Sunday, May 16, 2010

Pity Party, Anyone?

Hey, Y'all,
Did you ever give a party and have nobody come? Well, I have been close to having a pity party today several times. You may think I am very strong, but that may be a big mistake on your part. Ha. Sometimes the weight seems almost too heavy to bear, but that is when I think of all the good things in my life, and all the people who are holding me up in prayer. Although I am quite close to tears many times, I remember how much God loves me, and how He is always right there for me, and although I do cry, I am comforted.

I was up this morning early and decided to treat myself to breakfast out, so I went to a local fast food place for gravy and biscuits. I went in and the first thing I noticed was a note on the counter that said, "Sorry for the inconvenience, but our coffee machine is out of order." I laid my head face down on the counter in dismay and then stood up. The girl said, "Sorry, but I can make you a cup of coffee, but it will be really, very strong." I replied, "No, that's okay, I'll just have water."

She asked, "Is that all?" I said, "No, I'll have a biscuit and gravy"
She asked, "One biscuit or two?" I said, "One biscuit and gravy with an extra biscuit to sop up the extra gravy".
So she said, "Would you like some extra gravy, then?" I replied, "sure".
Expecting to get an oblong platter with the split biscuit and gravy, I was handed a round bowl with the unsplit biscuit covered with gravy, and an extra biscuit.

Now, you may see nothing wrong with this, but I was disappointed and just felt like crying. This was my birthday after all, and I couldn't even get the breakfast like I wanted it. After all, their motto is "Have it your way." I couldn't get coffee or anything else my way. Go figure. So I sat at the table with my water and the gravy/biscuit not the way I wanted it, feeling sorry for myself, but I ate it and enjoyed the taste anyway. Then I thought about Gramps and what a rough time he is having of it, and thought, "Ruby, you idiot, what do you have to cry about, anyway?"

I left there and went on out to the nursing home and saw Gramps sitting up and looking like he had had a good breakfast. He told me he had a good one of cheerios and scrambled eggs and bacon, with coffee. Of course a little later, Rick, his CNA told me that Gramps had eaten his cheerios, very few bites of egg, and had also eaten his bacon, so that was better than the day before. About 10:00 a.m. Rick and I struggled to get Gramps up and walking to the wheelchair. It was a real struggle. I had to tell Gramps which foot to move, and he just wasn't receiving what I was trying to send to his brain. When we finally got him into the chair, I took him out front to enjoy the air and sunshine.

They have been giving him a Loritab every 6 hours and I think that is dulling his senses and responsiveness. I asked them today to take him off of them except one in the evening. I think that will help him lose some of the fog in his brain. I am hoping so anyway. Rick told me that he is glad I am taking an active part in Gramps' recuperation. He said he is always glad to see family members be involved in a patient's care.

After we went back indoors, his tray was ready for him to eat. He did not eat a lot of it, but he did eat some of it and also drank the Glucerna I asked them to put on his tray. I know the nutrients in that will help him to keep his energy at a better level. After lunch was over, they put him back to bed, because he was tired, and I went out to sit on the front and wait for Mark and Allie. They had said they would be over to visit and to take me out to eat lunch. While I was waiting for them to come, I called Teresa and talked with her for awhile. I missed talking to her online, so I enjoyed our chat today. Also, a good friend came by earlier while Gramps and I were outside and visited with us. It was really good to see Glen M.

Mark, Allie and I went to Perkins and had a birthday lunch, and they gave me a beautiful lapel pin (a lovely lavender color) and I immediately put it on. They had the waitresses to come and sing happy birthday to me. Of course, I sang along with them. It was great fun!

They brought me back to the nursing home and visited awhile with Gramps and me, and then they left to do something else for us. They got a frame and some dirt so that we can have a garden out back. It is the kind of frame that you put down on the ground to plant vegetables or flowers in, and don't have to dig up the ground. Really neat, too!

I came home about an hour ago, and saw it is out there just where I wanted it. I will have to get some help putting the dirt in it, but I know who will be glad to help me. It is going to rain some more this evening, I am sure, and I am more than ready to rest some. It has been a lovely day, but a kind of different birthday than I have had before. I won't complain, however, because (1) it does no good to complain, and (2) God is good all the time. I have had lots of really wonderful calls today from family members. I have talked to Carol, Teresa, Daniel, Mark, Allie, Darlene, Mae, and it has been just great! Thank you all!

Thank all of you for your kind wishes and all your prayers on our behalf. This is Blabbin' Grammy signing off for today. Much love to each of you, my good buddies!
Bye for now. More later.


16 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Ruby, it will be okay! Get your birthday breakfast tomorrow or the next day... but don't let it get you down. You are indeed strong enough!

Lisa said...

Happy Birthday Grammy! Here's a big 'ole birthday ((((((((hug))))))))) for ya! :O)

Jan said...

Happy Birthday...Big hugs to you!

Ey Wade said...

Happy Birthday, Grammy. Today would have been my dad's 77th birthday. I'm so glad you were able to get something (the planter) that will help you remember the surprises in life. I never tired of working or looking at plants. Especially when I feel like having a pity party. Gets me right out of the mood.
Thanks for sharing your day.

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday, Grammy!

Lisa said...

I was with you when I read how frustrated you felt when you could not get your coffee the way you wanted. There are moments in life when little things can be huge.

Happy birthday Grammy.

Wanda said...

Happy Birthday Grammy! We all have those party for one days at times :0)

Ella said...

Happy Birthday Grammy! We all have
days and birthday like those! I am happy your had a birthday lunch and was sang to! (((Hugs)))

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Happy Birthday Ruby, I sometimes feel like having a pity party,
I too am not quite the strong person that appear on Blogland,
But I put it all behind me and think of the good times of which I've had a few.

Have a wonderful Day.
Yvonne.

Anonymous said...

Sorry your breakfast was such a mess on your birthday but sounds like it was a pretty good day after all. I would love one of those garden boxes in my yard. My son came yesterday and put out some tomato plants for me next to the fence and we actually talked about a box for next year. You need to go out one morning this week and really pig out for breakfast! Hope Gramps does well this week and things look up for you real soon. Praying for you both. Love, Judy

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Blessings to you Grammy. May God grant you LOTS of good biscuits, gravy and coffee this year!
Hugs,
Deb

Amber at The Musings of ALMYBNENR said...

I have an award for you! Hope all is better today!

http://almybnenr.tumblr.com/#606857616

Margie's Musings said...

Hi Grammy! I am Margie of Margie's Musings and I certainly know what you're going through. My husband is in the process of dying of cancer and I will put you on my prayer list.

Margaret Cloud said...

Hi Grammy, wishing you belated Birthday wishes. That is the way those fast food places is sometimes, they don' get your order correct. I am praying for you and grandpa, the Lord will see you through. It is nice to see you have great faith. I enjoyed reading your birthday adventures. I had my husband in a nursing home once and it is no fun. May God bless and keep you.

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

I’m so glad your birthday turned out better than it started. I think we all throw an occasional pity party for ourselves – it’s human nature when so many things pile up on us at once. Happy Belated Birthday! I hope next year, Gramps is able to participate in the festivities, too.

Unknown said...

Sorry I missed your birthday here Ruby...my new little guy sure is demanding a lot of my time and attention! I am sorry your birthday did not get off to the best start but was glad to read that it ended well and you had a good day with family!

Bless you dear!