“Still Laughing ???”

You may remember a recent BLOG where the focus was on “if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans”. (it was in reference to a surprise hospital visit that had disrupted my plans)  I thought I had learned my lesson. I was out of the hospital settling down and getting ready for Christmas. 

I had quietly made new plans and was ready to move forward with “God as my co-pilot”.  We had a nice Christmas and was preparing for our family celebration on Dec. 27^th … some 65 kids, spouses, grandchildren, and 2 GGC. It was quite an extravaganza; a  great time was had by all…. delicious food, presents, prayer, fun and fellowship. Things were beginning to happen according to plan… we were getting back to normal…..  or so I thought.

The next morning I woke up with a high fever and the beginnings of a nice flu; later in the day Judy began to show symptoms of the flu. Fast forward 16 days and we are still trying to fight our way back to normal. My flu has gotten to a normal feeling exhausted and fighting a lingering cough. Judy’s flu became a much more severe lingering cough and pneumonia. She has been in bed for the last 16 days and is still feeling pretty lousy. The Christmas season and our many celebrations just didn’t happen. Even today, we are still in survival mode. While we’ve experienced a lot of help from family and friends, it’s been necessary for me to become “Chuck the Caregiver” and I have realized it’s a fulltime job. (I’m on a first name basis with the Shoprite Pharmacist.)

So, what is the point of this BLOG? Well, one point is that we just can’t seem to get back on track. This flu/pneumonia/weariness seems to be a weight that keeps dragging  us back to square one. We are constantly cancelling/postponing plans, appointments, celebrations because we a not up to getting out. This is a new phenomena for us; we’re usually able to “do our time” and get back to normal life. Does this mean we are “getting older”? Yikes!!! 

Another question is “Are we “still laughing”. Do we only laugh when things are going according to our plans? Hmmmmmm. I have to say this has not been easy. At the same time, we are experiencing God’s presence. Judy keeps saying she hopes this sickness is reducing her time in purgatory. I told her she didn’t have any time in purgatory living with her husband Igor. I have to say it’s a privilege helping to care for her…bringing her the Eucharist, making the food (actually heating up the food we’ve been given), doing the dishes, keeping track of her meds, trips to Shoprite, etc. 

So, keep praying. As SpongeBob & Patrick once said, If you can’t pay the time, don’t  do the crime”. Mom and I are “paying the time”.