FAMILY
On this sunny Saturday morning in Minnesota, I am sitting, with my foot up, in my room at Oaklawn Nursing Home. In the past week, I have had a great deal of time to think and reflect. And I have learned a lot about myself and about what I like to call The Family of Man. Let me tell you about how I got to be here and then I will ramble on about my thoughts.
For the past 9 years or so, I have been getting cortisone shots in my right knee. The doctor at TRIA in Minneapolis always told me that I would know when it was time to have surgery. While walking down steps and boat ramps and getting in and out of the boat this winter and early spring, I decided it was time. When we hit Minnesota, one of my first stops was with Dr. Aadahlen and the surgery was soon scheduled for June 10. As the day got closer, I got nervous and nearly changed my mind a couple of times.
On June 9th, my bag was packed and I was doing dishes in the motorhome when Mike fell from the ladder (where he was cleaning out the awning) and landed flat on his back. There was a quick response from our campground family and it wasn't long before Mike was in the ambulance and we were headed for the Emergency Room at Mankato Hospital. While driving in, I called our family (Terry and Brian) to meet us at the emergency room and Lael (a good friend and member of our church family) to ask for prayers..
At the hospital, the people I have begun to think of as our healthcare family met us and made Mike comfortable. The Doctor ordered tests and by 11:00 that night, we were back home. Mike had no broken bones or long term injuries, but would be mighty sore for a very long time. Thanks to our family of friends, a ride had been arranged for me to the Methodist Park Nicollet Hospital. At 7 am the following morning, Judy and Gary were at our door ready and willing to take the foggy drive north.
I was admitted at nine, had total knee replacement surgery at 11 and by 2:30 I had begun to think about family. I would be dishonest if I said I didn't miss Mike being there. Of course I did; he is my everywhere, all the time, through it all family. But what I focused on were the people I had encountered in the past 24 hours.
Immediately after the fall, I am talking within a minute, fellow campers who also are fire fighters, had taken charge and were helping to keep Mike safe and comfortable. Blankets, calls to 911, offers to help me get things stowed away, more offers to take me to Mankato to the hospital, and then an offer from LeAnn to take Monday off from work and drive me to the cities so I did not miss my scheduled appointment. The more I thought about and prayed for each of these helpers, I realized how blessed I was with "family".
In the days that followed at the hospital, I reflected on my new definition of family. Several years ago, a friend made a tote that said, "Friends are Family by Choice". I love that statement and I think I can not broaden it to say "We Are All Family by Choice". In the hospital, I was assisted by those "aunts" and "cousins" who always know just what to say or do or give you. Two "real cousins" showed up with good chocolate - although I don't know them well, they sure know me!
There were the "parents" on staff that really knew what was best for me and labored to be sure all my needs were met. And then there was the great "sibling" who ratted me out when I walked back to bed unassisted. And in families, there are always those that force you to be your best and do your best - Physical Therapists certainly fall into that category.
Because the motorhome is not conducive to walkers and doesn't afford much space for exercise, I had decided to do transitional care at a facility in the cities. When Mike was injured, we rethought that decision and, with the help of real brother, Rich, they found Oaklawn in Mankato. Granddaughter Kaci gave up her day off to come up and get me. (I hear we are being charged RN rates.) What a delight it was to have this family member all to myself for a couple of hours - nonstop conversation.
When we got to the nursing home and after I had checked in and after I had unpacked my two pairs of undies and t-shirt and sweats, I got to feeling sorry for myself again. It wasn't long before "family" came to the rescue. I had calls to see how everything was going, I had a nursing assistant who listened to my stories and seemed interested in my life and I had two wonderful nieces who showed up with potato chips and wine. After a couple of hours with them, sitting on the patio, enjoying each other's company, and getting my nails polished, I was a happy woman again.
So, at every step of the way and in all of life's situations, there has been "family" there to help and do what family does - that is, what God's Family does.
