Finding Direction: The Wind Vane Chronicles » Health

A Breath of Kindness . . .

Dee Andrews — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 22:37:35 +0000

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away.

Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

[Note: These are some wonderful thoughts for today and the coming days for you each to think about. Me, too. I'm supposed to be resting for several days because I am fighting two separate infections - one bacterial and the other viral. I'm taking medications for each (more than one for each) and trying to take it easy. I'm just SO thankful I'm at home in this beautiful place God has blessed us with where I can rest and recuperate. Love y'all! May God richly bless you each! Dee]

Photo Contest Judging Nearly FInished – Hang Tight – Another Day or So

Dee Andrews — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:51:49 +0000

Judging and the writing up of the blog on the winners has been going strong. WAS going strong, until Tom got sick about six days ago. It kept on, so I finally had to take him to the doctor today. The diagnosis: “Acute sinusitis/Pharyngitis/Bronchitis.” I suppose it could have been worse. He’s never had his tonsils out, so I’ve been thinking it was tonsillitis and had visions of popcicles galore for a long time to come after surgery.

He had to have a shot, get some antibiotics, nose spray and strong cough syrup, so hopefully will be better in a day or two. At least he’s no longer running fever. Taking care of him can be a “pain,” though! (Just kidding. I love him to pieces and when he hurts, I hurt.)

I’ve set myself a deadline of tomorrow, or if not by then, Wednesday, so y’all please understand – show some empathy, if you’ve ever been sick – and pray with us for his quick recovery now that he has medications.

Many blessings to each of you today! Dee

P. S. I didn’t even mention that my left hand is mostly numb this afternoon from some shots I had to get in the palm of my hand for a couple of “trigger fingers” there. And, that’s not even my shooting hand! But, the gun is loaded and ready with a round chambered, so walk easy!

The “Ayes” (or Eyes) Have It

Dee Andrews — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:35:13 +0000

Good morning, y’all.

Do you have your photo contest photos out and ready to email to me for the Finding Direction Summer 2010 Photo Contest? The deadline is this coming Sunday, and while a lot of entries have been received, there’s still room for a few more.

The contest judges are clamoring to get their hands – eyes – on the entries so that they can ooh and ahh their way to handing out awards to the contest winners. There will be an overall winner, for sure, but if you’ve been around Finding Direction very long, you know that lots of entrants are winners in the various categories.

Speaking of eyes . . . I now have to have cataract surgery on both of mine. The first surgery – on my left eye – is going to be Thursday, with the right eye to follow one day next week.

I’ve had cataracts for several years that have been worsening all the time. But, up until now, they only affected my night vision. I’ve not been able to see to drive at night for quite a long time.

Now, they have clouded up both my lenses so much that my vision can no longer be corrected to 20/20. In fact, I’m on the edge of not having sufficient vision to legally drive. I’ve realized the past two or three months that my vision was not very good, but was hoping I just needed a new prescription. However, when I saw the eye doctor yesterday morning, I found out it was the cataracts blurring and darkening my vision.

So . . . Thursday morning I’m having surgery on my left eye – that has the poorer vision, and then next week will have the right one done – that has the worse cataracts.

Afterward, I should be able to see much better so I’ll really know what’s going on in the world, which may not be to my benefit, ya know?! Sometimes, I think it’s better to look at the world through rose colored glasses, which I may do if I decide to have my new prescription for glasses that I’ll need following surgery tinted pink. Right now I wear glasses with gray tint at the top and pink tint at the bottom on each lens. It’s very flattering to the eyes and reduces glare a bit.

That’s it for now. I must go get things in order around here so I’ll be ready to lay low a day or so later in the week.

Y’all be GOOD today and stay out of trouble, ya hear?! Cheers! And God Bless Us Every One!! Dee

Back Home; Long, Slow, But Full Recovery Expected, So Far, A “Bit” Better Each Day

Dee Andrews — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:36:04 +0000

After eight long days and seven even longer nights in Louisiana Heart Hospital following what proved to be five heart bypasses, Tom was given the release to come home. We got here about 6 p.m. Wednesday evening, with his best friend Ron here to greet us and help Tom get into the house from the garage & straight to bed.

