Templin Reunion '06

I noticed at the Templin Reunion we didn't have very many meaningful conversations because we were all so busy trying to keep an eye on the kids in the pool and make the rounds to say "Hidy Do" to everyone there. Now I need to really visit with them. I reflect on what I learned about each individual when I returned home and the most remarkable thing I remember is Chick's brother-in-law who is nearing 90 telling me "Hidy Do" and then I asked how he was and he said, "Pretty good". The most recent doctor's visit he was told to bring all his medications and when he presented his medication to the nurse, she looked at him as though he were a feeble old codger and said, "Mr. Jenkins, you were supposed to bring all of your medications with you". "I did", he said. He had one bottle of baby aspirin with him because he takes a baby aspirin once a day. Wouldn't that be great! And... here's the real interesting fact - - he smokes like a chimney and has for years. I think the cigarettes will get him and he won't live to be an old man - - what do you think?

Be Careful What You Pray for!

The second week of retirement my dad got really sick and nearly died. My sister, nephew and myself got him to the hospital just in time. We were told a few more hours and he would have been gone - -respiratory failure. Thus began a 2 week hospitalization. I was home now so I went to the hospital daily and to mom’s to check on her. I wanted to handle as much as I could and lift their burden a tiny bit. I realized how much I was needed and how my retirement came at the right time even though I second and third guessed my decision after the fact.

The 3rd week of my retirement our clothes dryer quit as I mentioned in my previous blog. If that wasn’t enough, the riding lawn mower sputtered and just stopped. A few days later we replaced the lawn mower. I said, “Lord how much more can I stand?” The day we replaced the lawn mower - - the air conditioner quit working. It wasthe hottest day of the year thus far. Summer and retirement were in full throttle. The fan motor had gone out on the heat pump and both heat pumps needed Freon. Oh boy, are they going to need Freon? I just heard the weather and it’s shooting up in the 100’s and we haven’t even gotten a good start on summer yet. The same day I opened the door to the laundry room and the bi-folding door started leaning over and then falling. I caught it and took it to the garage where it still is. I’m afraid to put it back up, it might fall on one of us and kill us.

Monday morning, week 5 of retirement, I opened the back door and the door knob came off in my hand - - broken! We replaced the door knob yesterday. But, why? Today, the boys came running out the back door to play outside and give more chiggers a ride and a permanent home on their skin. I noticed the back door didn’t close and the red wasps who have now made nests in my white car door, garage, the fort, and sand box, were trying to make their way inside the house. I ran to shut the door. Wham! Wouldn’t shut! Wham again! Still wouldn’t shut. Looked the situation over and noticed the screws had wallowed out of the holes and the door was ready to come down. I got the screwdriver (didn’t have the heart to tell Chick) and engineered it the best I can. Hopefully tomorrow it won’t fall off and hurt someone. Then we got a call, Chick has to be at the hospital on Monday for a kidney sonogram. The tests showed something. Lord, I think I’m through now. You said you wouldn’t give me more than I can handle. I don’t think I can handle anymore. Please send your loving angels to surround us.