My new BFF is titanium!

My surgery is over and I have a new titanium knee! The prayer and support from family and friends, along with God's healing hand have made it a great experience. I will go home from the hospital this evening to my temporary new furniture. A walker, commode seat with arms and a shower seat. My very own set of geriatric equipment. This is going to be fun!

I have had bad knees for more years than I can remember. I have not let painful knees hold me back, in fact I ran and walked for exercise for years. But the past six months became unbearable. Having knees replaced is a result of arthritis which is very hereditary. My mother and daddy each had both knees replaced and one of my brothers and my sister have both had both knees replaced. 

During surgery on Monday, Dr.Atwell found and removed many bone spurs (some the size of popped kernels of corn) on my knee. These obviously added to the pain I had been having. What I think is so funny......the circular saw they use to cut the bone broke during surgery and they had to locate another saw, sterilize it and re-saw! I guess our Grady joints are the pits, but at least the bones themselves are good. When we were kids and when our kids were growing up no one ever had a broken bone.

Kyle spent the first two days with me along with Katie and Elizabeth. The girls have taken good care of me and my out-of town kids have been checking on me too. My sister-in-law, Jane spent time with me yesterday. She brought me a loaf of whole wheat homemade bread. By the way, what a great get well-gift. I didn't feel like eating the hospital food and a nice slice of that soft bread with butter was a wonderful addition to each meal. Note that idea if you are a good bread baker. Jane certainly is! Next week my sister is coming to spend a week with me. Okay, so she's coming for my recuperation, but honestly, she's coming because she can! Donnie retired this year from teaching, and we are so excited that now we can spend this time together. I have a feeling the best medicine when she comes will be laughter!


Now that the surgery is over, I have enjoyed getting up, walking and stretching as my physical therapist has coached. I begin five days of home therapy Friday - Tuesday, then go to PT at a clinic three days a week for six weeks. They will work me hard, I'm sure.

It really has been a good week. I look forward to healing and walking tall without what my sweet little Doster describes as "Grandma's waddle'!

April Showers.....bring precious little legs.

A fun little shopping spree found Grandma buying rain boots for the three little girls.

The be-ribboned little boots were presented to Rosemary and Mary Anna, and mailed to Ella.

I love their precious little leggs and knees complete with boo-boos.

P.r.e.s.e.n.t.i.n.g.............Ella, Mary Anna and Rosmary in their horsey rain boots!

Mary Anna and Grandma play together.

Since I was not going to work today, I called Elizabeth and asked her to bring Mary Anna to my house to spend the morning with me. We had a sweet morning. Mary Anna is 25 months old and just as precious as they come!

We ate outside and wrote on the old chalk board that our kids played school on. This chalk board used to be in Great Grandma Anna Mae's classroom when she was a school girl.

We watched the cows through the fence, picked up rocks and when Doster came, they picked flowers (weeds) together.

I don't get Mary Anna alone very often, if ever. I use to enjoy Caroline alone at this age, but when the family grows, it's not too often we get to be alone with the littlest one.

I had such a fun time with my little buddy this morning.

More.

I want More. Better. Different. Larger. Prettier. Newer. Fresher. Shinier. Easier. Sweeter.

Where there are people there is a m.o.r.e. mindset in our society. And I don't think it is anything new. People have always wanted more. Sometimes I am one of those people. I have been less than satisfied. I have thought it would be nice to have it different.

Recently, two Holsteins came to live on our back acre. We have been removing trees, planting grass, liming and re-liming, fertilizing and re-fertilizing for a year. Kyle spent a few months putting up fence, one or two sections at a time until the job was done. (good topic for another post.)

Finally the cows joined us last month. A brown Holstein and a black Holstein. Stew and Chuck, respectively. Not named for where they have been, but for where......well you get it.

Stew and Chuck came from a dirt patch where all their food came from a trough or a bale. Now they are in the most glorious place. Perfect lush moist grass that reaches past their bellies. Each day they also get grain and have access to abundant water.

But when feeding time comes, Stew is never content with his own bucket. He starts his, then gradually pushes Chuck out of the way and is eating Chuck's food. Chuck then walks around the back of Stew, resigned to eat Stew's food. Until Stew realizes it. Of course Stew pushes Chuck away again. And on they cycle goes.

Seriously? Stew, come on, you have lush grass and water, you have abundant space, you are surrounded by new fences and you live on a mountain with a glorious view.

Step back. Take it all in. You have all you need. And more.

As Stew continues to have issues with not being satisfied, I hope I can see some of my 'wants' as unnecessary when compared with all that God has planned for and has consistently provided for me. Oh my, He gives me such lush grass and in abundance. I want to be content in what He gives me. In Him.

"Contentment is possible only as we cultivate and maintain that attitude of accepting everything that enters our lives as coming from the Hand of Him that is too wise to err and too loving to cause one of his children a needless tear." -A.W. Pink

Waking up the cub

I hope that in waking this cub from it's long winter nap, I will experience some good self care by expressing my thoughts through Candles On My Table. I love to write, but need the time to think creatively and put it into words. Usually I don't take the time. I should. I enjoy it. I enjoy reading other blogs. I love communication. Period. I love communication.

Since I am embracing 6-8 weeks of time at home I hope to have time to write. I don't know if I will keep it up after my recovery is over, but for now I will enjoy the medicine it provides. Since August of 2009 when I last blogged, a few beautiful candles have been added to our table. I am pretty certain I will be introducing each of them and their beautiful and unique light in our family.

As I sit on the couch in my pajamas this morning, wrapped in a blanket and watching the day unfold, I am excited to see what God puts on my heart to share. For me, the healing is beginning even before the surgery.

Heart check:

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The routine flight instructions that I have heard time after time:

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"Put the air mask on yourself before you help someone else."

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"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?........Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had." Philippians 2: 1, 3-5 (NLT)

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I am reminded of the importance to keep check on my own heart

before I 'try to help (fix)" those around me.

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Cutest 6th grade boy!

School started this week in many parts of Georgia. Among the thousands of Dixie-land students who have or will be squeezing through metal door frames, over thresholds and onto shiny waxed floors, I know of 140 sixth grade students in particular, who have an amazing year ahead of them. Many of these 140 are from broken homes, don't know who their daddy is, let alone who their grandpas are.

There is one amazing, balding white-haired man who made a decision nine years ago to begin the journey of becoming a role model for these 140. After 30 years of working in the field of production and production management, the desire to teach children caused this man to engage in a new chapter of life. Beginning college in 2000 and continuing through his master's degree, my "Mr. Bergen" now begins his sixth year of teaching. He is modeling to these children that learning is a privilege, offering them the satisfaction of accomplishment. I am so proud of this man; my husband!

Kyle's commitment to these kids is making an impact on generations to come, one child at a time. This year's Social Studies students will not all grasp what is offered them about our world and about life. For those who wrap their minds and hearts around what is opened up to them, I am excited. I cheer them on to a brighter tomorrow.

In 1963, this young 6th grader, fishing along the banks of the Black Hawk Creek, was asked to pose for the Waterloo Daily Courier front page. Pretty cute, huh?!

I love you, Kyle - you are my hero!
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