Dear friends at SI,
I would appreciate your prayers for my family.
*Today I spent the day at the hospital and other places, procuring the legal authority to force my dad into a nursing home. He is refusing to go, but must while my mom (his primary care-giver) recuperates.
*Tomorrow, my mother will have open-heart surgery for valve replacement and double bypass. She is 75 years old. Your prayers for her rapid recovery will be appreciated, but we know her recovery time will be weeks, not days, in speaking of the ability to care for my dad.
*Tonight, ill timed though it was, I was also forced to have a confrontation with my young adult son about some changes he needs to make in order to continue living in our household while attending college. He was verbally compliant, but time will tell.
So, in short, many heavy burdens. Your prayers are appreciated.
Mike
Thanks to all who prayed, and to our gracious Lord for His aid.
It was a marathon of a day, but the following has been accomplished:
1). My mom's surgery went very well (though it was quite lengthy and involved), and she is in ICU (standard procedure after such surgeries) beginning her recuperation.
2). My dad has gone to the rehabilitation/nursing home willingly, and seems cheery enough. The paperwork/insurance/legwork was immense, nestled in between the mom thing.
3). My son has begun to implement the changes, as requested, and with a good attitude. We are prayerful this will be a turning point and not a temporary adjustment under pressure.
Now, tomorrow, more paperwork at the nursing home, visiting mom, and collecting my parents dog to stay with us*. Then it's back to real life as a pastor and catching up on my other obligations.
Thanks again for praying.
*For your amusement, contemplate the oddity of caring for a my dad's dog. My dad has been "disturbed" mentally for decades. He was at one time a masterful dog trainer. The result: the dog is terrified of tile, and must stay only on carpeted surfaces in the house. The dog only drinks water from a drinking glass being held by a human. The dog only eats food poured from her dish onto the floor (carpeted, of course). Some re-training over the next few weeks may be required. Sigh.