He had two major complications the third day following surgery, which have really sapped his strength and slowed down his healing process, so is about a week behind in where we had hoped he would be by now. Everything is a huge effort, even just walking a few steps. The complications are under control, but continue.

Please continue to remember us both in your prayers. Each of you praying for him – and me – has contributed to him being as far along as he is right now, I’m convinced. He was not doing well at all the last couple of days in the hospital and I spent two hours in deep, earnest prayer with our Father in Heaven the middle of the day asking God to help Tom rally. I went and told the nurses that he desperately wanted to come home, even though they did not feel he was at all ready.

But, we were able to convince the doctors, nurse practitioner and nurses that we knew what we faced (we’ve been here before, if you remember, with his major heart attack in October, 1999 and my five heart bypasses with multiple complications in March 2004), were making plans for help and that he would, indeed, be better off at home.

And, he has been, thank God almighty!

Ron was willing to stay all night Wednesday if we needed him, as Tom was so unsure on his feet. But after being home just a couple of hours, he thought he was able to get around just a bit without falling, and that was good. A Home Health nurse came yesterday to check on him and will be back Monday to do blood work and check his vitals, etc. They sent a really sweet physical therapist this morning to get him started on just some very light exercises to strengthen his legs and arms.

Ron came and stayed with Tom yesterday afternoon for a couple of hours to I could get groceries, more Rx’s, etc,s and came back at noon today to bring us three home cooked meals from friends. Ron even made Tom some homemade chicken noodle soup, which Tom had for lunch today. It’s delicious and full of chunky chicken breast pieces. He’s on a high protein, all he can eat (right now) meal plan.

The Mississippi Press Association sent a fruit basket and other friends have volunteered to bring us meals, as I am busy 24/7 keeping up with him, I’m tellin’ ya.

Last, but not least (you guys will all be happy to know and happy for him! ha!) – he’s managed to rack up some more electronic gadgets as get well/early birthday presents. So, now that he’s home and beginning to feel just a tad better, he’s a happy camper.

Bless Rebecca’s sweet heart, she not only did three loads of laundry, went grocery shopping, and cleaned the house, she made two meals, as well, all the day of Tom’s surgery (week ago Wednesday. Then, she went shopping for a get well gift and gave him a “fine” universal remote he’d been wanted for about four years. It’s identical to Ron’s, so he fully programmed it on Tom’s computer yesterday for him while he was here. Tom’s sister, Debbie, and his older brother, Dickie, and spouses gave him an iHome for his iPod, which includes a docking station, stereo speakers, a clock and alarm. He hasn’t opened it yet, but it is sitting out waiting for him to feel well enough to “play” with it.

The best gift he’s had so far – and mine, as well, has been that Tom’s daughter, Kristine, has been here with us since the evening before his surgery, just leaving Wednesday morning. Her help and care giving of Tom while he was in the hospital was a true Godsend. We couldn’t have made it without her help. Truly.

We feel deeply blessed.

Thank you each. And, many blessings to each of you today! Dee

Rough Ride;Hope For the Best

Dee Andrews — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 01:52:35 +0000

Tom is still in the hospital seven days and nights after five heart bypasses, several complications and complete debilitation, but hopes to come home tomorrow, on the eighth day after.

Please keep him – us – in your prayers. It looks to be a long, slow recovery, but God holds all in His hands and can – and will – provide all that we need.

