Tonight, when I tucked Jeanne in bed and gave her a goodnight kiss, I asked, "Are you happy?"

Jeanne whispered, "Yes."

It's the nicest Christmas present I've received in a long, long time. Maybe ever. --Jim

Merry Christmas, Jim
Maebee

That is lovely. Cherish it. Maybe start recording those moments Jim if you haven't already. I wish I had done that with my father. He said some of the most endearing things to me and I would give anything to hear his voice again.

I agree with Kat-- my Dad passed away in Oct. and my sisters and I were just saying how we wished we had Dads voice and some of his sayings towards the on tape. One time he was trying to pray and he said to Mom I belive what you believe and you belive what I believe and they believe what we believe and we believe what they believe and God believes what we believe. Another time Dad said I love you very much and then he wiggles his finger and says no-- I love you very very much. I wish I had that on tape.

Merry Christmas- Jim

Christy

Jim - I know that moment with Jeanne was precious. What a priceless gift from her. Thanks for sharing.

Katerin and 4sisters - You've convinced me to do what I had thought might be a good idea and that is to get several of the "talking" picture frames that are on the market now and record mom's voice and keep one for myself and give the other's to my brothers. I wasn't sure if that would be hard to have after she passes or not. After reading your posts, I think I will do this asap. She is losing her vocabulary daily but still says 'Hello, I love you'.
Wish me luck in capturing that on the recording.

She's doing her night wandering - gotta go.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Broede:
Tonight, when I tucked Jeanne in bed and gave her a goodnight kiss, I asked, "Are you happy?"

Jeanne whispered, "Yes."

It's the nicest Christmas present I've received in a long, long time. Maybe ever. --Jim

Oh how one simple word can make everything else lighter, brighter, and put the spring back in one's step.
God Bless you Jim.

What a lovely gift.

quote:

Originally posted by Serenity:
Jim - I know that moment with Jeanne was precious. What a priceless gift from her. Thanks for sharing.

Katerin and 4sisters - You've convinced me to do what I had thought might be a good idea and that is to get several of the "talking" picture frames that are on the market now and record mom's voice and keep one for myself and give the other's to my brothers. I wasn't sure if that would be hard to have after she passes or not. After reading your posts, I think I will do this asap. She is losing her vocabulary daily but still says 'Hello, I love you'.
Wish me luck in capturing that on the recording.

She's doing her night wandering - gotta go.

Serenity,
About a week before my father died and he was still talking a little, we asked him if he wanted anything. He requested that we sing together. ( We have never done that except in church) So, my sister was on one side and I was on the other and we cradled him in our arms and started singing hymns. He joined in with his weak precious little singing voice- he was always shy about singing and wouldn't even do it too loud in church. But there we were, the three of us singing and praising God together and Daddy ended by praying and saying thank you God for everything. Thank you Jesus.

I would give anything to hear that again even though it would be painful. It was a beautiful, spiritual moment that drew my sister and I together forever and because of the love of our Daddy, we experienced the power of God. If I had it all to do over, I would have recorded something. That moment may not have been meant to be captured on tape but it is forever captured on my heart and soul.

Your Jeanne is a lovely person. I know how touched you were by her whispered "yes". You are to be commended for your devotion and excellent care you provide for her. But I also know you will simply say, "I do it out of love" and I understand because I love my man in the same way. .

Jim

You made me smile...its the simple things we cherish most...and that make our day..

About 2 weeks before mom's emergency surgery from which she never actually came home, I came home from work and she had her purse and was waiting to go 'home'.

I convinced her we should eat dinner first, she ate quickly so we could go 'home'. As we ate she reminded me several times it was time to go. I finally said "Mama, we are spending the night here tonight." She answered "We are?? but but I don't even have my nightgown!" I answered "I brought it. I brought your favorite sheets and comforter too." I changed her clothes and brushed her teeth and she was amazed we were in a strange place yet she had everything she needed.

I tucked her in her own bed in her own room which she no longer recognized. I said "I love you so much Mommy, and I'm so glad you're here." She smiled and with her eyes drifting off to sleep she said "I'm glad I'm here too." Then she chuckled, "even though I don't know where HERE is!"

Those precious moments are a treasure, a gift.

quote:

Originally posted by 4sisters:
I agree with Kat-- my Dad passed away in Oct. and my sisters and I were just saying how we wished we had Dads voice and some of his sayings towards the on tape. One time he was trying to pray and he said to Mom I belive what you believe and you belive what I believe and they believe what we believe and we believe what they believe and God believes what we believe. Another time Dad said I love you very much and then he wiggles his finger and says no-- I love you very very much. I wish I had that on tape.

Merry Christmas- Jim

Christy

christy: The day my dad died my mom stayed with my sister for about a week to help with getting thru the loss, all of my sibs tried contacted mom a bit--but what we really were expecting was to hear my dads message on the answering machine.....but to our great dispair somewhere along the line the power went out so none of us got the hear him once more....I think it is good when we can still have the actual, so to say, "live moments" somewhere on something to help with the loss. I think in that respect it can help us all just knowing they still can live on within our memories....if that makes some sort of sense.....

quote:

Originally posted by carewife:
Your Jeanne is a lovely person. I know how touched you were by her whispered "yes". You are to be commended for your devotion and excellent care you provide for her. But I also know you will simply say, "I do it out of love" and I understand because I love my man in the same way. .

