What a day ... for my dad ... for my sister ... for my ....

My dad called me last evening and his first question was, "Have you heard of Murphy's Law?" I assured him I had but didn't really get a chance to tell him that I had heard all about his day from my sister just a couple hours earlier. I was impressed that he seemed in good spirits even after the crazy day he had experienced. Rachel wrote it up for me so I am going to share this in her words ...

"Just thought I'd write this down while I remembered it all. Today started early and I headed out the door with Seth to get his cast off and an x-ray to make sure he is doing okay. He look great. Yeah!!

We were just getting into the car when Dad called to say he was having a big problem. It was 9:30 and he hadn't been given his 8:00am meds yet. I told him I was just getting Seth cared for and he apologized and then continued on by asking me to call Julie. It was very important for him to get his medicine on time since he was leaving at noon for a doctor's appointment. I tried to think this through before calling Julie so I took Seth to get a donut and thought I'd just drop by Glenn Oaks.

I stopped to talk to the Director of Nursing, etc., and then asked, "Has my dad had his 8am meds yet?" She looked at her watch and said, "I'm sure he has." I said, "Well, as of 15 minutes ago, he hadn't had them." Just then, his nurse came out and the director asked him (nurse) if Dad had been given his meds. He said he had apologized, etc. You have to remember that Dad must have his meds on time with his MG (Myasthenia Gravis) condition. I was trying to make a point by just being there and then I asked if he had had his Ensure yet ... his nurse seemed pretty flustered.

I then asked, "What will he do about his meds when he leaves at noon?" Julie said that he can take his noon meds before he leaves or take them with him. (Actually, they would have been too close together if he took them at noon.) I asked if the driver taking him would give it to him. (You have to remember that I had told Dad I could not go with him today since I had to be at an oral surgeon to get a tooth pulled -- that took 5 shots and was pretty difficult to remove.) Julie said, "One of you kids need to be with you dad. They won't see him unless you are there. Can one of your brothers go or maybe your daughter?" I told her I wasn't sure since Jene' was going in to work there at Glenn Oaks at noon.

I got on the road and tried to call Joel and then Thad. I got home and asked Shara if she could go. She was in the middle of her on-line Spanish class. She agreed to go and check Dad in and fill out all the paperwork. Joel then called and said he thought he could make it here and when he called Dad at 11:30, they still hadn't gotten him up and dressed. Joel said he would just try to catch the van when they got on I-70 and I would bring him Dad's insurance cards, etc.

I called and told Julie that Dad needed to call Joel when he left Glenn Oaks. This was at 11:50. She said, "He's already gone!" Wow! They were not to leave until noon and he wasn't even up at 11:30! I was certain that his anxiety level was up since they had to get him dressed so quickly and into the van. This usually causes breathing difficulties for him.

Joel called to say he was stopped on I-70 in traffic around Knightstown. Dad then called to say that they were going to take him on Route 3 to Route 40 instead of I-70. Allen told Joel just to go on I-70, that it will be faster and you can meet them at the hospital where the doctor's office is. Dad then called back to say that the van that he was riding in had broken down right in front of the gas station just up from our house. Joel made a u-turn on I-70 and came back. Dad was in the van using his electric razor and trying not to stress out! Joel got gas in his vehicle and they called another van to take Dad. They then had to move the signs on the grass so they could get him out since he was in his scooter. The scooter gets stuck in the grass -- the other van arrives. Joel helps him get into the van, the driver then asks where she needs to take him. (The appointment was to be at 1pm, by the way, and it is now 12:35!) The driver says she must first go back to Knightstown to drop someone else off and then take him. Joel asked them to call him when they come back through so that he can follow them. Joel comes to our house to get Dad's social security card and insurance cards, etc. I then leave for the dentist.

Joel met up with them, they made it to the hospital and proceed to unload Dad in his scooter. The get in and ask which way to the office and, lo and behold, it is across the street and down the road. Back in the van he goes and down the road! They unload Dad again and try to find the wheelchair ramp. It was completely around the other side of the building. They have him go up the ramp and then he can't get over the threshold! The doctor comes out and says to try to back himself in -- they tried and it still didn't work!! They have to bring out another wheelchair and transfer him into that one and leave his scooter out on the porch.