For a long time, Mike had talked about taking Kaci (and Amariah) on an Enter Family History Tour in Nicollet, where he grew up. So one windy and cool Saturday a few weeks back, we picked them up, stopped for field trip supplies of chips, cookies, and beverages and headed out.
Our first stop was at the Memorial in honor of all those who served in all wars. Mike is there as a Vietnam Era Veteran.
This plaque is original and just below the peak on the house.
Amariah found a swing that she really liked. Imagine her great great great great grandpa clearing the land and working the land you see in the background.
How amazing for Kaci to push her child in a swing next to a house built so many generations before. This is my favorite picture of the day.
This was the smokehouse on the old farmstead and when you open the door, you can still smell smoke - especially on humid days.
Next stop was the home where Mike's grandpa and grandma lived. It is still in the Enter family as well. Mike remembers the tree, the sheds and the old tractor from his childhood.
We stopped to admire Swan Lake which played such a prominent role in the history of Mike's family and that of Nicollet. It was here where Mike shot the white snow goose when he was only 10. He was featured in the local paper as "Single Shot Myron".
When we got to Elmer and Delores's house, Amariah found another swing and even one in which her Opa joined her. I have written about this house before, but once again think about the family who lived in that white clapboard house behind - during the time of Indians; during the Indian Wars of 1862.
As always, it was great to see Aunt Delores and Uncle Elmer - the Great Great Great Aunt and Uncle to Amariah.
On this dreary spring day in Minnesota we traveled down country roads that looked like this; not much different from 150 years ago.
We saw the homeplace where Mike's mom had been raised; this building was there when Amariah's Great Great Grandmother Marion lived there as a child.
Our next stops were at gravesites in Nicollet and Mankato. We placed flowers on all the graves and talked about how Mike remembered the person.
It was an amazing day. It was a day that all children should experience; to feel apart of the ancestral family and to appreciate their rich heritage.
* A group of people who are generally not related but who share common attitudes, interests,
or goals; My friends are like Family.
* The staff or body of assistants at a place of employment; The Healthcare Family.
* All those persons considered as descendants of a common progenitor; The Family of God.
I encountered and was welcomed and helped by each of these families this week.
For the past 9 years or so, I have been getting cortisone shots in my right knee. The doctor at TRIA in Minneapolis always told me that I would know when it was time to have surgery. While walking down steps and boat ramps and getting in and out of the boat this winter and early spring, I decided it was time. When we hit Minnesota, one of my first stops was with Dr. Aadahlen and the surgery was soon scheduled for June 10. As the day got closer, I got nervous and nearly changed my mind a couple of times.
On June 9th, my bag was packed and I was doing dishes in the motorhome when Mike fell from the ladder (where he was cleaning out the awning) and landed flat on his back. There was a quick response from our campground family and it wasn't long before Mike was in the ambulance and we were headed for the Emergency Room at Mankato Hospital. While driving in, I called our family (Terry and Brian) to meet us at the emergency room and Lael (a good friend and member of our church family) to ask for prayers..
At the hospital, the people I have begun to think of as our healthcare family met us and made Mike comfortable. The Doctor ordered tests and by 11:00 that night, we were back home. Mike had no broken bones or long term injuries, but would be mighty sore for a very long time. Thanks to our family of friends, a ride had been arranged for me to the Methodist Park Nicollet Hospital. At 7 am the following morning, Judy and Gary were at our door ready and willing to take the foggy drive north.
I was admitted at nine, had total knee replacement surgery at 11 and by 2:30 I had begun to think about family. I would be dishonest if I said I didn't miss Mike being there. Of course I did; he is my everywhere, all the time, through it all family. But what I focused on were the people I had encountered in the past 24 hours.
Immediately after the fall, I am talking within a minute, fellow campers who also are fire fighters, had taken charge and were helping to keep Mike safe and comfortable. Blankets, calls to 911, offers to help me get things stowed away, more offers to take me to Mankato to the hospital, and then an offer from LeAnn to take Monday off from work and drive me to the cities so I did not miss my scheduled appointment. The more I thought about and prayed for each of these helpers, I realized how blessed I was with "family".
