My dad is still in the hospital following his little stroke earlier this week, but he's stable and should be able to go home tomorrow.

However, considering his health history and his stubborn determination to no longer follow the heart/diabetic healthy diet he's followed for a couple of decades, I doubt this is the last emergency trip to the hospital he's going to take. 

My older son drove down yesterday to check on them. Twenty-seven years ago they were taking care of him (while I worked) and now he's taking care of them (while I work.)

What a beautiful circle.

I appreciate all of your prayers for Daddy, as well as all of the advice and encouragement you sent me after my last post. I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do, but you've given me so much to consider when making my decision. Thank you so much, sweet friends!

It's been an up-and-down, exhausting week, but each day still offered plenty of sweet! moments, nonetheless. I hope you're still finding plenty, too! Share them in the comments!

 

Sunday: new wine, fresh from the barrel; the half moon and a sky full of stars guiding you home after an evening of laughter and tears with dear friends; a glimpse of deer and a ringtail in your headlights 



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Monday: sleeping in; your son joining you on your morning walk with the puppies and helping you take down your Christmas tree; moonlight on a caliche road and tin roof



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Be
like the bird that, 
pausing in her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath
wings.

~Victor Hugo

Tuesday: a glimpse of a cardinal, first thing in the morning; a hawk soaring through a cloudless azure sky; sore muscles; remembering to pick up your puppy's dog food on your way home from work

Wednesday: a walk in the fog; brick oven roasted veggies; relaxing after work with a glass of wine on a patio overlooking a vineyard; baby steps on your book

Thursday: an invitation to join an online group of women writers; high school students who are courteous and respectful; cell phones so you can keep up with news of your dad's latest mini-stroke even though you're miles away

Friday: news that your dad is stable and hearing his voice via speakerphone; the full moon rising; daydreaming about returning to college



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Saturday: a chocolate cake-ball-on-a-stick; a face-to-face moment with a deer on your caliche road, even if you're not able to capture it with your camera; your son making a road trip to see your parents in the hospital; friends asking about your dad; a text from a friend reminding you there's a full moon, because it made her think of you; dramatic clouds swirling around a full moon

Sunday: your husband taking over your dog-feeding duties to give you a little free time before work; singing "How Great Thou Art"; a job tip from a friend; a beautiful surprise visitor in your yard when you get home from church; a gift of song from a dear friend

 
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Our surprise visitor, Rico, who lives up the road. Can you believe he's 12? 

 

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27 responses to “Gratitude (and other sweet!s)”

  1. Ms. A Avatar

    Thinking good thoughts for your Dad and saying prayers for him to be back home with your Mom soon! It must be really hard for her when he’s away in the hospital so often.
    Have a sweet week, filled with sweet! moments.

    Like

  2. Early Childhood Education Mumbai Avatar

    I still haven’t realized out what I’m going to do, but you’ve given me so much to consider when creating my choice.

    Like

  3. Jennifer RIchardson Avatar

    i absolutely love how you seek and see
    the beauty that is there
    just waiting to be noticed and appreciated
    even when times are hard.
    your photos (that moon!)
    are a gift as is the beautiful
    heart that you share.
    thank you….i’m honored,
    Jennifer

    Like

  4. Gail Avatar

    Another sweet-filled week! Glad to hear your dad will be well enough to go home and that you will have another great week! Minus hospital visits of course!

    Like

  5. Jori Avatar

    I hope your dad get’s well soon!

    Like

  6. lisleman Avatar

    I had missed your last post. Just read it. You are so right about what-ifs wasting time. I think if we don’t have mistakes in our past then we didn’t take any risks. Life is about risk and learning from the ones that didn’t work and knowing there will be more to consider tomorrow. You can’t drive forward very well looking in the rear view mirror but once in awhile you need to look at what is behind you.
    all the best

    Like

  7. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    I want to be like that Victor Hugo bird!

    Like

  8. lisa Avatar

    Sending good thoughts and prayers your way, Barbara.
    xo.

    Like

  9. Sharon Greenthal Avatar

    Sending good wishes to you and your father. Thanks for sharing your wonderful moments – it’s so uplifting to be reminded to savor the moment!

    Like

  10. Cathy Chester Avatar

    Wonderful and beautiful post. My dad had a stroke 12 years ago and he’s still with us. I wish I could blog back then because I needed to!
    I send healing thoughts and prayers your way, and thanks for a gentle reminder that life is wonderful and delicious, despite some difficult journeys.

    Like

  11. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you, Cathy! I pray that you have many more years with your dad!

    Like

  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you! It's great therapy, that's for sure!

    Like

  13. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you so much, Lisa!
     

    Like

  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    "You can't drive forward very well looking in the rear view mirror but once in awhile you need to look at what is behind you." Wise advice, Bill! Thank you!
     

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  15. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you so much! He's out of the hospital now, thank goodness. 

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  16. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you, Gail. Fingers crossed on no hospital visits for a long, long time!

    Like

  17. Barbara Shallue Avatar
  18. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    He's back home now – let's hope he gets to stay there for awhile! Thank you so much for your good thoughts. Hope you're having a sweet-filled week, too!

    Like

  19. Suldog Avatar

    That moon photo is magnificent, Barbara! I just said another prayer for Your Dad.

    Like

  20. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I'm so glad I pulled myself away from the computer to go enjoy that moon. At best I only captured a fraction of it's beauty. It's all in the action of the clouds. Love it! Thank you so much for the prayers!
     

    Like

  21. Emily Avatar

    Lovely sweet moments and best wishes for your Dad…I was reminded the other day that I need to find those moments everyday. My mom is battling cancer now and undergoing chemo. She said excitedly to me on the phone the other day that she had gotten a haircut. She said if her hair was going to fall out, she wanted it to fall out in style. Her wonderful attitude reminded me to find those sweet moments every single day.

    Like

  22. Lois Alter Mark Avatar

    Sending good thoughts for your dad. So great that you’re celebrating the sweet moments.

    Like

  23. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you so much!
     

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  24. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Your mom sounds like an amazing woman! She is the kind of person who inspired me to start paying attention to those sweet!s in the first place. I'll keep her in my prayers!

    Like

  25. Jane Gassner Avatar

    Barbara,
    The toughest thing about parenting your parents is that you still have to let go and let them be be what they are–adults, with free choice.

    Like

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