They get into the office and of course, they need the info that Joel had brought since Glenn Oaks didn't send it with him. By this time, Dad needs his meds which they have crushed up in applesauce so he can take it more easily. But, he needs a glass of water so Joel gets that for him. But, now, he has to go to the bathroom which Joel described as very small. Dad barely was able to get his wheelchair into the room and shut the door.

By the way, Joel got Dad a new phone so Jimmy went with him to get that all set up. Can you believe Dad actually survived the day??

With Mother's Day so close, I thought about our mother and how she must be smirking as she watched us struggle through this day. I am sure she is amused but yet so proud of her children and how they are taking care of Dad just like she asked us to do. We are honoring her by caring for him.

It it hadn't been so stressful, it would have just been about the funniest day ever!!"

Back to my dad's call to me ... he did tell me that after he talked to the doctor (he arrived an hour and twenty minutes late for his appointment but they worked him in), he asked if he could make a request. The doctor said that he could so my dad asked if he could pray with him. The doctor seemed a little surprised but welcomed my dad praying for him and for his medical practice.

He also told me that he was about as stressed as he could be when he got to the doctor's office and thought he might just stop breathing. But, he then decided to just sit back and try to relax which he must have done because he was in pretty good spirits when he called me and could actually see the humor in the whole day!! Murphy's law!!

The joys of motherhood!!

Honoring Mothers!

... who are also daughters!

Each year, we often turn our thoughts to our mothers. And I do, too ... and wish that mine was nearby so that I could honor her once again for so many things. However, she has gone on to heaven -- yet somehow, I believe she is nearby in spirit.

Bob and I talked yesterday about our daughters and their roles as moms. Each one has proven to be an awesome mother (am I prejudiced?) and I want to honor them today!

Roxanne is our oldest and while she is does not like to think about her age, she is 37 years old. She is young at heart and I always appreciate the humor she brings into our lives. She can see something funny in a somewhat serious situation and dissolve all of us into hysterics in just a few moments. She is the most like me probably -- which is why we butt heads quite often. She is mom to 17 year old Kasi and 9 year old Kamen. She has faced some unusual challenges as a mom over the past few months but has handled them with grace. Raising teenagers is never an easy job -- we had four of them at the same time!

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Sandi is next and just 10-1/2 months younger than Roxanne. (Wow, had 'em close, huh?) No, we adopted Roxanne and by the time she was 6 weeks old, I was pregnant with Sandi. Go figure! They are true soul mates! Tyler didn't come along until Sandi and Tim had been married 10 years so Sandi was a very doting aunt -- just ask Roxanne. She was right there ... even when there was a parent/teacher meeting at school. Sandi was a willing and avid advocate for Kasi! When she was pregnant with Tyler, Kamen would sit beside her and put both of his hands on her stomach. He wasn't quite 2 years old. He would sit for up to 20-30 minutes with his hands both placed so that he could feel any movement that Tyler might make. And Tyler and Kamen are like brothers -- they love and they fight like brothers!! When Tyler was in the first weeks of kindergarden, he was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. (It is the mildest form of Autism and those who have this are often called 'little professors'! So true!) Needless to say, it stunned them but they rallied and threw themselves into an intense study of this syndrome and have become very knowledgable in this field.

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Teri is a mom of four at 34 years old -- and juggles school schedules and bottles all at the same time. Mom to three daughters, Marley, 12; Regan, 10; Bailey, 9; and one son, Rudy -- who just turned 1 on Saturday! When I babysit for her, it becomes a challenge to follow her schedule and I wonder how I did it all those years ago. I look at Regan and see a miniature Teri and I think, "Look out, world!" Rudy has brought a whole new dimension into their lives! They had adjusted their lives to having three daughters, dance classes and recitals, gymnastics and volleyball games. And along came Rudy who already is 'all boy'. That was an adjustment for Teri ... now each of the girls has one boy!

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Shonna may be the youngest but we do not call her the baby (she is almost 32). She is probably the most in disposition like Bob but has some of my emotions. A dangerous combination! (lol!) She is the mom to one little guy, RJ (Robert Joseph) who was five years old in March. I think RJ (and Ron and Shonna, also) would like for him to have a brother or sister but so far that has not happened. They recently added a golden lab to their family ... not necessarily an easy addition for Shonna since it is still a 'pup' but RJ fell in love with his dog and isn't anxious to give him up! "You promised, Mom!" RJ recently had corrective surgery and it was tough on Mom (and Dad). But, they all came through it well and RJ is back to his active self!

