My late husband, Marv Roelofs, showed up last week and sang to me. I was sitting at a church concert listening to a pianist play a medley of old hymns. When he fluidly moved into “In the Garden,” Marv’s favorite hymn, I suddenly heard Marv’s voice singing the melody his usual octave lower next to …
Category: Health
Growing Older: What road are you on today? And what lies ahead?
I am in AZ, far from the snowstorms in my home state. It's tranquil here and almost eerily quiet. I have time to simply stare at the sun-soaked landscape and dream. When I took this photo yesterday, I thought of Robert Frost's poem The Road Not Taken. Rather than look back at what roads I've …
Continue reading Growing Older: What road are you on today? And what lies ahead?
Growing Older : On Turning 81 or Birds in the Bathroom
I’m celebrating this birthday with a two-week Viking cruise in Central America. Apart from lots of history, this is what I have learned so far: 1. There are birds chirping and cawing in a public bathroom that I’ve used several times. I don’t know if they are in the ceiling or not. They may be …
Continue reading Growing Older : On Turning 81 or Birds in the Bathroom
Growing Older: Christmas Gifts from my Grand Dogs
First, you must meet them—my adorable grand dog puppies. Here I am sitting quietly at my daughter’s on Christmas Day with the puppies on my lap. But they are puppies, so they are usually frolicking or sleeping. And they don’t know me yet, so they greet me rambunctiously, and it feels like they’d rather explore …
Continue reading Growing Older: Christmas Gifts from my Grand Dogs
$$$ A Surprising Surgical Outcome $$$
Did you know that “the monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind”? Albert Einstein said that, and I can attest that it’s true. During the last three months after surgery, I spent a lot of time alone in my living room sitting on a new recliner. The longer I sat, the …
Grateful to be Screwless with a New Hip and Even-Steven Legs
I’m on my way. I’ve shagged my walker. I use a cane only when I’m outdoors and only to help me relearn a normal gait, while still dealing with some pain. I’ve loaned out my walker and raised toilet seat. waiting for borrower to pick up In my mind, I’ve missed August and September. Except …
Continue reading Grateful to be Screwless with a New Hip and Even-Steven Legs
Wearing Esther’s Shoes – White Skechers
“Sharp shoes,” my physical therapist said. “Would you like to hear the story behind them?” “Sure,” she said as she cradled and swung my lower leg in large circles, making my new hip happy. “I shopped my closet for the best shoes to wear for this session. The best ones for support and balance seemed …
Graduation from Patienthood — Pending!
Two weeks ago I asked you for help staying sane while I try to meet my goal of being cured in a few weeks. I have good news. I'm closer than ever before. I've almost got my pain managed, and I'm allowed to wean myself off the walker in the house. I'm on my way! …
Incoherent Ramblings After Having Surgery for a Hip Replacement and Removal of Hardware, Followed by a Hip Fracture
Your surgical experience will be unique. Therefore, sift through what others tell you about their experiences, salt those accounts away, and don’t take them out of your experience cupboard unless you find them useful to your situation. There is nothing to be gained by lamenting you are doing more poorly than the rest of the …
Grief at Four Years Means a Cookie Sheet in the Bed
my caregiver daughter and photographer Every year on the anniversary of my husband’s death, I have dedicated a blog post to that event. Marv passed away four years ago on July 25, and I’ve not had a minute to mindfully think about the impact of his loss in my life. On July 25, Monday, I …
Continue reading Grief at Four Years Means a Cookie Sheet in the Bed
Write Along with Me 