“There is nothing permanent except change.” -Heraclitus

Had someone told me that six months after my father-in-law went into a nursing home on hospice that he would be leaving and coming back here, I probably would have wondered if such an individual was paying attention.

At the time, he’d been in the hospital three times in two weeks and the last time, all our children came and we met with the staff, doctors, hospice team nurses and social workers to discuss our options.

He moved into Walnut Springs Nursing home on April 12th and, at the time, it was the best thing for him.  Well, it sure was.  It was such a great place that on September 27th, he will be off hospice and have to leave the facility.

When we left him that night, I cried.  I was happy he was finally getting the care he needed.  There was no way I was able to give him what he needed.  But I never dreamed he’d be back here again.

Well, I really can’t say that.  What I can say is that over that weekend, I was eager to get my ‘sh0p’ back so we began to move his things to the ‘hot tub’ room outside.  The boxes of videos, books, clothes, all his belongings went into that storage area until it was time to part with them for good.  As I was vacuuming his bedroom, I heard the voice of the Spirit ask me a question:  “Would you be willing to give up this room again?”  That was all I heard.  I kept vacuuming and talking to Jesus and I said, “well, You gave me a GIANT SEWING ROOM at the co-op, so I guess if You ask me to move it all out again, I can do that.”

Little did I know…but He did prepare me.

Honestly, I am taking this next phase with intentional steps.  I know it’s not going to be any better than it was before when it comes to his health.  While at the nursing home, he had NO stress at all.  He had his meals made for him, his pills administered three times a day, a shower given to him every other day and he didn’t venture around a lot.  He will have assistance here, but I work, have chores, I am NOT disciplined with a menu and so I do not know how all this is going to work.

So, if you think of me/us/him, would you  pray for wisdom and strength for us?  I would really appreciate it.

I’m sure there will be much to write about as I navigate this time.  But again, as Heraclitus said, ‘there is nothing permanent except change’, so here we go!