I have watched each of the girls with their children and feel so blessed -- I've seen many mothers who feel that they have to become involved in the disciplining and raising of their grandchildren and while I don't feel limited by the girls, I just have not felt the necessity. (Well -- maybe on occasion if the parents were not around and I was responsible for them ... Regan, are you reading this?) They are working diligently to establish Christian homes and influences in their lives.

So, on this Mother's Day -- Happy Mother's day to my daughters ... who have blessed my life more they can possibly imagine!

More memories ....

I am spending this week at my brother, Tim's, home. For about 4-1/2 years, it was just him and me! And we were quite content after I finally decided I could accept another child into the family. I'm afraid I was quite the spoiled little girl and was not about ready to relinquish that place!! However, the time came that I not only accepted the little brother but finally decided that he was quite humorous. So, he would entertain -- I would laugh at him. The more he entertained, the more I laughed!

Tim had a very special place in my mother's heart. While she loved us all, he was her firstborn son. Money was very scarce during that time and the story she tells is that they really couldn't afford to buy meat products. As Tim grew up, it seemed that he craved meat (we can tell you all kinds of stories about that) and my mother attributed it to that.

During the last month of my mother's life, a good portion of it was spent in a semi-coma. Tim told me about the day he visited her and she was basically unresponsive to the events around her. He began to sing "Amazing Grace" and twice during the song, she reached her arms to hug him -- evidence that she was aware her oldest son was nearby.

It was not that she loved any of us any less -- each of us had special relationships and the boys (especially Mark) loved to tease her by doing things that he knew would annoy her at least a little. Like sitting down at the piano when he walked in the house or apartment and playing some song she thought might be too worldly! Let me assure you that it was not an act of disobedience but you would usually hear, "Oh, Mark!!"

We laughed together after she passed away (I know that sounds a little odd but we were remembering things that made her special) and we talked about her calls from the laundry room. If she needed to discuss something with us she felt was private (perhaps pertaining to concerns about my dad's health or finances), she would call us from the laundry room. There were times when these were serious calls and others when she needed one of us to give her perspective on whatever was going on that day.

As our parents got older, they decided that they could appear 'normal' in their marriage. They always wanted us to believe (and we did and still do) that theirs was a marriage made in heaven and solid as a rock. I believe it was but they are as human as the rest of us. Thank goodness!! They could disagree and it was usually when my dad interrupted (or my mother thought he did) and she lost her train of thought (which could happen frequently.) He thought she was done -- she had just stopped to think for a minute. Oh my ... what fun that could produce especially when you were a child looking on ... I was relieved to know that they were as human as the rest of us!!

My mother is of Swedish heritage -- and I believe she and her mother (oh, and Aunt Wanda, too) invented the cliche', "Stubborn Swede". (None of us inherited that trait -- ha!!!) There was just so far you could push her ... and her first response to a request was often 'No'. We always knew we could persuade our dad more easily although he always started the answer with, "What did your mother say?" Aw, shucks!! However, many times the two of them went into another to discuss our request and sometimes the answer was 'yes' and sometimes 'no'.

Successful surgery

RJ had a successful surgery (only took about 25 minutes)! I'm sure he may be uncomfortable for a couple days but other than that, he should be fine. Had he not had the surgery, there is a chance he could not have fathered children (okay, so I could have said it in a more simple way). I think it was harder on the parents than on RJ! Thanks for your prayers!

Little boys are special ...

Please pray for our grandson, RJ, who is to have some corrective surgery tomorrow at All Children's Hospital. (scheduled for 10:45am) While it appears to be a routine type of surgery, needless to say, it brings some fear and concern to parents and grandparents. So, we would appreciate your prayers -- I know Shonna and Ron will, too!

One of the things I miss about being away from home is getting to see my grandkids -- especially the little guys who live nearby. Sometime it is a hug from Kamen, an "I love you" from Tyler and an "uh, too" ... after I've told RJ I love him (his rendition of "I love you, too"), each one is a precious memory.

