They couldn't have known I prayed. Could it be that someone did the same for Me today?
The burdened mom requested prayer for
Her daughter at prayer meeting. The young woman's aggressive cancer has Returned and she's just become engaged. Is the couple foolish or are they being brave? Should they wait until November for Their wedding as planned, or should They elope? Should the bride-to-be begin chemo? It's untested for her particular type and The side effects are great. Is it too dangerous to wait? The endless questions don't seem to Have answers. But in their struggle, Lord, the committed pair Want to honor You, to somehow bring You glory. Shelter them in Your tender Loving care. Shield them from despair. May the love they share be broad enough, High enough, Deep enough to carry them through their Days together whether they be blissful or Unbearably painful, whether they be Many or few. May the star struck couple find courage to Follow their hearts in following You. It was a laid back Saturday morning and
I was walking down the hallway with a Cup of coffee in my hand when I heard the Song playing on the radio. The words stopped me in my tracks. "No more night, no more pain, No more tears, never crying again." As I stood there listening I saw our Wedding picture on the wall staring at me and I was overcome by a mixture of Sorrow and joy. I looked back at my wonder years with Jack, and I was stung by my grievous pain. But I looked ahead to the heavenly days, The eternal glad days, The no more sad days and I began To sing along. "See over there, there's a mansion Prepared for me where I will live with My Savior eternally." And as the chorus came to a grand crescendo I Pumped my fist into the air as though I were Directing Randy's fantastic choir. The words were wondrous: "Praises to the great 'I Am' we will Live in the light of the Risen Lamb." Carefully holding my mug in my left hand and punching With all my might with my right, I was Quite an uncommon sight. When the glorious song ended, my praise break was Over too, and I walked to my bedroom, Plopped into my easy chair and finished my Cup of coffee which by now was lukewarm. Words from "No More Night" by David Phelps A poem about my compassionate friend
The doctor's specialty was reading x-rays, Searching for abnormalities, for Breast cancer markers. The women who had endured the Mammograms had no idea of the Work going on in the dark room, that The woman secluded there was also Engaged in prayer. Each morning before she began her Painstaking task, the specialist asked God to Give her insight beyond her own ability. At times she flinched. Her expert eye knew a woman's life was Soon to change forever, that a somber doctor Would reveal the tragic truth, "You have breast cancer." The radiologist sensed the trauma ahead. She prayed for the still-in-the-dark patient. She prayed for her family who would be Victims too, and for the doctor who would Treat her. She bathed them all in heartfelt prayer realizing That not one of them would ever know. And then she quietly went back to her work. Prayerfully reading x-rays.
My young friend and I were enjoying
Dinner out when we saw the middle aged Daughter and her mom walk past our Table and sit next to us. We exchanged smiles. But I soon realized the mother had dementia. It was painful to watch the two interact. The older lady was in distress. She jabbered. She wept. She whined. As she ate, some of the food spilled Out of her mouth. Fortunately, the waitress was kind and Understanding. When we were finished, my friend and I Stopped by the couple's table to share a Few encouraging words. The daughter had picked up her Befuddled mother from adult daycare and Wanted to have a decent meal before heading Home. But how much longer she could care for Her mom was a looming problem. The bewildered one didn't understand our Concern, but her courageous daughter did. She thanked us for caring and praying. I suppose some folks would have muttered, "That's disgusting! Why doesn't that woman Feed her mother at home?" Before I knew better, I might have Said the same thing. |
Dorothy Kalb Hsu Seitzinger
Writing poetry has helped me process and express my sorrows and joys, my concerns and blessings. "Life is hard, but God is good!" Archives
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