anesthesia+love+coffee

Mom will kill me when she sees this post...but this little nugget too sweet not to share. Mom has a cold, so yesterday I was on my own with Dad. He had cataract surgery on his left eye. He had just gotten back to the room and been given a fresh cup of joe when I snapped this pic.

Two weeks ago, he had the right eye done and felt some pain and came back pretty stressed...not the case this time 'round. We informed the Anethesiologist and, let's just say, he was feelin' no pain! He sat on the side of the bed, swinging his feet and talking non-stop about how wonderful life is. The nurses came in and out and were rewarded with hugs and kisses. Dad was the last of the day to have the procedure, so we had same day surgery to ourselves. Dad talked about "his bride" and being married for 59 years and how fortunate he has been to have shared his life with Mama. The nurses said it was a great way to end a crazy day! He was an absolute joy! Compliments flowed like honey and anyone in his path was showered with praise. As we left the hospital, he exclaimed over every wonder of God's creation and he walked into his home and was greeted by "his bride" and Gail (she brought homemade chicken pot pie and spiced apples!) Dad ate two plates! and continued to glow! It was a long, but good day...'cept Mama having a cold :(

-Holly

sunday at aunt nellie's.

Dad, Mom, Troy and I had the honor of slipping our feet under Aunt Nellie's table for lunch today after church and, as always, ate too much but enjoyed every delicious bite! The cherry trees are in full bloom and beautiful, but the neatest thing is...

standing under and listening to the bees singing as they work...and climbing.

the girls.

There's a lunch around Christmas every year and these beautiful ladies morph into young girls...this year, it happened a little late but, most importantly, it did happen. There's one empty chair...remembering Betty June. and from Mama around the table are; Mary Alice, Corrinne, Grace and Frances. The gathering was held Monday at the Corner House in Cowan for the "Cowan Girls" and I trusted Mama to have someone take a picture but, I admit, I was upset at not having the opportunity to sneak in and do that myself...there's no sweeter sound than the chorus of THESE voices and watching them savor the memories of yesteryear and support each other in the happenings of now.

Tomorrow morning (Wednesday), Mary Alice will go into surgery for Breast Cancer, please send up a prayer for her...she is such a treasure and we KNOW God will see her through.

-Holly for Mama

enjoying the view.

Walked with Dad this beautiful "almost spring" day. This is the garden being created on the way to town right up from Mom & Dad's. Robin walked with us. Dad so enjoyed the view and I especially enjoyed seeing him as a part of mine.

continued blessing.

Dad did great! Dr. Drummond said..."It went great, best it could have gone. His tissues and veins were like that of an 18 year old. I feel encouraged. It has been a long time since I have gotten to give this good a report to a family." Troy and I delivered them home and aside from Dad looking a little "green armed", all is well. He's a little tender but needs no pain meds for now. Keep praying. According to the bloodwork he had on monday his BUN has dropped 20 points, how cool is that! Anything headed in the "down" direction is a good thing! Thanks for all the responses to the text reports, I read them to Mom as they came in and to Dad when he was awake and able to hear...you are all loved so much.

--Holly...for Dad and Mom

surgery in the morning.

Dad's procedure is in the morning...scheduled for 7:30. I'll post as soon as we get him home. Keep the prayers coming, thanks so much.
-Holly

celebrating aunt lemoyne. 96!

A dose of family does a heart good. Mom, Gail and I accompanied Daddy to Harmony CP for Aunt Lemoyne's 96th birthday celebration yesterday. She is the widow of Frank Tipps. Gail and I talked with Aunt Lemoyne about coming to visit with her to learn more about our grandfather, Roland Tipps, and our grandmother, Annie. She was pleased and we're planning a visit later this month. The church was packed and she was glowing. Sparkly eyes and big smile, 96...wow! From this "great" to another...Happy Birthday Aunt Lemoyne. Dad was in rare form...well, actually...his usual form...

spring is in the air.

Troy, Maggie and I spent Friday night in cowan, put together a couple of rockers and got started on a little spring cleaning. Maggie spent her time enjoying the open windows. Mom & Dad showed up saturday to do a little "test sitting".

walkin' does a body good.

Dad usually walks with R.L. early every morning but on wed. he meets Gail in Estill for breakfast at 6 am. So...mom and I met up with him at church for a little exercise at 9:30. We walked a mile+. Dad headed home and Mom & I went shopping for a couple more rockers for the cowan house. Uncle Wilbur & Aunt Marjorie's children left money when they stayed there last summer, so because of them, we have new chairs to enjoy! Thanks, ya'll!

lifting Dad up.

Received this in e-mail from Jerry and i wasn't going to post it here...but i felt a push to do it...so, i'm sharing...
My Holly,
Take heart!!! - - - - This is wonderful news...

The Lord is hearing our prayers!
It may be that He desires to see our hearts for a time longer in this...GREAT!
A WHOLE WEEK to pray!!!!! - - to draw even closer to Him!!

And... since God is gracious to do this, it may be that, as a result, He chooses to heal dad during this time and, by next Tuesday, he won't need the "ports" since his kidneys will be functioning as new!

Our God Is an AWESOME God!! - let's pray EXPECTING to see His STRONG ARM in this - for ALL of us!!!

Love, Jerry

PS: The situation is only urgent to the doctors and us - not God!! - I AM PRAISING HIM --- for putting this off!

SURGERY POSTPONED.

Drs. keep saying this is an "urgent situation". Dr. Drummond had his own "urgent situation" and has postponed the surgery until Tues., next week. Does that seem "URGENT" to you? It completely stinks to have to have confidence in Drs. when it seems we just keep falling through the cracks and have no choice but to trust THEM. God, please help with this one...we COMPLETELY TRUST YOU but the guys we're dealing with down here, my goodness! Keep checking here and i'll post updates. Keep praying...having faith that God is gonna have good kidney function kicked back up by then! MUCH LOVE TO ALL.

the first step...

So, today we start the journey...Dad has surgery to place dialysis access. We are entering unchartered territory and pray for God's guidance for everyone who will touch Dad today...the nurses, anesthesists, and Dr. Drummond...may God guide all their hands.

I can't help but think about family this morning and how blessed we truly are, as a family entire. Because of Mom and Dad there are five of us and, through us, they gained more sons and daughters, nine grandchildren and seven marriages adding two more grandsons and five granddaughters...and it continues with nine+3/4 greatgrandchildren...each of us healthy and loved beyond measure!

By name, you are: Gail & Alf, Joshua, Jennifer, Ashlyn & Jax, Jarrod, Blair, Noah & Grey; Steven & Vicki, Sunni, Ed, Sloan & Kate, Jacki, James & Stetson, Chase, Rosie & Liam; Jerry & Gail, Adam, Haley, Barrett & (coming soon) Jace, Heath & Andrea; Robin & Amy; Holly, Troy & Brandon...and these names, every one of these names, are placed before God by Mom and Dad every single day.

So...especially today, WE pray for the head of our family, and know that God has great plans for his life and has made it possible for him to have treatment so he can live and continue to serve Him and to love Mama and his family well.

You are loved...Daddy, Paw, Granddad, GiDa, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.
You are loved...Mama, Maw, Grandma, GiGi, sister, aunt, cousin and friend.
-holly