The Comfort of the Couch

                “Where are you sleeping tonight?”  Maverick asked several times last week.   Due to a head cold, that turned into a chest cold, I found breathing difficult while lying down.  The pre-existing prop of the couch arm, with a couple of extra pillows, provides the forty-to forty-five degree angle needed to keep sinus passages open.  I was pretty much parked on the couch from Friday, (23^rd February) to Sunday, (31^st January.).  

                Not only did the elevated sleeping arrangement help me breath, it was also warmer than the bed.  The back of the couch adds more support, while also retaining the heat from blankets or a duvet and pillows.  Snuggling up into the corner, with Maisy stretching out on my lap, I would doze off, letting my body heal.  Leaning into the back of the couch, warm in flannel pyjamas, I couldn’t help but be thankful for all my blessings.  I know I am really tired or ill when the television is on and I still fall asleep.

 

                Nestled in my comfy corner, my mind drifted to the many refugees in camps, suffering in the winter cold and prayed for them.  I thought about the homeless, with no access to warm shelter, wondering about how many of them were ill, and prayed the love of God would be made manifest to them through the work of charities, food kitchens and volunteers who made an effort to connect with them on the streets.  I even thought about the many employed people, who would lose pay if they didn’t go to work, so they struggled into their jobs, enduring the day.  I marvelled at parents, though being physically and mentally drained by aches, pain, fevers, coughs, or other frailties still crawled out of bed to care for small children and families.  It made me realise how very spoiled and blessed I am.  

                “Maverick” cooked, loaded the dishwasher, ran errands and even did laundry while I ate, slept watched television and read.  Daytime television can be tedious, so many repeats.  There are lots of re-runs of American shows from the 1970’s and 1980’s for viewing.  However there were a few good films on.

                One film I watched was entitled “Red Dog”, an Australian film.  Based on actual events and people, the film is both funny and sad.  “Red Dog” is “nobody and everybody’s” dog, until he meets John Grant, an American living a nomadic life.  John rarely stays in any place longer than two years.  But “Red Dog” and a young woman, Nancy Grey, change that.  The story isn’t just about a dog and his owner; it is about community, friendship and how animals often play an integral role in creating the bonds that bless our lives.

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Dog_%28film%29

                As part of my Christmas Present, “Maverick” bought us a Blue-Ray, DVD player with Wi-Fi internet availability.  Some of the options include BBC I Player and YouTube.  Yippee!  Watching catch-up television without buffering, audio-visual distortion, etc.  So, I caught up on series four of “Father Brown”— a BBC production.  

                “Father Brown,” the creation of G. K. Chesterton, is a Roman Catholic Priest with an propensity to solving murders.  The stories are set in 1950’s, in the fictional English village of Kemberly.  Having enjoyed watching the 45 minutes programmes, I aspire to read the books.  

               Now that I’m “up-and-dressed”, I’m glad I had such a comfortable and comforting place to recover.  

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith,

“Lady Helene”

               

Too many antibiotics I think...

        Four days into the month of June and I’ve only just turned the calendar page today.  Soon it will be the 21^st, which is the longest day in the northern hemisphere and the shortest day in the southern hemisphere.  The only thing shorter than a day in December (NH), is my list of accomplishments.  I wish I could find the key to energizing myself, have lots of disciple and focus. 

        Since starting my job as the Parish Administrator, I have been walking more.  And one usually finds this beneficial, gaining muscle tone, strength and stamina.  However, it doesn’t seem to have affected me in this way.  The 15 minute walk is still a struggle, and I have to push myself along, plodding each step of the way.  I was beginning to think this tiredness is because I’ve become so overweight. 

        In previous years when I’ve been overweight, I would get to the point that I just couldn’t stand it and would find ways to increase my fitness levels.  Now, it seems no matter how hard I try, there is no progress.  Yet, the doctors don’t seem to know why I’m fatigued.

        Last month I had to go onto antibiotics because of a kidney infection—the second one in two-and-a-half months.  I hadn’t even finished that prescription when I started a different antibiotic for an inner-ear infection. 

        I love merry-go-round rides; but not when it’s happening inside my head.  So I went to the doctor telling him of my dizziness and balance problems.  A little exam, and hello—inner ear infection!  Suddenly the head-aches, ringing in my ears, and light-headedness all made sense. 

        So, maybe it’s the prolonged use of different antibiotics creating this energy deficient which is impeding my progress. 

        In the midst of the frustration, there are many blessings.  I am truly enjoying my job as the parish administrator.  It’s a pleasure and joy to serve the clergy, the public and the church.  I’m slowly learning the details of the job and how to approach them. 

        I recently was asked to re-format the weekly news sheet.  I wasn’t sure how much changing was needed at first.  But as I prayed about it and studied it, I realized that the information for the service was in three different places.  So it made sense to move it all onto the back page.  The weekly diary went inside, as well as posting of upcoming events, informational boxes and contact information.  The contact information went from the back page to the front page.  The first edition of the changed format was about 75% better.  The feed back from several people let me know what changes were liked and what changes needed tweaking.  Hence, the contacts went onto the front page, and a couple of other minor shifts and there you have it! http://langleymarish.com/parish_files/news%20current.pdf

Chest Protector/Dickey

        The week of 23^rd May, My Midnight Man and I spent four hours a day sitting with a friend’s 90-year-old mother.  This was a pleasant task—primarily keeping Mrs. P. Company, making tea and assisting her in other little ways.  What made this task difficult was that it was a 20 minute walk one way.  I didn’t realize until Thursday evening that I was fighting an inner-ear infection.  However, God was really good to me.  On Thursday afternoon my Son-in-law showed up just as I was about to leave.  He gave me a lift.  And he also provided a lift on Friday.  I was also able to get quite a bit of knitting done, which pleased me a great deal; another Christmas gift half-way done. www.cs.oswego.edu/~ebozak/knit/troop-knitting/bernat/dickey.html

At certain moments I did feel as though I’d taken on too much—between my job and being a companion.  But my motives were based on love.  First, I thought of my Mom—and since I couldn’t help my Mom it was a pleasure to look after someone else’s Mum.  Secondly, I know that if you plant a seed, you will reap a harvest.  I was planting a seed by helping Mrs. P, believing that God would see my heart and actions and send help to my Mom and Sister.  Thirdly, having helped provide respite breaks for my sister, I know the true value a break can mean to care-givers.  We knew how much our friend needed a break, so it was satisfying to my soul to know that being part of the team to look after Mrs. P was a true help.  My Midnight Man and I know that our help was appreciated, and we were delighted we could be of service. 

I suppose, all things considered, perhaps I’m being a bit unnecessarily critical of myself.  I haven’t accepted that right now I am hampered by life’s many complications.  After all, 1Thessalonians 5:17 says: “In everything give thanks for this is the will of Christ Jesus concerning you.”  I suppose it’s time I went and “preached myself happy.”

Thanks for reading...Lady Helene