November 18, 2008 3:06 PM
Tripp is home
Is is 3:30 already? Like many of you. I'm wondering where the day has gone.Things I am grateful for:
*our finding this lovely house to rent - with the master bedroom on the first floor since Tripp cannot negotiate steps right now.
* a fireplace in our bedroom. I put his hospital bed next to it and it is cozy and peaceful there.
*dropped-off dinners and meeting beautiful families from my church who bring a string of children to carry it all in. How beautiful is the body of Christ!
This was Josh and Hattie's wedding song. Today it is bringing tears to my eyes again. I can hardly find the words to thank those who've reached out to help our family.
I am rushing out now. I had two tickets to see Carmen at the Washington National Opera tonight -purchased long ago when I had no idea what our lives would look like on November 18. When we were wealthy, Tripp and I had season tickets to the San Francisco Opera and we always bought the best seats. Well, what we thought were the best seats, for I discovered when I bought the cheapest seats last spring that I really do like the very last row of the very last balcony.
Maddy and I are going tonight. I consider this part of her music education, but it seems a little frivolous right now. Three girls from church are coming to take care of the boys since Tripp can't get out of bed. How kind and generous people have been.
Without the trips to the hospital, I was able to catch up on a few things today - including paying bills and laundry. Tomorrow I will catch up on a little more.
One thing I am learning from moms with seven or eight children who are cooking dinner and bringing it over - is that I will no longer consider my plate as full, but will stretch myself a little more to help others when my life is back to normal.
Blessings - and thanks for your prayers. Yesterday was pretty awful as Tripp was in excruciating pain on the way home. But he is more comfortable today. It is so good to have him home - and I am learning to be more Florence Nightingale-ish - something which has never been a natural gifting :)
Posted in Family, My life | Permalink
Comments
Barbara, I'm so glad to hear it. Enjoy your time tonight with your daughter! You cannot give what you do not have - relax and refresh today!
Posted by: Milehimama | November 18, 2008 4:18 PM
I am so glad that things are hopefully straightening up for you...will continue praying..
Posted by: Rachel | November 18, 2008 4:32 PM
Barbara,
I'm so glad you're getting help. God bless you, and your helpers.
Posted by: Julana | November 18, 2008 4:50 PM
Yay!!! Tripp is home! Praise God! Isn't it wonderful that God foreknew that y'all would need a bedroom on the first floor?
Posted by: Libby | November 18, 2008 5:08 PM
We have been and will continue to keep Tripp and the entire family in our prayers, Barbara. Sending many hugs and prayers across the miles!
Hope you have a nice evening tonight!
Posted by: Jennifer Mackintosh | November 18, 2008 5:33 PM
It's wonderful that you had such an outpouring of support from your church. I went through a similarly difficult time this summer, and in spite of the fact that I called my catholic church (which I attend each and every sunday) a number of times begging for any help that they could give us, nobody showed up with frozen meals. They told me that they didn't have a minsitry that could help me, and made vague promises to "ask" and to "try" that never went anywhere. Now reading stories like yours just makes my heart ache. I was juggling a husband with MRSA, caring for my seriously ill mother at home, raising a child, and working full time from home all by myself.
Posted by: Catherine | November 18, 2008 6:11 PM
How good to know he's home Momma; I hope the warmth of home helps him feel better, inside and out.
We love you guys!
You are in our prayers.
Posted by: LadyLovas | November 18, 2008 7:58 PM
So, maybe your learning to be more Nightingale-ish will in turn be a gift to the Body some day, in some way.
What a blessing to be members of the Body of Christ -- no more, no less.
Posted by: Hannah | November 18, 2008 8:59 PM
I'm so happy Tripp is home and that your fellow parishioners are helping you. What a wonderful way to bond and surely asilver lining to this very dark cloud.
Posted by: Judy | November 18, 2008 9:00 PM
Barbara, I'm so glad Tripp is home and comfortable. It's also wonderful to hear that the local Body of Christ is ministering to your family! Praise God! Continued prayers for you and your family.
Posted by: Diane | November 19, 2008 2:08 AM
WELCOME HOME, TRIPP!!! God is soooooo good! I know the Curtis Family is counting their many blessings! Our prayers for you ALL continues!
Posted by: Betty Connally | November 19, 2008 9:48 AM
A message to Catherine,
I am so sad to hear of your experience. Maybe if things are more settled for your family now, you might want to try to start an Outreach Ministry in your parish. 6 years ago, 5 moms got together in our parish and decided we needed a ministry for moms of young children. Today, our Moms Faith Formation group has regular meetings, two bible studies, a babysitting coop, playgroup, couples dinners and much more. Same with our outreach group, where hundreds of meals, rides, visits per year are offered to families in need.
You might be surprised by just how quickly these things take hold when you give them a chance! What ablessing it would be to be someone who helped create something so beautiful. Email me at daniellemrudock@aol.com if you want to discuss further.
Posted by: Danielle | November 19, 2008 12:55 PM
I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I wanted to plug Elizabeth Ministries as a resource for families in crisis.
From their website (http://www.elizabethministry.com/):
"Elizabeth Ministry is an international movement designed to support women and their families during the joys, trials and sorrows of the childbearing years. Elizabeth Ministry’s mission is to cherish children, encourage families and build community."
They don't have an online directory of chapters yet, but they responded very quickly when I emailed them asking for a list of chapters in my area.
Posted by: Minna | November 19, 2008 4:03 PM
I'm still praying for you and your family, even though I live all the way up here. I hope you and your daughter really enjoy "Carmen". It's one of my favorites! It's catchy!
Posted by: Anna | November 19, 2008 9:57 PM
Wow, Barbara! There's been so much in your life recently!! Thank you for keeping us updated! I'm just so thankful for the Lord, that you have hope eternal!!! Praise Him! Praying for Tripp right now!
Posted by: shawnda | November 21, 2008 3:20 PM
