Pain

This was an unusual weekend for my wife and I.Saturday while doing Yoga she hurt her back and on Sunday while unloading the dishwasher I hurt mine.I truly believe that every chiropractor should experience this from time to time.Helps us relate to those that pass our way and see if we practice what we preach.There were some funny moments as we watched each other hobble to the bathroom or try and perform even the simplest of tasks.It even hurts to laugh sometimes.While physical pain is easy to see it is the mental and or emotional pain that is so much harder to deal with.We both have been blessed with great health as have most people in our family.
There is definitely either a shortage of psychiatrists or too many people needing one.Either way one way or another we will have to figure out our mental health crisis.
Let 's start with some simple things.Walking.Praying.Giving thanks.Eating better.Writing that  note.Making that call.Telling someone you love them.Appreciation.
What was that Mary Poppins use to say,"A spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down".Lord,ain't that the truth

59

I first saw her in September of 1969.Who would have thought back then that almost 45 years later we would be celebrating her 59 th birthday together. I wanted to take her out to eat and shop but she decided we should stay home and watch a movie and eat leftovers.She gets up everyday and makes the 45 minute drive to Chattanooga everyday to keep us afloat these days.Neither of us would have thought she would have to do this.
For her birthday she did want to do one thing-go hiking at Piney River. Damien took us to this beautiful site with Jessica and all her children and Brenda.God gave us the perfect day and off we went.
There are days that are so perfect that it seems God gave us a gift and set aside this day of 55 degree weather when the next day would be 22.We started off hiking and it was amazing roaring springs with frozen water falls.Blue skies and gentle breezes.The grand kids rotated to each of us.Oh to have their energy again! Julian started out with me.We talked about different things and then those magic words came forth,"Papa, I love you and I just want you to know that we pray for you and your job everyday". Honestly ,I was walking on air the rest of the way. It was Jolene's day but I received one of my most prized gifts that day. One of the many things I love about the Grandkids is their sweetness    One of the best things we could do for each other is to send up prayers each day.Thank you Julian for reminding me of that.Thank you Jessica and Damien for your overwhelming generosity.Thank You Lord for Jolene and how we all see You when we look at her.

Going Home

The first day of 2014.Jolene and I ate supper with Mom.Meatloaf,home made mashed potatoes,English peas ,corn bread ,and peach pie-the best meat loaf I 've ever had.She went to spend the night at 406 Robinhood rd and I stayed with Mom in Grandmother's house. I don't go home enough.Mom usually talks and I listen.I got up early and got the paper and looked at the six houses we own and gave thanks to my Dad who built them.What I would give to have a cup of coffee with him today. We read the paper and talked about her blood pressure.I bought her a new bp cuff at Cosco and brought her manual one home with me.I said goodbye and went to Joe and Loraine's .I put a handle on the back door for Joe and nailed down a step.We stopped by to see Karen and Peter before going to the nursing home to see Jimmy.We walked through the halls and saw a lady bent over in her wheel chair ,vacant stares,a lady smiling and waving,and then Jimmy-his room dark and silent.His brain seems sharp his body just doesn't work so well.The result of a lifetime of bad hands-crazy mother,never knew his fatherland guess what when he had kids he was a lousy father as well.He smoked like a smoke stack,drank like a fish,cussed like a sailor,and always was so negative.Any wonder he had a stroke at 51?Visit a nursing home and if you aren't asking God some questions well your a better person than me.Honestly after 5 minutes I'm ready to run out the door.Fortunately Jolene carries the conversation and we stay 15 or 20 minutes. Jolene's Dad has dementia.We both decided after that visit we would do whatever we could to keep Joe out of a nursing home!Loraine fixed some collards,pinto beans and Mexican cornbread,and a sweet potato pie.I had a gutter to replace so I went to my old office in Calhoun.After finishing that I went inside and thought about how it would be to be there again.It needs painting and some flooring but that would be fun.So this year started well.Shared some time with family whose time is drawing near.Worked  at my office again, and we were reminded about how important family is -especially in the hard places of life.It still sounds strange to me to say the year 2000 and now 2014.Each day is a gift .Let's enjoy the ride