By the way, Carewife, I've been heartened by the breakthroughs you've had with your dear husband. I have a feeling there's more to come. Keep stimulating his mind. It may do wonders. Just talk to him. Daily. Face to face. Lovingly. Soothingly. Jeanne has a tough time verbalizing. But, oh, she still understands the spoken word. I think your efforts are paying off. Bit by bit by bit. And you deserve these gifts. These blessings. Sometimes, little things are immense. It's all in the mind. And in the soul. In the heart. In the gut. In the blood. You are savoring precious moments. You see. You hear. You feel. I feel your joy. And it's wonderful to share your joy, isn't it? --Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Katerin:
That is lovely. Cherish it. Maybe start recording those moments Jim if you haven't already. I wish I had done that with my father. He said some of the most endearing things to me and I would give anything to hear his voice again.

Sounds to me, Katerin, like you are hearing his voice again. His spiritual voice. It'll always be inside you. --Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Broede:

quote:

Originally posted by Katerin:
That is lovely. Cherish it. Maybe start recording those moments Jim if you haven't already. I wish I had done that with my father. He said some of the most endearing things to me and I would give anything to hear his voice again.

Sounds to me, Katerin, like you are hearing his voice again. His spiritual voice. It'll always be inside you. --Jim

Always. Daddy's tender spirit is a constant reminder of how I want to be. Thanks K

Still another Christmas gift. Delivered to Birchwood. A potted plant. And a Christmas card attached. With a hand-written note:

“Jim—
“You may not remember me. I met you on the trail about a month ago while you were walking your wife. I cannot tell you how many times my husband and I have seen you walking and commented, ‘That is a lot of love.’ I was even more moved when speaking with you on the trail and I could see up-close how deeply you love her, and how undying your commitment, even in the midst of such an evil disease.
“Thank you, in an era of disposable love, for being a visible example of what real love is, and real love does! I would love an opportunity to hear more of your stories and life journeys, and how you met. I don’t know if you have family around, or if you just prefer to be alone with your wife, but if you would ever be willing to share, I’d love to listen.
“May you be blessed for the way you love…”

Yes, the Yule gifts continue to arrive. Priceless ones.

When I brought Jeanne in from an outdoor wheelchair romp last night, I unwrapped her cocoon. Zipped open the thermal sleeping bag. And removed two layers of soft blankets and a head band and a fluffy, loose-fitting knit cap. And I announced, “My gosh, Jeanne, you’ve become a butterfly.”
And Jeanne laughed. And gave me a lingering smile. Absorbed in the thought that maybe she really is a beautiful butterfly. --Jim

Still more blessings.

Jeanne now lives in a room next to the chapel. Which means the light and airy chapel has become our extended living room, our dining room, our lounge, our sanctuary.

And also, what a bonus. Jeanne’s new roommate is a very with it woman named Beryl. She’s 91. And still reads. Mysteries and westerns. And she’s delightful. And upbeat. And could pass for 71. --Jim

Jim--I don't have a green thumb...The potted green plant would quickly turn brown....but....The note would always be treasured.

Reading about your encounters during wheelchair jaunts with Jeanne helps me to retain my faith in the kindness of strangers. People have given you shoes, flowers, and plants. You and Jeanne have given them examples of love, commitment, and hope. Everyone comes out ahead and perhaps the world is a better place.

Thanks for sharing.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Broede:
S
“Thank you, in an era of disposable love, for being a visible example of what real love is, and real love does!

Yes you are. As are others here on this board. I think this every time I read your posts...

And I might add to all the wonderful spouses.. I know you don't need the kudos that your devotion is just part of love. But it is nice to see... A reminder of what is good in us and in the world. And hopefully more commonplace than we think...

Mother Nature, or maybe the weather gods, have delivered a Christmas-New Year’s gift, too. At least in this part of Minnesota. It rained yesterday. And it’s raining now, too. Remarkable. No snow in sight. Balmy weather. Relatively speaking. The temperature has been above freezing for more than 80 hours. In a time when we normally would have snow heaped high, and not only freezing temperatures, but below zero overnight. It’s almost as if winter hasn’t arrived. Maybe there’s something to this global warming stuff. Or Mother Nature is being kind. To folks in this part of Minnesota. Anyway, I’ll take it as a Christmas gift. From whomever. Mother Nature. Or the weather gods. But I have a hunch that we’ll get a full taste of winter. Sooner or later. And that’ll be nice, too. Really. Just being here to enjoy it. With my Jeanne. --Jim

gotta say that my daughter ex(?) boyfriend (we all know how fletting teenage love is---they were "together 4-5 months, might I add carefully supervised during that time as well........still not big on my kids "dating" yet becuase they are so very young..... but he kept telling her about "global warming" and then when we got that ugly little snow storm right after thanksgiving ---- all she kept saying was "I no longer believe in global warming.....look at this SNOW!!!!--you think school will be cancelled tomorrow??????" That little storm came down fast and quick---I know when I was shopping for mom it was rain then I no sooner got home and saw a few flakes and becuase it was so very wet thought noting of it; till it started the major pile up.......

always strange here when schools are canceled in the evening --- they generally wait until you are awake the next morning and set to go to school......

skericheri: I have problems with the plants inside...I have better luck outside. My favorite is sweetpeas.....another "easy" one is california poppies...all you do is sprinkle them on the ground...along with nastursiums--but I always have to watch out for the slugs and snails...they are so very creepy.
however, I still hate the weeding part....

karen

Ah, another Christmas present.

I was giving Jeanne her nightly shower, and I asked, "How does a shower make you feel?”

Jeanne replied, “Wonderful.” --Jim