Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Third Time's The Charm

Most people don't have the opportunity to get close and comfy with their local emergency system, let alone get on a first name basis, but Jed and I are unique in that way.  Since we've been in Colorado we've had the EMTs called three times; once for altitude sickness, once for anxiety, and kicker, for getting run into (while in the wheel chair no less) by a little old lady in a 2001 Lincoln.  Enough is enough.  But the emergency system here is amazing!  One little phone call and here comes the fire truck followed by an ambulance and two or three police.

The first time was a little scary.  Jed was at therapy (the second day in Colorado) and he just started to pass out.  They immediately called in the big guns and there in the little therapy room were 6-8 very good looking young men in tight uniforms. (oops, I'm getting off track.)  The second time was here at home.  Jed started believing he couldn't breathe and the longer we worked on it the worse it got, so we called our emergency friends.  They all entered our bedroom and left 3 young grandsons with gaping mouths and wide eyes.  After some assurance that all  was well, the boys got a tour of the fire truck.

But the little old lady in the Red Lincoln was just over the top.  We'd just come from acupuncture and were waiting at the intersection by a popular Starbucks for the traffic to clear.  I was walking, Jed in his wheelchair.  When, like a flash of  dragon blood, BAM!!!!!  I screamed, the police on their break at Starbucks ran to the moment, Jed a bit dazed, me flaming fire.  As it would be our little old lady was watching the same traffic and waiting for it to clear.  When she saw an opening, she gunned it and whoa, oops, forgot about the wheelchair in front of her.  So, we got to hang out with our friendly paramedics once again.  By this time they were apologizing for meeting like this and I was telling them that we were looking for friends anyway, so not to worry.  After 45 minutes at 8 emergency people later we determined that Jed was okay. 

But the real topper came a few days later.  Kai, our third grader, was telling the family that he liked his old school better than his new one.  After some grandmotherly questioning the truth came out.  "This school has way too many old ladies."  Gavin, the 5 year old, looked at him sympathetically and  said, "It's okay, Kai, Old Ladies are just a part of our world."

Yes, indeed, old ladies are a part of our world.  But watch out for ones driving red Lincolns. 

Sunday, September 12, 2010

God Knows.

We went to church today.  It's basically in our back yard here in Colorado.  Jed drives his wheelchair there.  Today was tough.  First we get there late.  There's always something.  This time, in addition to our normal "almost late,"  we had to move a car out of the driveway as Jed got stuck in the rock landscaping attempting to circumvent the obstruction.  There we were, stuck, spinning wheels in the rocks.  So I go inside, get the keys, move the car, put him on manual, pull with all my strength, and we finally get rolling off to church. 

Knowing we were late, we sat in the back, and were just in time for the sermon, "God Knows."  On and on he talked about how hard life is, how sometimes the tough just happens....and "God Knows."   I was getting into it, tears almost in my eyes when Jed started to pass out.  We had to move fast, get out of the church, get him some water, get his legs raised...The whole time the pastor went on about how God Knows and He cares.

So, there we were, out in the church lobby, me holding his legs up in the air and about 8 men come out.  They look at us and say or do nothing.  They get in their little familiar circle, hold hands, say a prayer because they are about to administer communion and supposedly God doesn't want them to do that unless they go through their ritual.   Ha.  Good thing God knows and cares because those men certainly didn't seem to. 

I thought, "what would I do if I saw the situation Jed and I posed for them?"  And, I pray to the core of my bones that I wouldn't just go through my ritual and ignore people in my midst.   One man offered us communion and asked if he could help.  The others pretended we didn't exist.  It's easier that way with the handicapped.  Turn the other way and pretend you don't see.  I refuse to do that, as hard as it is sometimes.

Recently I was standing in the line at the grocery store and the woman in front of me was terribly deformed.  I started to pretend that she wasn't there and then forced myself to say, "were you in a fire?"  She almost hugged me.  She opened up, told me her whole story, I told her about Jed, she said she would pray for him every day and my heart was lifted.

Even though most of the men in church today didn't seem to "get it,"  the message today rang true. 
"God knows and He cares."  This brings me comfort and we will do yet another day with faith that even though there are those out there who pretend not to see because it is just easier, others see, they see with their hearst and perhaps, just for that moment, they are God. 

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Setting Goals

Jed's been sick today.  He caught a cold somewhere and hasn't gotten out of bed all day.  When He's like this the meds sort of take over his mind and who knows what will come out.  Sometimes it's a song, sometimes it's vulgarity, and sometimes it's plans.  Goals.  Today's rather irrational medically and fever induced goal was, "I'm gonna kick somebody's ass."

I told him that I looked forward to that and casually asked who's ass he might be planning to kick.  "I don't really know, but I'm going to kick it."  So everybody watch out.  Jed is planning to do some long awaited kicking.

I've been newly reminded of goal setting because I helped the kids set some for themselves, and we agreed on an award if they achieve their goal.  This was all done, of course, to mold and manipulate if you will , the negative behaviors that all children exhibit, and we teachers (once one always one) try to rid them of forever. 

So, the discussions, the agreements, the charts,  the stars, the anticipation, etc, etc, etc.  While trying to be so diplomatic, Ian said, "Grandma, if you make this too complicated, the award just might not be worth it."  Wow!  Brilliance!

So we made it simple.  Easy to understand and easy to accomplish.   Jed's goal is just that.  It's simple, it is getting closer to be accomplishable. and the reward will truly be worth it.  He can kick my ass if he wants.