Half a century

So what does it feel like to turn the big 5-0??? Dunno if it feels any different than 49 did. It is strange to be in Berlin this long, I was down in the Manchester area to bring Rachel down, stayed overnight with our dear friends the Dukelows. Really we are blessed with friends and family.

Mom is holding on. We celebrated her's and Dad's 60th anniversary yesterday May 27th, just shy of 3 days of the actual anniversary. The hospital was fantastic, they provided decorations, a room to gather in, even audio-visual equipment to show the video I posted earlier. We laughed, we cried, we toasted to the 60 year accomplishment.

It exhausted Mom, with all the commotion, but I checked in last night around 8:30 PM, and she was sleeping soundly. Looks like I'll be heading home on Sunday, tired but fullfilled. Knowing that she is comfortable, or as comfortable as she can be. I appreciate all the prayers, we can feel them. Dad is tired too, he he's 81, and doesn't have much stamina, but has been a trooper to be with Mom.

No IV in her now, she gets whatever sustenance she can get through purees and drinks like milk and water. Before I saw Mom, before she came north to AVH in Berlin, I had asked if she had bought a new bikini to come swimming in when she came down to North Carolina. So I just had to stop and pick out a little red number and we presented that to her for her 60th anniversary.

Liz flies up tomorrow, I'll pick her up in Manchester and she'll come north to see her mémère. Pray for wisdom for the docs, as we have one final test from an ear nose and throat specialist to rule out any growth that could be exacerbating her difficulty swallowing. Wouldn't it be awesome if Mom could get some relief and actually take in foods and liquids more easily? I know as unlikely as it is, that we serve a living breathing God, and that Mom could still recover. I'm not grasping at straws I just acknowledge that as highly improbable as that sounds, that it is still possible. Our goal is NOT to do heroics, but just keep Mom as comfortable as she can be.