tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post4139829007379212149..comments2023-10-24T07:03:42.942-05:00Comments on vtmbottomline: CARING FOR THE AGINGPaul Burlesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-37340256129578075712012-08-02T03:22:13.036-05:002012-08-02T03:22:13.036-05:00Paul,
Hez got shingles in the hospital from his ey...Paul,<br />Hez got shingles in the hospital from his eye to his throat...no fun.<br /><br />Many years ago this story took place.<br /><br />Denton, Texas is the home of North Texas State University where my twin brother, Hez Ray was in the business of buying and remodeling houses for sale. A young black man asked to rent the house.<br /><br />“No, the house is just for sale; where you from?”<br /><br />“Oh, no one knows where I live in Yellow Knife, Canada.”<br /><br />“I’ve spent a couple of weeks there. What are you doing so far from home?”<br /><br />“I got a four year scholarship for winning in hockey at the first Canada’s Olympic Winter Games and now I’m working on a PHD. I almost didn’t get to play as there was a big fuss if I was eligible or not. They left the decision up to the Fairbanks Athletic Director who organized the games. If he hadn’t let me play I’d probably be working in the cold mines.”<br /><br />“Yeah, they didn’t want you to play because the school picked you up from an Indian village.”<br /><br />“HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT?”<br /><br />“Because I’m the man that let you play.”Rex Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06976501582240117188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-52358266549458836922012-07-29T05:03:46.044-05:002012-07-29T05:03:46.044-05:00Rex,
Good to hear from you and I hope both you an...Rex,<br /><br />Good to hear from you and I hope both you and Hez have a speedy recovery. GREAT poem Hez wrote. Thanks for sharing.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-5397345865404010842012-07-28T21:22:36.331-05:002012-07-28T21:22:36.331-05:00Paul,
Late on this blog, but I’m experiencing that...Paul,<br />Late on this blog, but I’m experiencing that old saying that getting old is not made for sissies. I had both knees replaced and one was so bad it’s in a brace and can’t start therapy for another week.<br /><br />I believe that visits that count are from people that are not asked to come or someone’s job, but are like the friends of Job.<br /><br />My twin brother had a heart attack and a triple by past the last part of May.<br /><br />His daughter wrote this email:<br /><br />Wanted to share an encouraging story...My dad has always had this incredibly unique gift of making friends almost anywhere he frequents. My mom and I went to lunch at a place called Paradise Bakery and she noticed a Mexican man bussing tables....she told me "That's one of your dad's friends." My dad loves to sit in restaurants and write and somehow he has gotten to know this man. The amazing thing is that he speaks barely a word of English. Somehow we communicated to him that my dad was in the hospital...His eyes perked up and he kept saying "Hospital??" so we wrote down the hospital and room number and he said...."I come." Sure enough he came that afternoon, holding tightly to his Bible and prayer beads and he cried out to God for my dad...at times even touching his face to the floor as he prayed. He came the next day and did the same. Such a kind & humble man who fully believes in God's power to heal. My dad wrote this poem and read it to me with tears in his eyes. I thought it might be an encouragement to you as well. Love, Melody<br /><br /> (Note: my dad doesn't know his name so he made one up...something he even does when he knows someone's name! I hope to find out his name, but in the mean-time...it's Charlie.)<br /><br />My Friend, Charlie Rose<br />He came by today just to say, "God is on His way"<br />A kinder face, you could never find<br />Carved from desert rock by the blowing sand<br />Bent now by sun and his labor of love<br /><br />He speaks no English; his T-shirt flies with bakery flour <br />Courteous, polite, contrite he stands, without a seat of honor<br />His dark Spanish eyes sparkle with tears, of the good thing that he shares<br />We wait in the hospital room with a respectful air<br /><br />He lifts up his prayer beads to God and sinks to his knees.<br />Tears flow and fall on his brown hands; then puddle on the floor.<br />And he pleads for God's mercy in a language so strange<br />Yet known by every man on the open range<br /><br />He remains prone on the floor; his tears continue to stream.<br />Yet with deep contrition he lifts our souls to heaven's gate<br />And although he washes dishes; it is his prayers that to heaven will fly.<br />This is my friend, Charlie Rose; I think he lives closer to Jesus than I<br /><br />Hez Ray, May 25, Friday 2012Rex Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06976501582240117188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-28915344611984956302012-07-20T12:21:29.425-05:002012-07-20T12:21:29.425-05:00Wanda,
Thanks. I've really enjoyed your blog....Wanda,<br /><br />Thanks. I've really enjoyed your blog. It was kind of fun seeing the difference of opinion among some readers on the latest topic. The unity of the Spirit was evident even there. Amazing and refreshing.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-29288097424792476572012-07-19T16:01:36.793-05:002012-07-19T16:01:36.793-05:00Paul,
I remembered your birthday BEFORE reading y...Paul,<br /><br />I remembered your birthday BEFORE reading your current post. <br /><br />Happy Birthday, and may you have many more!<br /><br />Blessings!Wanda (Deb) Martinhttp://www.thewartburgwatch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-33948613533393280322012-07-18T14:15:46.595-05:002012-07-18T14:15:46.595-05:00Rodney,
