Almost A Year?

 Dear Reader,

Has it really been almost a year?

I'm afraid it has.

It has been a busy year - 

busy with new activities, new responsibilities,

new cares, new demands,

new experiences and learning.

Perhaps the biggest thoughts of the year have been on the temporal nature of life.

You know that hubby's mom was diagnosed with cancer.

A woman my age has been battling cancer in our church.

Our former pastor's wife, just slightly younger than I, was called home to heaven after a battle with cancer.

Just this week, I heard of a pastor, again my age, who died in his sleep.

There are just no guarantees in this life.

Hubby's mom finished her battle in August.

While her doctor's appointments ended in January of this year,

there were more responsibilities in visiting and doing excess chores and errands.

In July, we assumed full care as she became home-bound.

There was a lot more running, two visits a day, shopping, and in-home nursing visits.

There was a learning of new nursing skills and jargon.

God was gracious to her and to us. 

Her time with a lack of independence was relatively short - 

really only 1 1/2 months.

We prayed that God would allow us to be with her when she passed.

We almost didn't go that night.

I was tired and just worn out.

I had been over 2 times already that day.

But, we went ...

And she was in the middle of her final pain attack.

We were able to administer medication and pray and sing until the medication kicked in.

She never really resumed alertness but seemed to respond slightly in her last hours to our words and stories.

She passed the next evening.

Again, God's grace - only a short time where she was not truly conscious or alert.

And God gave me a new awareness of the burden of caregiving that many people shoulder for many, many years.

As hubby's last parent was fighting cancer,

as a wife, I couldn't help but think of his health, of our health.

In human terms, both of his parents died young.

Of course, life and death are in God's hands.

The "healthiest" person can die young.

The most "unhealthy" person can exceed 100 years.

But I do feel a responsibility for our health.

Was I doing all that I could for our health and well-being?

After much reading,

we began pursuing a more plant-based diet.

Many bleak diagnoses have been reversed with a change in diet.

This was not an easy task.

It is not just eating vegetables.

You have to find the protein.

You have to find the right balance.

You have to find enough calories.

You have to pay attention to vitamins.

Research and new recipes again ...

Couldn't I just leave well enough alone when it came to diets?

It has been a new challenge, but one that has yielded some good changes in our health.

No, we have not kicked meat to the curb entirely.

I still embrace balance😉

But it plays a little less of a part in the meal planning,

it is a much smaller portion on the plate,

and it forces me to focus on vegetables and whole grains and beans and seeds.

This week - 

Sunday - Rustic Winter Vegetable Soup with polenta

Monday - Teriyaki Salmon, Roasted Brocolli, Brown rice 

Tuesday - Garlic White Bean Soup and Biscuits

Wednesday - Breakfast for supper (usually eggs, avocado, and smoothie)

Thursday - Twice Baked Veggie Stuffed Potato and Grilled Chicken 

Friday - Fast Food Fix (This is the night we satisfy our french fry cravings with an easy meal that includes baked french fries) - did I mention I still embrace balance?