A Hard Time

This is a hard time. We heard from Rob that Betsey is now receiving two medications only: morphine and halopiderol, the former for pain, the latter to calm disturbing thoughts and visions. Betsey is now eating and drinking virtually nothing, and is sleeping much of the time. I am glad that she seems to be more at peace. She is in the good care of Rob, Katie and Emma, and the Hospice team. Ellen and I are in Salem, OR, with dear friends. It is difficult not being there. It is a time requiring great faith, a faithful, trusting, letting go.  I am very grateful for everything that has been done and that is being done now to help ease Betsey along this final journey. Again and again, I place her in God's loving hands.

Here in Salem, we are in the healing circle  of friends that care and understand. Today we went to Portland, where Roger and Bonnie spend Mondays caring for their grandson, Sidney, who is an adorable two year old. We spent a little time with them at Sidney's house, then we all had lunch at Laughing Planet, near the Reed College campus in the Woodstock neighborhood of Portland. Then we came back to Salem, and spent time with our friend, J. E., who is recuperating from surgery on her left ankle which she broke in three places in a hiking fall about a month ago. She is amazingly upbeat in the face of a very long recuperation.

We will be here another day anyway, probably head back midweek, stop in Boise on the way back, and be back in Alpine by week's end. Then we will assess everything anew.

Sidney with Bonnie and dinosaurs at Laughing Planet.

My Cobb Salad at Laughing Planet

         Reed College campus 

 

One of the roses in Bonnie and Roger's front yard.