More Than Just New Knees

I have been sleeping really well at night the last 2 weeks. (Given I have been in a hospital bed.) ☺ I cannot express enough love and appreciation to my family and friends near and far who have fed and loved and prayed for me. My husband has been a saint. He has protected me from hospital food. I, however, cannot write all the kindnesses and services he has extended to me. (Truly, you do not want to know! ☺) He has been diligent and Christ-like .

Getting two new knees has taught me more than just how to get around better. It has taught me to love more.
It has been a unique experience.

Last night I went to sleep feeling a little emotional with the following primary song running through my mind:

“All over the world at the end of day, Heavenly Father’s children kneel down to pray. Each saying thank you in his own special way……”

I had just said good night to my family but also to my the “clinical assistant” (nurses aide) Her name was “Comfort” and as she was giving me comfort, she told me how she had come to this country 12 years ago from Ghana. She has much extended family here but she left her father behind to come to this country. She may never see him again. She touched my heart as she worked to “comfort” me.

I have met so many others as well. I could watch these hard-working care givers come and go or I can talk to them and get to know them just a little. I decided to do the latter. It has been rewarding and touching to see them as children of a Heavenly Father who deeply loves them. I can feel that.

I met Osana from Romania (I think that is her name) first at the foot of my bed at what I think was midnight one night. With a heavy accent and un-tempered voice I awoke to her asking me how much water I had had to drink that day. I wondered impatiently, “Do I know you?” The second time I met her, and I was feeling a little repentant, I asked about her nationality and family and life in general, I immediately changed my feelings and attitude about her. Without reservation, I loved her. I will not quickly forget her.

I have had a nurse from Lithuania (who told me there was not one good thing about Russia where I told her my son had spent two years). I loved her anyway because she called me “sweetheart” all the time. “Now you get some sleep sweetheart” she would say with her heavy accent.

One night I had a very colorful nurse who seemed all Jamaican to me. I sort of watched to make sure I got the right meds that night, but she was kind and warm.

One of my favorites was just little Katie from Montgomery IL. I will always love Katie. She spread happieness everywhere she went. Thank you Katie. And there was Doreen, and Kathleen, Kristin, and Britney, and so many more who not only had a great handle on nursing but on kindness and love. I will forever be grateful for each one of them.

“All Over the World At The End of Day, Heavely Father’s Children kneel down and pray, Each saying Thank You in their own special way, saying Thank you, Thank you, in their own special way.”
Thank you to all of you!!!

Marriage: A Bicycle Built for Two

I think life is kind of like riding a bicycle (hmmm does that surprise anyone?) and I think that a good marriage is like riding a bicycle built for two: partners riding together in perfect harmony, peddling hard up the really steep hills, occasionally hitting bumps and roadblocks along the way, gliding down the easier slopes, always together in effort and purpose, encouraging and helping, working together toward a final destination that they can not reach alone, unified, and enjoying the view.

Marriage and tandem riding are neither one a free ride. Both partners must be contributors. One cannot coast while the other puts forth the only effort. Both must peddle, and one must steer. They must be in agreement in order to arrive safely “home”.

The Power of Love

I can’t stop thinking about one of the final stories in F Enzio Busche’s book Yearning for the Living God. Elder Busche told how he helped an elder become cleansed from an evil spirit. What was so profound to me about the story was that LOVE was the solution. He told how these scriptures… “perfect love casteth out all fear” and …”pray unto the Father with all energy of heart that ye may be filled with this love”, came to his mind as he dealt with the elder’s situation. As he cast off fear and was filled with love the adversary could not stay. The evil one could not abide the LOVE.
That story has filled me with wonder. I have set out on a journey to discover what exactly is (pardon me Huey Lewis) the Power of Love. Doctrine and Covenants 121 says that the power of the priesthood is maintained by LOVE. (see INDEX p.215) I think there is more to love than meets the eye.
Elder Busche said that he learned that our purpose is to fill our souls with love, that truth contains the essentials for our survival. Hmmmm. More to learn and think about!!