When it rains, it pours. You all have heard me talk about my Bubby. He has a developmental disability and cerebral palsy and I’ve always been his biggest fan. He lived at home with our mom all his life and when she passed rather suddenly in January of 2004, he wanted to come live near me. He was accepted into a wonderful program for assisting adults like him and has lived in one of their homes in as independent a setting as he can attain. He has a roommate and they do their own shopping and cook their own meals, take their own medicines, and work at their own jobs. 

The year of Covid took a lot out of my brother. His stamina deteriorated but his mind stayed the same. When he had the opportunity to go on a group trip with a company who takes developmentally delayed adults on vacation, he jumped at the chance to go. He’s done a couple of other trips with them…one to Hawaii and the other on a cruise to Catalina Island and down into Mexico. Unfortunately, people like Gary often don’t live as long as the rest of us. They get frail sooner, and their health fails, yet their minds and hearts think they’re much younger.

Bubby was supposed to leave for Las Vegas yesterday morning, but he got sick during the night, and ended up in the hospital. They are taking good care of him, and Daughter #1 went to see him after work. She set up a video chat with him and I got to see him for myself. He looked so tired and weak and frail. It just broke my heart.

I have to give big kudos to his case worker who stayed by his side in Denver all day yesterday, even though he was asleep most of the time. She texted and called me frequently to keep me in the loop and went above and beyond. Thank you SO much, Melissa…you are awesome! She even called last night when she got home from Denver just to check in and see how he is doing. The staff nurse from his facility will go down today and bring him home if they discharge him. And, Daughter #1 is prepared to go back for a visit if he has to stay.

I knew making the choice to live here, there would be times when I wouldn’t be able to sit with a sick loved one at a moment’s notice. I knew I would miss out on milestones with my children and grandchildren. But, I also knew…for my own mental health…I needed to take this opportunity to live in my beloved home state. If I hadn’t have, I may have regretted if for the rest of my life. My mind is healthier here. My heart is happier. And if it weren’t for the pandemic, i would have been in Colorado a few weeks last year. I’ll just have to make up for it this year.

Please pray for my sweet brother, that his kidneys work perfectly, that he can increase his fluid intake, and regain his strength so he can come home from the hospital. He is my hero…my heart. 

What a week…and it was only Wednesday.

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“Please help us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks for the blessings we receive in answer to all these prayers.”

2 Corinthians 1:11 CEV