In the great comment for which I'm ap...Rodney,<br /><br />In the great comment for which I'm appreciative, you said this..".Call it a connection or mutual respect, etc etc but I do not see him as a child or a project or a case or someone I am trying to help."<br /><br />I wasn't sure but what you might have thought I meant we were to see them as children. Obviously you didn't think that at all and I'm glad. Your ability to communicate is not in question any more than my understanding abilities. But I'm a WHOLE lot older than you so it is more my problem of understanding than yours of commenting. LOLPaul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-14657285657522151032012-07-18T14:12:17.642-05:002012-07-18T14:12:17.642-05:00That last phrase l"like at the sunset of this...That last phrase l"like at the sunset of this life" is misplaced.....chalk it up to age or typing on an I phone !!!!Rodney Sprayberryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00354264158831825334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-19916327579573335212012-07-18T14:05:12.650-05:002012-07-18T14:05:12.650-05:00Dear Paul,
In no way did I think any such thing....Dear Paul, <br /><br />In no way did I think any such thing. I guess what I was trying to communicate ( apparently not well :) is that you are correct. Regardless of age, mental status, physical ability, and even consciousness my friends and aging family members are image bearers and whatever that means in life, including the sunset of that life is preserved through the night time of disease, aging, and death ght into the sunrise of the next. Our calling as those who love them is to honor that as best we can in our (and thier) lfallen condition <br />like at sunset of lthis lifeRodney Sprayberryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00354264158831825334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-86412307134628638132012-07-18T13:46:45.191-05:002012-07-18T13:46:45.191-05:00Rodney,
Thanks for your comment. What you're ...Rodney,<br /><br />Thanks for your comment. What you're doing is commendable and I applaud you for it. There is no telling the comfort a man in his condition gains from your being there for him.<br /><br />I do hope you see, and I'm sure you do, that in no way was I saying the aged are to be seen as a child or be treated as one. <br /><br />Quite to the contrary, while "child-likeness" is used to describe emotions, memory, and even attitudes because of physical and mental deterioration for those who are aging, I specifically stated that "they are not children, adults they remain."<br /><br />It would seem to me that fact must never be forgotten.Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-9178323464845139732012-07-18T11:30:45.289-05:002012-07-18T11:30:45.289-05:00I think the topic of your post important for those...I think the topic of your post important for those of us who are dealing with aging parents, friends, clients, and pts. Many of the hospice pts I deal with are very much aware of their limitations (even when they are not aware of much else...there is frustration /fear that is very real) the key is to offer help when it is needed and necessary but to affirm their personhood, choices, and abilities as much as possible. <br />Even now I am sitting with a pt who has just drifted off to sleep. He is my friend and I love him. He cannot talk clearly ( except when he curses) but we manage to communicate. We share something that cannot completely be explained. Call it a connection or mutual respect, etc etc but I do not see him as a child or a project or a case or someone I am trying to help. I care about and desire for him to have the best in this life (and the next) that he is able. However, I will not force what I think is best (unless he is in harms way) on him. That emotional, spiritual, an relational space is usually the last remaining volitional opportunity I can honor with him in these last daysRodney Sprayberryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00354264158831825334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-80708527816915657442012-07-17T17:51:47.377-05:002012-07-17T17:51:47.377-05:00Aussie J,
I'm still laughing.
Even your comm...Aussie J,<br /><br />I'm still laughing.<br /><br />Even your comment mistakes are right on target. LOL<br /><br />That, my friend, was classic and vintage Aussie J!!Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-13960967411564005962012-07-17T16:31:04.200-05:002012-07-17T16:31:04.200-05:00Paul,
Old age you know! I meant to say,"I ce...Paul,<br /><br />Old age you know! I meant to say,"I certainly would NOT change...."Aussie Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16199918171163666399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-66343821753184940632012-07-17T16:29:20.948-05:002012-07-17T16:29:20.948-05:00Paul,
You're so right! Your subject does need...Paul,<br /><br />You're so right! Your subject does need talking about.<br /><br />How could I possibly do otherwise than agree with your thoughts expressed in,"It's tough getting older and,..... honesty demands that I admit the fact that it is a little tough getting older.<br /><br />I certainly would change where I'm at now. Getting here was tough, but where I'm heading...Wow!<br /><br />We were particularly blessed as both Val's and my parents were active and functioning well at home until their deaths at our age (my 73rd close).<br /><br />To end on a bright note! You share your birthday with our second son, Andrew.No wonder he is so wise :)<br /><br />We wish you a blessed and happy birthday for Thursday.Aussie Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16199918171163666399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-65520423057999292942012-07-17T15:36:52.849-05:002012-07-17T15:36:52.849-05:00Wade,
How well you know your Dad and Mom. Sorry, ...Wade,<br /><br />How well you know your Dad and Mom. Sorry, it WILL be all gone but, having had fun doing it, we will think of all you kids with appreciation for what might have been yours were we not having so much fun. LOLPaul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-56821091391847960212012-07-17T15:15:41.850-05:002012-07-17T15:15:41.850-05:00Dad,
Children have no concept of money. They spen...Dad,<br /><br />Children have no concept of money. They spend whatever they get on things they wish to enjoy. <br /><br />With your excellent thoughts today about senior adults becoming like children (again), I am assuming you and mom are preparing us that you both intend to spend our inheritance! <br /><br />Laughing!<br /><br />P.S. Have fun doing it! :)Wade Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01968442835088008681noreply@blogger.com