My Family

Ever since my father moved in with us, I have been marveling at the many kindnesses shown to me through my family and my church.  Today, I wanted to take some time to thank God for one of the greatest gifts He gave me...eight brothers and sisters.

Let me introduce you:

(Back L to R): My beloved Mother, Dad, Kath, Pat, Mike, Ellen, and Lori. 

(Front L to R): Chris, Rich, Gail, and Me.

Since my Father's fall, my family has rallied together to support and care for him in many ways: visits, meals, cleaning, phone calls, taking care of his bills, overseeing his medical care, managing his house and car, packing, organizing, encouraging and praying... just to name a few. John and I have benefitted from their care as well. 

When John and I made the decision to have Dad live with us, all more-than-one of my siblings expressed concern about strain it would put on our already-extraordinarily-busy-household. However, knowing the alternative was much less desirable (nursing home), they have been supportive and looked for ways to care for us in the process. 

For example, Dad's freezer is full of approximately 40 home-cooked meals provided by my sisters. Dad chooses one almost every day for lunch. (Just heat and serve!) Better yet, on occasion, they provide a meal large enough to feed all of us!

Here is the "Menu" I printed for him today:

15 Bean Soup

BBQ

Beef Broccoli

Beef Stew

Beef Stir Fry

Beef Tips

Black-eyed Pea Soup

Chicken Cacciatori

(3) Chicken and Rice Soup

Chili

Coq Au Vin

(2) Company Beef Stew

(2) Cranberry Chicken

Manhattan Clam Chowder

Honey Mustard Chicken 

(3) Italian Beef Soup

(3) Meat Loaf

Pepper Steak

(2) Pot roast

Roast Beef

Roast Pork

Red Beans

(2) Sloppy Joes

Stan's Ribs

Steak and Potato Soup

(2) Stuffed Shells

(3) Sweet and Sour Pork

Veal Marsala

Several family members have gone above and beyond what we could have imagined by creatively thinking of ways to bless us while we care for Dad.  Providing respite, whether by spending an afternoon or evening out with Dad has been an enormous means of grace to us all. My brother, Chris, even surprised me by organizing a family calendar arranging weekly respite for us, and time for each of them to spend with Dad. My dear sister-in-law, Lisa, is regularly planning events with the children, including taking them to the zoo, out for a movie and dinner, Carowinds or overnights in the mountains.  Another sister, recently asked to bring Alyssa with her to Disney!  (Shhh...Alyssa doesn't know about this yet.) Pat has helped tremendously with Dad's medical needs, researching and ordering equipment, talking with doctors...and reassuring me! EVERYONE has called or sent notes encouraging me and John in our efforts to care for my Dad. 

I simply do not know what I would do without my family. Each of my siblings are uniquely wonderful and so dear to me. I'm so thankful to call them "mine". 

Thank you, Kathleen, Pat, Mike, Ellen, Lori, Chris, Rich and Gail for the many ways you each have cared for me and my family over the last two months. Mom would be so proud. I'm so thankful the Lord has entwined our lives together.