Helping Connie put up the flowers - I love roses, and I was sad to not be able to smell them! #stuffedup #finallygettingbetter
Their entryway was really pretty!! (Also, Connie told Mom to keep the sports pictures up on the wall or we absolutely would have taken them down for the wedding.)
Jaceman trying to pull Kyndal's loose tooth for her in the front seat of my car. lol
J&K hanging out on the equipment the pool construction crew left behind... Jace has currently decided he wants to be a construction worker when he grows up, and he told Mom: "Then if your pool is still not finished, I can come get it done for you!" lolol Here's hoping they complete it sometime in the next decade (or two months)! ;-)
A Jace collage... J and his friend flashing the "I love you" sign, Jace with his spy goggles ready to do a science experiment with Mamaw, hugging Grandad at the hospital, and getting in the tiny little cabinet nook to read and play on his iPad (an introvert move, but I'm 99% sure he's an extrovert). lol
Dr. Kyndal ready to operate, Jace Michael at his CrossFit Kids class (and with the instructors at the bottom), Facetiming while they were in San Antonio - Kyndal wanted Rach to show me her all tucked in ❤, and David with the kids when he came to see Grandad a few weeks back.
One of the weirder gifs I've seen of Carter and his friends in their fun talent show skit! lol
* * * * * * *
And in less cutesy fun news, Grandad fell while trying to get to the bathroom by himself this morning, so he will be transferred back to OU for hip surgery. =( Babah is mad that he didn't wait for the nurses, (and I understand her frustration, having been there 90% of the time caring for him and trying to help him get better, and now this sets him back). But I know he wants to be self-sufficient and not burden or bother anyone, and I really feel for both of them. And my mom. It all sucks and makes me sad, but I don't feel distant from God, and I'm really thankful for that. Continued prayer is appreciated!
A Grandad collage of happier days!! ❤❤
Whatever happens going forward, I will say that I am very thankful that he had 89 good years before this awful stroke, that he and Babah were a huge part of my childhood and have been there throughout our lives, that he got to know his great-grandkids and we got to see his delight in them, that the DeBusk fam came to visit and tell him how much he meant to them this summer, and that we (Mom, Rach, and I) wrote heartfelt cards letting him know how important he was to us this past Father's Day! I didn't have a relationship with either of my grandparents on Dad's side (his mom died before I was born, and his dad was somewhat reclusive and distant until he died in 2008). Dad was reflecting on his mom's death recently, and hearing that conversation made me realize that Grandad has already lived 27 more years than she did. And it made me realize again that life is precious, and that I wouldn't trade the time we've had with him for anything.
Letting God be God by choosing life as long as it's in our power is vitally important... for our hearts and for what it speaks to the people around us. I love that Grandad has never given up or fallen into deep despair and negativity and complaining, even as he's been at the hospital for over a month now. It would be hard on anyone, and knowing that makes me admire him even more. His character is strong and admirable, and his commitment to living (not giving up or fading out of relationships) "till he dies" is still my very favorite thing about him and my favorite Grandad quote! ❤ He is legitimately tired and hurting right now, but when people come to see him at the hospital, he asks all about their lives and relationships, and he cares about the details. He asks me about my job and court cases, asks Jace about his school friends and stories, asks David about his brother, etc. I love that, and I'm thankful for that example!
One other thing I'm grateful for in the middle of this season is what I'm seeing in Jace. I think he has a natural God-given heart for connecting with older people, and it's been a gift to see that developing. He is completely himself, willing to speak up extra loud so they can hear, and happy to play dominoes or stack puzzles, checking in every once in a while to ask if Grandad is tired or wants to keep playing. He rubs his arm while he tells him about his day (the contact is good for stroke victims, and probably for everyone, really)... and he just takes care of him and adjusts his feet in the wheelchair in a really natural, unbothered, unburdened way that makes Grandad happy and makes me really happy too! He's gotten to know a couple other older people at the hospital, and he chats with them and answers their questions and is polite and kind and good with them. He came into Grandad's room after their San Antonio trip saying, "Did you miss me while I was gone? 'Cause I sure missed you!" Anyway, I love seeing that, and I think it's a good quality that God will use in his life! .....I feel better having written this stuff out. It's a hard season for everyone, but the peace that comes from Christ is here, and it is abundantly helpful! ❤
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