Today, I got to be with another special little guy, Seth Balty who just turned 4 (well, he told me thought he might be 5 ... ). He was sooo much fun even though I know he worried his mother, Amy, when she felt like he might be moving into verbal overflow! However, I was intrigued from the first moment he saw me and said, "I've been wanting to see you!" as he climbed over me to get to the chair beside me. And then he said, "I was looking for your car!!" (I have a rental car so he had been disappointed.) He kept me quite occupied and while we did get some 'girl talk' in, we decided that the best plan would be for me to go to their house the next time so Seth could play and we could talk.

However, it was great to be with Amy ... she's looking great and while she is not 100% yet, it is obvious from the last time I saw her that God is bringing healing to her body.

So, here's a photo I took of Seth today -- when he was still enough for me to take it. He's one sharp little guy and if you listen closely, you will learn lots of important info!

My mother, my friend, part 2!

I didn't include a program from Augustana in the previous post ... also, if you are interested in actually reading the articles, you may click on the photo and it will take you to an enlargement -- okay, so you already knew that, right??

My mother, my friend!

As Mother's Day nears, my mind continues to go back over the years -- after my mother's passing, Rachel and I went through photo albums and scanned in photo after photo. It's amazing what memories these brought back -- some of the photos actually didn't have anything to do with us directly -- but, indirectly, definitely!!

Piano ... piano lessons!! Practice ... lots of it! And obviously, my mother had practiced a lot! A whole lot as she had the privilege of providing accompaniment at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. We found this program among the photos ...

I also found two newspaper articles and I realize they are difficult to read -- however, one reported that my mother was the first female manager of the Rock Island High School Band. I was impressed!!

And, also, she was also a spelling champion! Like we wouldn't know that. I'm not sure that any one of us have problems with spelling. With a dad who majored in English and a mother who was a spelling champion, we were destined to be somewhat aware of rules of grammar. Do I always adhere to those rules? No, not always by any stretch. (Like ending a sentence with preposition! I seem to do that quite frequently!!)

My mother played down some of her accomplishments and I wish I would have pressed her more to share. I don't think she wanted to appear proud. But, what talents she had that were recognized!!

So, once again, I honor my mother ... because she has instilled many of her talents in her grandchildren! And they are reminders every day of a very special lady!

My mother's legacy!

This photo tells the story ... this is a legacy that is worth more than any amount of money a parent could leave to their children. She wore out more than one Bible in her lifetime.




Rachel's youngest children, Juliana and Seth Mark, may be young but they had a special relationship with Grandma. Seth Mark in particular had a tough time the day they visited my mother's grave.

Mother's Day is just around the corner ...

It has been a year and a half since my mother went on to her heavenly home. At times, it seems like just yesterday and other times when it seems like forever.

This week, I have passed the Mother's Day cards on several occasions and my instinct has been to go find a card for my mom. I was never one to get cards delivered early -- the best of intentions but usually was a little behind. So, there's been a nagging thought, "I need to get a Mother's Day card!"


So, rather than buying a Mother's Day card, I thought I would post a short blog now (and a longer one closer to Mother's Day) including photos from my growing up days. I am the oldest of six which was a special place but also held special responsibility that continues to this day.


While I never attended Olivet Nazarene College (or University as it is now), I was there! I was born while my dad was attending ONC.

I wasn't too thrilled to have a baby brother added to the mix. However, today I am quite thrilled with him since he allows me to stay in his home when I'm in Atlanta. But, that's not the only reason I love him.

Jumping way ahead, I loved my brothers but had hoped that sometime we might add another girl to our family.

So, along came Rachel -- we waited FOREVER for a girl to join our family. I was almost 15 when she arrived and my life has never been the same. I am truly blessed!

How well I remember when I graduated from high school. A huge graduating class of "1" .. Yup, I was valedictorian and all around flunky -- all wrapped into one!!

My mother was a lady of all kinds of talents -- from being an accomplished pianist to a talented seamstress. She excelled in secretarial skills. She loved us all -- and never, ever showed favoritism. Most of all, she prayed for all of us! I remember hearing at the funeral that the thing the grandchildren would miss most would be the ability to call Grandma Boynton and know that she would be praying for whatever request and concern was on their minds that day.

We are truly blessed to have had the influence of a godly mother! And what a legacy she has left for us!

So, Mother -- we miss you more than you know. But, we also know that it won't be that long until we meet you in heaven. And I know that you will be waiting, and will welcome us with, "I thought I heard you coming!"

An early Happy Mother's Day!!