Many blessings to each of you tonight! Dee

P. S. Sorry for being so long in posting. This has been most difficult. Hope to be back here soon!

The Church White Lie Cake

Dee Andrews — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:05:22 +0000

THE CHURCH WHITE LIE CAKE

Have you ever told a white lie? You are going to love this, especially all of the ladies who bake for church events:

Alice Grayson was to bake a cake for the Baptist Church Ladies’ Group in Tuscaloosa, Alabama but forgot to do it until the last minute. She remembered it the morning of the bake sale and after rummaging through cabinets, found an angel food cake mix & quickly made it while drying her hair, dressing, and helping her son pack up for Scout camp.

When she took the cake from the oven, the center had dropped flat and the cake was horribly disfigured and she exclaimed, “Oh dear, there is not time to bake another cake!” This cake was important to Alice because she did so want to fit in at her new church, and in her new community of friends. So, being inventive, she looked around the house for something to build up the center of The cake. She found it in the bathroom – a roll of toilet paper. She plunked it in and then covered it with icing.

Not only did the finished product look beautiful, it looked perfect. And, before she left the house to drop the cake by the church and head for work, Alice woke her daughter and gave her some money and specific instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it opened at 9:30 and to buy the cake and bring it home. When the daughter arrived at the sale, she found the attractive, perfect cake had already been sold. Amanda grabbed her cell phone & called her mom.

Alice was horrified-she was beside herself! Everyone would know! What would they think? She would be ostracized, talked about, ridiculed! All night, Alice lay awake in bed thinking about people pointing fingers at her and talking about her behind her back.

The next day, Alice promised herself she would try not to think about the cake and would attend the fancy luncheon/bridal shower at the home of a fellow church member and try to have a good time. She did not really want to attend because the hostess was a snob who more than once had looked down her nose at the fact that Alice was a single parent and not from the founding families of Tuscaloosa, but having already RSVP’d , she couldn’t think of a believable excuse to stay home.

The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust old south and to Alice ‘s horror, the cake in question was presented for dessert! Alice felt the blood drain from her body when she saw the cake!

She started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before she could get to her feet, the Mayor’s wife said, “what a beautiful cake!”

Alice, still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess (who was a prominent church member) say, “Thank you, I baked it myself..”

Alice smiled and thought to herself, “God is good.”

Interlude: Thoughts & Scripture For Today

Dee Andrews — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:22:51 +0000

[Note: Have had a very busy week, including being gone all day yesterday to see a neurosurgeon. Am having to have neurosurgery on Tuesday Feb. 2 on my left arm. So, for today, an interlude. Back to Cotter next time.]

Scripture to ponder today:

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

James 3:17, The King James Version

And, here are some wise words, I think. Consider these as well:

“To really know a man, observe his behavior with a woman, a flat tire and a child.”

Unknown

What do you think about James’ definition about wisdom from above? When I think of how so many “Christians” offer only condemnation to others when they have fallen, rather than grace, kindness and the attributes above, I am heartsick. Would I practice in my life – always – all of the attributes above.

What are your thoughts on the thought for today about how to really know a man? What do these things make you think of and do you think they are accurate?

Let’s have some good discussion today, dear friends. I need to hear from you! Many blessings to each of you today! Dee

Who Am I

Dee Andrews — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:34:36 +0000

Casting Crowns

Click here to view the embedded video.

Being in the middle generation between an elderly parent and grown children with young families many times – as has been lately – brings about all kinds of family crises. Add to the mix siblings, nieces and nephews, even a grown grandchild with a little girl of her own and life can become a whirlwind.

It has been thus now for the past several months, more so now than ever, and I begin to wonder who I really am, you know? I have to shift gears so often and quickly that I forget whether I am a mom talking to a grown son or an aging daughter talking with her own mom and sometimes the lines become blurred.

I find myself wanting to just dictate to those around what they should be doing, how to do it, when to do it and let’s just be done with it. I grow impatient with all of them and think that somehow they should just be me, so as to act accordingly.

How foolish I am in thinking those things, but I think human. I don’t even have a clear path before me some days, much less for anyone else. I flounder and fail.

It is hard these days to even find a moment in which to reflect on the deeper values in my life – being God’s bewildered child, striving to do to all, but not even taking very good care of myself in the process.