In the days that followed at the hospital, I reflected on my new definition of family. Several years ago, a friend made a tote that said, "Friends are Family by Choice". I love that statement and I think I can not broaden it to say "We Are All Family by Choice". In the hospital, I was assisted by those "aunts" and "cousins" who always know just what to say or do or give you. Two "real cousins" showed up with good chocolate - although I don't know them well, they sure know me!
There were the "parents" on staff that really knew what was best for me and labored to be sure all my needs were met. And then there was the great "sibling" who ratted me out when I walked back to bed unassisted. And in families, there are always those that force you to be your best and do your best - Physical Therapists certainly fall into that category.
Because the motorhome is not conducive to walkers and doesn't afford much space for exercise, I had decided to do transitional care at a facility in the cities. When Mike was injured, we rethought that decision and, with the help of real brother, Rich, they found Oaklawn in Mankato. Granddaughter Kaci gave up her day off to come up and get me. (I hear we are being charged RN rates.) What a delight it was to have this family member all to myself for a couple of hours - nonstop conversation.
When we got to the nursing home and after I had checked in and after I had unpacked my two pairs of undies and t-shirt and sweats, I got to feeling sorry for myself again. It wasn't long before "family" came to the rescue. I had calls to see how everything was going, I had a nursing assistant who listened to my stories and seemed interested in my life and I had two wonderful nieces who showed up with potato chips and wine. After a couple of hours with them, sitting on the patio, enjoying each other's company, and getting my nails polished, I was a happy woman again.
So, at every step of the way and in all of life's situations, there has been "family" there to help and do what family does - that is, what God's Family does.
PART 2 - Family History
For a long time, Mike had talked about taking Kaci (and Amariah) on an Enter Family History Tour in Nicollet, where he grew up. So one windy and cool Saturday a few weeks back, we picked them up, stopped for field trip supplies of chips, cookies, and beverages and headed out.
Our first stop was at the Memorial in honor of all those who served in all wars. Mike is there as a Vietnam Era Veteran.
Amariah found a swing she really liked at the park.
Our next stop was the home where Shirley Enter currently lives; the house that was built by Henry Enter in 1887 when he came to this country from Germany.
This plaque is original and just below the peak on the house.
Amariah found a swing that she really liked. Imagine her great great great great grandpa clearing the land and working the land you see in the background.
How amazing for Kaci to push her child in a swing next to a house built so many generations before. This is my favorite picture of the day.
This was the smokehouse on the old farmstead and when you open the door, you can still smell smoke - especially on humid days.
Next stop was the home where Mike's grandpa and grandma lived. It is still in the Enter family as well. Mike remembers the tree, the sheds and the old tractor from his childhood.
We stopped to admire Swan Lake which played such a prominent role in the history of Mike's family and that of Nicollet. It was here where Mike shot the white snow goose when he was only 10. He was featured in the local paper as "Single Shot Myron".
As always, it was great to see Aunt Delores and Uncle Elmer - the Great Great Great Aunt and Uncle to Amariah.
On this dreary spring day in Minnesota we traveled down country roads that looked like this; not much different from 150 years ago.
We saw the homeplace where Mike's mom had been raised; this building was there when Amariah's Great Great Grandmother Marion lived there as a child.
Our next stops were at gravesites in Nicollet and Mankato. We placed flowers on all the graves and talked about how Mike remembered the person.
It was an amazing day. It was a day that all children should experience; to feel apart of the ancestral family and to appreciate their rich heritage.
Definitions of Family:
* A social unit consisting of one or more adults and the children they care for; The Traditional Family.* A group of people who are generally not related but who share common attitudes, interests,
or goals; My friends are like Family.
* The staff or body of assistants at a place of employment; The Healthcare Family.
* All those persons considered as descendants of a common progenitor; The Family of God.
I encountered and was welcomed and helped by each of these families this week.
Ahhhh FAMILY
posted by jf and me | 7:17 PM
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