1.Pop is doing great! He is feeling sore, but not really in pain. Doctors are very pleased!
2. Mom got sick during the night, and Joy brought her home early this morning. She insisted on spending the night with Pop. She must have picked up some sort of bug…throwing up, severe headache, etc. She’s not been able to get off the couch today. Not sure what tonight holds. We may be headed back to the ER with her.
3. Lori, Joy’s daughter, is at home trying to rid herself of 6 kidney stones! 6!!! She is in much pain, as you can well imagine!
4. Alex had a rough night, so I am running on little sleep.
5. Don and I had to go to the architect’s office this afternoon, because the builder is waiting for the lights. We had to OK some selections.
6. I have missed my first 2 days of school and the 3rd is looking ‘iffy’, too.
7. I missed my first weigh-in on the way to a new and fabulous me.
Life is like a blackberry cobbler…..I don’t like it when it has seeds in it!
I have just returned from the hospital where I have spent the day with my family. This morning, my Pop had surgery for 4 large hernias in his abdomen. (He will be so thrilled that I just announced that to the world). We all went into this operation with an amount of fear. You may remember that 2 years ago, he had emergency surgery for a ruptured intestine. The situation was very tenuous on its own…but, we found out afterwards that his heart did not cooperate while he was in surgery. This surgery resulted in him having a colostomy for 8 months. Surgery was necessary to repair the colostomy and put everything back into place. Again, his heart did not work as it should during this surgery and they had to watch him very closely and monitor him for a few months after. Now, we have these hernias which are not life threatening, but ‘quality of life’ threatening. They were so large and so uncomfortable, he really could not participate in the active life he has enjoyed for the last 82 years. After a visit to his surgeon, who left the decision up to him…and his GP…who said “go for it”…and his heart specialist who gave his blessing…the family as a whole decided that quality of life was much more important to Pop than quantity of life. We believed in our heart and were prepared for the fact that the surgery could go either way. But, which ever way it went…he would be OK! He would be a winner, either way.* This is because he believes, as we all do, that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”. As sad as we would have been…he would not have been a happy camper if the remainder of his years had to be spent in a rocking chair or a recliner. He has motorcycles waiting to be ridden, and trips ready to be taken. He has fish waiting to be caught, and stories to be told.
Our pastor came this morning and led us all in prayer as we stood around his bed. Mom, Joy, Don and Myself, Pop’s buddy Bill, and Brother David held hands and put Pop into God’s healing hands. The hospital chaplain and a personal friend came by and led us again to pray for Pop. When they finally came to take him to surgery, we were ready . There was peace in my heart as he left, and as he was in surgery. And when we talked to the doctor and then saw him coming down the hallway…we were able to praise the Lord for answering our prayers. God is so good…and He has heard and answered our prayers. He chose to touch Pop during surgery and keep his heart functioning well and with no problems.
Another praise, I was hesitant to leave Alex at home, because he has not been doing very well. But, I had to decide what was the most pressing at that time. Alex assured me that he would be fine, and so off I went. In about an hour, the lady who cleans for me and a dear friend as well, called to tell me she was at my house today. Thanks, God, for helping ease this Mom’s mind! Isn’t He the greatest?
Pop is doing well, but is in much pain. Much more than he thought. So, we will all be sticking close for a few days, we’ll pamper and wait on him, and bring him home to finish recovering. Then he’ll head out to take on the world once again! ******************************************************************************** *FYI: We have the assurance of heaven and life everlasting because we trust and have faith in God.. We believe the Bible is true. We believe God will do everything He says He will do. We have asked Him to forgive our sins and to live in our hearts. He is our personal Savior and our future is settled.
If you do not understand this process or would like some additional information, please feel free to contact me via my e-mail. I would consider it a privilege to introduce you to my dearest friend.
I am writing to let you know that one of your photos has been short-listed for inclusion in the fifth edition of our Schmap Maui and Molokai Guide, to be published mid-August 2008.
What photo were they talking about? I love to take pictures and I would love to have the time to devote to learning more about photography. But, I certainly did not think any of my photos were worthy of publication. I was proud of how they turned out, but certainly no one else but my friends would. I mean, my son, Adam, is a professional photographer. And while I am positive he got his artistic talent from me…I have never thought of myself as a photographer of note. Anyway, I gave my permission for the photo to be considered. And… on August 13, this appeared in my e-mail…
Schmap Maui and Molokai Fifth Edition: Photo Inclusion
Hi Tonja,
I am delighted to let you know that your submitted photo has been selected for inclusion in the newly released fifth edition of our Schmap Maui and Molokai Guide.
Well, isn’t that a hoot? I’m a published photographer! Ha! Now before you get any grand ideas that they chose this great photo evoking a Hawaiian beach and swaying palm trees or a beautiful, balmy sunset… Let me explain…
My 2 BFF and I took a trip to Hawaii…Maui in particular…last June. I knew it was going to be a trip of a lifetime and I planned to document everything so I could scrapbook it later. Then on the cold, winter days, I could pull out the scrapbook and relive that warm Hawaiian sunshine and the great time I had with Tina and Shirl. One of the places we planned to visit…and eat at…was Mama’s Fish House. It is a legend on Maui, and rightfully so. We got there early, and spent time walking around the lovely gardens, watched a wedding in progress, and soaked up the ambiance. As we were going in to wait for our reservation, I snapped a quick picture of the sign. And that is the photo they published! Photo: Tonja Owens Mama’s Fish House 799 Poho Place Maui and Molokai, HI 96779
Oh, well, so my claim to fame and my taste of the big time is kind of a let down….but, hey, I’ll take it….at least I can say, “I’ve been published!” And, this is the biggest chuckle…it didn’t even make the cut for my scrapbook! 🙂
This is the link to see it actually in the book! _______________________________________________________________________________ Here are those swaying palm trees (actually in front of Mama’s Fish House) and the balmy sunsets.
I am a Christian woman who has survived many years on the planet. God has blessed me with a wonderful family: husband, 3 sons, a dear DIL, and a precious grandson. I also have dear friends to keep me inspired. I am an artist of sorts and am finding my way through the great blessing of retirement. I recently retired after 20 years as a music teacher. Life is good!
My Boys
"All your sons will be taught by the Lord; and great will be their peace." Isaiah 54:13
Read their stories... Adam Alex Ian
Hello, my name is Everly. I am a blogger living in New York. This is my blog, where I post about interior design and decoration. Never miss out on new stuff.
Hello, my name is Everly. I am a blogger living in New York. This is my blog, where I post about interior design and decoration. Never miss out on new stuff.