My pinched nerve in my neck from last spring/summer began flaring up again Sunday. Not terribly painful – yet – and not at all, I hope, so I started sitting in traction again this morning. I tried to do so all day yesterday, but urgent family matters intervened.

I could not even get out of traction this morning before new ones arose.

Upon getting a couple of those “sorta” settled, I decided to watch the video above by Casting Crowns and to remember who I really am and how things really are with me.

I hope you will join me today in praising God and thanking Him for all we have in our lives – even the troubled times – because He is always here with us and will help us and lead us in all we do if we will turn to Him.

Many blessings to each of you today! Dee

P. S. Hope to be back next time with more of our Arkansas Memories Tour.

Amazing Graces

Dee Andrews — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:03:37 +0000

I feel very blessed with amazing graces this morning because of all of your heartfelt comments and prayers on my behalf and for Rebecca and our entire family.

One of the biggest blessings came yesterday about noon when Rebecca called me to tell me she’d had a CT scan early yesterday morning, that the abscess in her right kidney was completely gone and the radiologist took the drain tube out of her kidney that came out on her back, with a tube down her side that had been draining pus for a week and a half.

We all rejoice in this good news for her.

Yet, she has a long way to go, being still on antibiotic and having to take iron tablets three times a day because she is very anemic and they have not yet determined the cause. She tires very easily and must rest a lot.

Also, there are a couple of major rifts in our family right now that are beyond my comprehension or understanding. Tom struggles to understand, as well, as he holds me close as I grieve and cry out to God for wisdom to know how best to be His servant to everyone around me, beginning with my children.

Yet, I am strengthened and uplifted – rested now – by your ongoing prayers for us. God is the source of my peace as I have spent the past two days here at home alone in silence in a beautiful place of meditation on this earth.

I sat here at my desk yesterday afternoon looking out my long window, open to the cool breezes coming from our front porch and the woods across the road (to the east). A small nearly black bird with dark gray breast – a kind I have never seen before – came and perched on the edge of the porch just outside my window and sat for the longest time.

He chirped loudly and clearly and I watched him until he flew away, thanking God for sending him to me to consider. God’s small winged bird that He watches over just as He watches over me. I felt an overwhelming sense of wonder that God loves me so.

So, I leave you with another song today – and video. It is Chris Tomlin singing “Amazing Grace,” but with beautiful lyrics and music of his own added that make it even more inspiring.

May God richly bless you each with His peace today in all things, even in times of greatest hardship, as He has me.

Dee

Click here to view the embedded video.

A Day of Silence, Fasting & Prayer

Dee Andrews — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:26:56 +0000

My dear friends,

I am home (last night at dark) from an eight day, 575 mile (one way) trip alone to go stay with and care for my dear daughter, Rebecca, last week out near Dallas. She spent nine days in the hospital with a severe kidney infection and belatedly discovered abscess in her right kidney. She nearly died during the night a week ago Thursday in the hospital.

She is doing enough better physically that I was able to come home yesterday (in a grueling 10 hour trip, during which I was heavily fatigued – and still am, for that matter).

Tom had all of the lantern lights on across our front porch as I drove up and I began weeping and could not stop for about three hours, I was so happy to be home, to see him and have him hold me in his arms once again.

I had a good night’s sleep last night and have spent the day at home, alone, in complete silence until about 2 p.m., fasting most of the day and in prayer. My family is deeply troubled and I continue to seek your prayers with me and for me, Tom and my family, beginning with Rebecca.

I cannot say more here. But, I do leave you with this deeply meaningful song, that has been in my heart, mind and soul for the past several days. May God strengthen me as He always has in my life so that I may be His servant and have the special graces I so desperately need in this time of crisis to offer wise counsel and help to those in my family who so need His love, grace, help and peace.

Click here to view the embedded video.

May God richly bless each and every one of you who reads this.

Dee