Donovan's Blessing

One Week ago Jan and I journeyed to Arizona to take part in Donovan's blessing. I was privileged to stand in the circle with Marty Morris (Kiana's father) and various other relatives and Priesthood leaders. Scott pronounced a wonderful blessing of physical and mental health upon this new little infant come from above. Certainly, the 'hands' of the Lord were evident this day.

We enjoyed our weekend with Scott and Kiana although it was cut short by news from the home front. Uncle Bob had agreed to come that day and stay with Nana at the house. Oh yes, I haven't brought everything up to date. Papa is recuperating from a broken hip suffered April 25th while we were in Tennessee babysitting our four wonderful grandchildren there. Bob was babysitting them at that time also. WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN!!! Just kidding Bob. Back to Nana. Bob had to take her to the emergency room on Saturday due to chronic stomach pain. She was literally doubled over and not dong well. Bob faithfully visited both parents until we could return on Sunday night. He warned us of some very strange 'Nana' behavior, which we did not understand until Jan visited her the next day. In a nutshell, she had become a paranoid, schizoid, walking time bomb!!!! It was if she was on 'speed'. My Mom had similar symptoms (severe agitation etc). Nana was convinced that people were out to get her. She kept tearing the IV and heart monitor cables away from her and wound up 'biting' two night shift Nurses which required tetanus shots for both. All from a 4' 6" 185 pound 85 year old Lady!!!!. It was not pretty for several nights and days. Finally, things got better on Thursday. She had suffered a chemical imbalance brought on by dehydration combined with the medication she was and is taking. Toxins were being poured into her brain which just made her loopy. She came home to us on Friday about 80% whole. She is weak and unable to support herself while walking. Thank heavens we had already purchased a walker for her. (Actually there were three walkers in the house, but how they got there and how they were purchased is another story. Maybe Jan and I will need them at a future date!!!!) Nana is sleeping in Robin's room and Jan is sleeping in Jamie and Scott and Craig's old room on edge waiting to hear Nana try to get up to go to the bathroom. Jan must help her do these things! It appears that this is the way it is going to be for sometime in the future, because it simply would be awful to have her break her hip from a fall as Papa has done. All in all, we are grateful to have Nana back in the house. She is eating better as I am feeding her again as I have done with Papa and Nana for the last year-Breakfast anyway!. Papa is slowly recuping from his fall and has been at the Pacific Coast Rehab Center on Romie Lane Street since May 1st. He has gone through some intense pain but is actually rehabbing well. The caregivers and specialists at the facility are wonderful. Again, Neece was there 10 years ago, but I remember the service not being as efficient and caring as this group is . So, we are visiting him daily and trying to keep the home front going also. Certainly things have taken a turn, but the Lord's hand has been visible, especially through the actions and concerns of my sweets. She is a tower of strength through all of this. What patience and infinite compassion she displays on a constant basis. I want to say that it can seem that Jan and I would appear to be passing through the fire of adversity, but that is a rather selfish outlook. Papa and Nana are suffering the adversity, not us. Papa just broke down and cried the other day and said "This is not how we planned it to be". A true statement never was spoken. No one would wish ill health on anyone else, but it is through this final phase of life that the 'the bitter sting' is taken away. I see that now very clearly. 'Old age' is not what we would like or plan for, but it is necessary in order to 'taste the sweet'. I see it as a further opportunity to serve. So many of our Ward friends have stepped up and offered wonderful service and words of comfort. Steve Simkins, and Brother Harold Arbon who will soon be 90 himself, have been exceptional home teachers to Mom and Dad. They gave Nana a blessing Thursday night in the hospital and then came to visit Papa. Steve has visited Papa countless times as has Bishop Varney and others who have the spirit of compassion. One does not have to look very far to see the nearness of the Hand of the Lord through so many 'ministering Angels'.

Well, back to Donovan, or Donoman or Donny as he is now so nicknamed. He is a sweet even tempered little one that is full of joy and wonderment. Here are some pictures from our trip.