Saturday woes
Greetings Vickie and OFF,
Vickie, I'm so sorry that Butch isn't feeling well today, and you have a headache. Can the doctor give him Zofran? When I had the horrible nausea and vomiting before my gall bladder surgery, it helped me. It's worth asking. I know how hard it is to feel helpless when someone we love is hurting so badly. Please, try some relaxation exercises to help you cope. If nothing else, read, and re-read that passage from Philippians 4. It talks about what to think about to find peace. It's a perfect description of Jesus. He's the Great Physician, and He loves Butch, and you, so much more than anyone can imagine. Hold onto the Lord as much as you can. As for you worrying about coming here while having a rough day, please, please, please feel free to come here, and bare you soul if you are having a bad day. We know the happy Vickie. Also, every single one of us has been through the wringer in one way or the other. That's the beauty of having loving sisters in your life. While you are going through this trial, many of us are at a good place, and can lift you up, first in prayer, then to encourage you. Hang in there.
Well, today was pretty crazy, but fun. First, I slept late, and woke up in a fog. Then, I forgot that Colleen had given me money to pick up Lincoln's Star Wars birthday cake, and she called me while I was on my way to his party. I was already halfway to the party, so I ran to Sam's to pick it up. Well, the girl who took her order on Thursday wrote down tomorrow's date, so it wasn't done. I begged them to make it, coz All Lincoln wanted for his party was a Star Wars cake. The woman grabbed a cake out of the case where the prepared cakes you can buy were. Put dark blue frosting on it, decorated it with white frosting, put the Star Wars decoration with Darth Vader on it, and wrote Lincoln's name. Instead of being ten minutes late, I was 30 minutes late. The party was at a swimming school. It was a private party with 22 kids, two life guards, and tons of the coolest pool toys I've ever seen. The neat thing is, the parents could go in with the kids, and there was a ledge the kids could sit on in the water. Plus, on one side of a clear wall was a wall of showers with soap for the kids and parents to rinse off. It was all open, so everyone kept their suits on. Outside the pool were changing rooms, a long table all decorated with blue paper, palm tree placemats, and cans with balloons on sticks for every child. The facility included all that, plus cupcakes for the kids, frosted with blue frosting of course. Colleen only does the big parties for their first birthday, and all the multiples of five. Izzy's fifth birthday party was at a bounce house. I went there once with her, and that was really cool.
I had hoped to help out at another fund raising concert for the park here, but was absolutely beat when I got home. I'd been so stressed about getting the cake late, it wore me out.
I'd really, really appreciate prayer for Colleen. I've known for a long time that she is high strung. She's been that way since high school. Unfortunately, when she is under stress, like getting ready for this party, or like when Jessie died, it effects the kids in a way that adds to her stress level. It becomes a vicious cycle then, coz at first she snaps at the child, because she loses her patience. Then, she calms down just enough to be able to handle the child more gently. I get concerned, because her father, brother and I have had health issues that are cause, or exasperated by stress. For me, it's been diarhea, ulcers and high blood pressure. Her Dad and brother developed IBS. I'm not sure if they still have the symptoms, but her Dad once had so much pain, he was hospitalized because the docs in the ER thought it might have been his gall bladder. Knowing what I know about children of alcoholics, as well as first born children, I see all the patterns in her. My older brother, Jack, had them too. I can't talk to her about it, coz when I tried after Jessie died, she was in total denial that she was exhibiting the signs of stress. I won't even suggest she see a therapist, because her husband is one of those clueless people about mental health issues, and she leans in that direction too, for the most part. The only time she was ever interested in seeing a therapist was the year after her best friend in college was killed by a drunk driver. Somehow, I was able to find an entire agency, totally with licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers who also happened to be Christians, AND were in my insurance network. Even now, that's extremely rare. I have been seeing a psychologist and psychiatrist who are only covered by my insurance since day one, because I am well aware that the educational requirements for licensed psychologists and social workers is much more exhaustive than for Christian counselors. Plus, Christian counselors are not covered by medical insurance, unless their licensed psychologists or social workers to begin with. But, she asked me to try to find one that was back then.
Sorry to be so talkative. I guess I have a lot on my mind tonight.
Hugs and prayers,
Trish
Albert Schweitzer
Hi Trish....the birthday party sounds wonderful....I am sure everyone had a fabulous time!!! So sorry the cake episode caused you so much stress. I am glad you were persistent about the cake being decorated right!!
Of course I will be praying for Colleen. She really needs to be aware and cautious about her health and what stress can do to the body. She sounds like a prime candidate for your family illnesses. I hope one day she will agree to see a therapist. I don't know where I would be without mine!!
Love ya....HUGS.....connie d
