Birthstone: Amethyst for Sincerity

Flower: The Amaranth

Bird: The Song Sparrow

 

I sit and hear the blithe song sparrow sing

His strain of rapture not to be surpressed

That son of perfect trust, of perfect cheer

Courageous, constant, free of doubt or fear.

--Celia Thaxter

It is well into the month of February as I begin this writing. On February 1st, my dear husband was taken by ambulance from the dialysis center, to the hospital. He was having much difficulty breathing--even with added oxygen. After several hours of wait and a chest x-ray, it was determined that he had acute pneumonia.

I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was scared. So was I. He wanted me near him, and I spent as much time with him that I could, often leaving way after dark--as soon as visiting hours were over.

During that time we had a lot of people of all faiths praying for him. Elders from out church came to his room and gave him a priesthood blessing by laying on of hands and anointing with oil.

My dear husband spent a total of seven days in the hospital and is now back home. He is a little weak from it all, but doing nicely--thanks to many prayers and abundant blessings.

February is a month symbolizing love. Valentine's Day is a special day that originally commemorated romance. In later times, however, it has become a day to express not only romance, but love of family and friends. Sometimes we take that love for granted. And sometimes life reminds us of how much we have to lose, as in the case with my husband's illness. Tell your loved ones often, how much they mean to you. Don't put it off--remind them daily. It will enrich their lives as well as yours.

Thank you Dear Lord

For healing my husband

Thank you for giving all the many blessings

And for answering many prayers

That were abundantly offered by myself, our family and friends

 

In this month of the celebration of Love

Let us not forget the greatest love of all--

The love you have for us!

May we return it to YOU and each other ten fold.

I say this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ

--Amen

Answered prayers.

My husband

God's blessings

Diana, Janett, Lisa, Jessica, Dori, Mary, Dolly, Ann, JoLaine, Lometa, The Bensons and Barbara.

People who pray for us

Having a roof over my head and food on the table.

Warm days in February

My mother-in-law's friend, Mary.

The body's ability to heal.

Wise doctors.

Cluttered homes full of displayed memories.

Pictures and calendars in the mail.

Time alone with my husband

Health insurance

Get-well cards.

Valentines in the mail.

Longer days and beautiful mornings.

Days when my mother-in-law has a sharper memory.

Memories of Valentine's Day when I was a child.

The Olympic Games

Weekends!!!!!

Little Old Ladies

Two little old ladies

Live on my block

They live for each day

And not by the clock

 

They like to eat cookies

And they like to have tea

To them life is carefree

And as simple can be

 

They talk about grandkids

And old days gone by

They take life's up and downs

Much better than I

 

Their houses are cluttered

With things that are old

Like pictures and handprints

To them--they're like gold

 

They both are now widows

But their lives have gone on

Each day is a precious note

In life's lovely song

If you start feeling down

And life seems like a fuss

Just find two sweet old ladies

They're much wiser than us

 

--Aunt Sadie

Copyright 2002

For Lometa and Mary

Here it is... the end of February. I had such plans to write a lot this month. Sometimes life is so overwhelming that you just can't do it all. Such is now. It has not been a fun month. I'm tired and I'm really glad that tomorrow is March 1st!