Feb 2023

 Dear Family and Friends,

    One month of our new year has already come and gone and may have taken our resolutions and good intentions with it? How are you doing with yours? I know my 1st of January letter was entirely filled with the happenings of my 3rd of December surprise birthday party, which was so overwhelming for me, that a very important duty was neglected. No one was assigned to keep track of the gifts received. Linda says she put the accompanying card with each gift, but somehow they got gathered up with all the other cards, leaving the gifts to be later unknown! Now, what was I to do? 

    I knew each giver would be expecting a nice Thank You card from me, but how could I do that? With over 60 people in attendance but not nearly that many gifts, how was I ever to know who gave what gift? Some were couples, but a birthday card matched with everyone who signed the guest book. After all, it was to honor me for having reached the milestone of 95 years, so a card commemorating the event was really all that was needed. But others chose to bring gifts, as well, which were appreciated, but not expected. I agonized, even lost sleep, over what I should do about this situation. I gave a verbal thank you for coming and for your gifts to my guests, as they prepared to leave. But that is not like acknowledging individuals for their particular gift, later, like I had intended to do, but now was unable to accomplish. I am so sorry it happened. But I have no way of correcting it now. I just have to hope they will forgive me and not think too badly of me. 

    Now, as for January doings, very little occurred until the middle of the month when I again had an all-night session with my still sensitive stump going through continuous spasms of jerking and jarring me every few seconds. So, it went on like that for eight full hours! What triggers it and why it lasts so long? I have no idea. This time was different from the other episode a few months ago, in that it seemed to start in the foot that doesn’t exist and shoot upward! I would grab for it, but, of course, nothing was there. So strange and so consistent! It was tough to lose a full night’s sleep, but glad that during the next day only a few jerks occurred, and then it was gone. For good, I hope! Just after that siege of phantom jerking, I had a terrible aching in the hip muscles of my good leg, that seemed to come from nowhere and was very sore and bothersome. But I did not mention it to True. During this time, a couple of nice events took place. So, it wasn’t until later, that ice was put on to relieve it a bit. 

    True received a visit from Lisa, a friend she knew from her time in Sedona, AZ last summer. She was a nice lady and was able to stay for three days before traveling on. Since she was new to the Pacific Northwest and was anxious to see the Redwoods, which are not quite 100 miles west of here, True took her there the first day, and they had a great time. By accident, they discovered a hiking trail that took them further into Jedediah State Park, where they saw some wondrous sights. They also drove to the coast, where they saw huge waves crashing over the rocks. Lisa was excited by all that she had seen that day. Later, she was introduced to our family game of Tile Rummy and was tickled to win 2 out of 3 times! 

    The plan for the next day, was to take her to see Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge that are some 400 miles, or so, north of Grants Pass. This time, the girls invited me to go with them. I was delighted, but wondered about how I would manage. We ended up taking both my walker for standing and rest stops, and the lighter weight travel wheelchair, used for pushing me around at other places, which seemed to work out just fine. The only thing that presented a problem, was, how could I get into Lisa’s truck-like SUV with its front seat 6 inches higher than a regular car? And, especially with my sore rump? Luckily, it did have a running-board, where I could place the heel of my shoe and help push myself up, a bit. But it was the strong arms of my daughter, True, that lifted me on up, and into that high seat. Lisa had such a spry and agile body, that it was absolutely no problem for her to slip in and out of the driver’s seat, during the many long trips she has made, and will make in the future. She, like True, seems to be able to drive continuously for long periods of time without tiring. And she does it barefooted! 

    It was after 8:30 AM, and very, very foggy when we left home, but soon cleared up, and was a very pleasant drive to Portland. Using her car’s GPS, Lisa drove us successfully to our first stop, Kathi’s house in a wooded area of Portland. Kathi is a longtime friend off True’s who is always glad to have her stop by, and even stay with her, whenever she’s in the Portland area. It’s nice to know that True has so many sweet friends that love her and would do anything for her. 

    True now took the wheel and we soon arrived at the Columbia River, which is the dividing line between Oregon and Washington, then many miles eastward, through mountains on both sides of the river, filled with rugged beauty and occasional little waterfalls, until we reached the granddaddy of them all, the majestic Multnomah Falls! It starts from the very top of a high mountain and cascades 600 feet down the mountain side into a pool below, then under a walking bridge, and with a wide spread of beautiful, flowing water, it fills another pool at a lower level. My wheelchair was positioned right in front of the lower level, while the two girls hiked up to the bridge and waved to me from there. It was chilly, but nice clear weather, so the beauty and serenity of the falls and surrounding area were captured well, I think, in the pictures that were taken. Drinking a cup of hot chocolate while there, sure hit the spot! 

    Leaving the falls, we continued on through the gorge to the town of Hood River, which leads over the Columbia River into Washington, but we turned around and headed back. It was now almost 5PM, the sun was setting and gave some coloring to the mountains that was lovely to see. It was dark when we got to downtown Portland, but True navigated those city streets like the pro that she is, having lived in that area for 25 years, and got us to a special dining place quickly. Then, it was off for the long drive home, first by Lisa, then True for the last part. It was almost midnight when we reached home. But, what a pleasant journey, and magnificent experience that was!! Not only for Lisa, but for me, too! 

    The following day was Lisa’s last day here, so she packed up her bags and prepared to leave. True had suggested that they convoy as far as Shasta, CA. in separate cars. There, they would fill up large containers with the pure spring water that comes bubbling up from its source at the base of Mt. Shasta. Then hike up the mountain trail as far as possible, say their goodbyes, and go their separate ways. Lisa intends to meet with family members in Indiana for a few days, then take off for a year’s stay in India. She didn’t seem to know exactly everything she would do there, but whatever it is, we wish her well. And, will welcome her back again when she’s ready to return. 

    Something else that happened this month, was taking the opportunity to attend the Medford Temple again, by signing up, when Ward Temple Night was announced. Dan and Cathy had taken me to the temple when they were here for my birthday, but I wondered who else might be willing to handle me and my wheelchair. When word was put out that I would like to go, but preferred the 5PM rather than the late 7PM session, a couple responded. I was amazed, but thankful, because I really want to go as often as possible. Not being used to procedures, I had failed to call the temple for a reservation, but hoped that their 5PM session would’t be so crowded that they could accept one more patron. When the car arrived for me, it had only the wife in it, so, I thought, perhaps I shouldn’t even be going at all. But she assured me that everything would be all right, because I could use her husband’s reservation and she was stronger than she looked and could handle me as well as my wheelchair! So, off we went. I was glad to be in the temple where I could feel close to the Lord. I petitioned him again, for help with my birthday gifts problem. But, still having felt no response, I have now decided to just let it drop, give my mind a little rest from it and hope that those involved won’t think too harshly of me. 

    I know this is getting lengthy, again, but something else that was a bit stressful and occupied a great deal of my time this month, was sorting through the many boxes and bags of greeting cards that had been dropped off at my house, because I had been appointed (without fore knowledge) to be the new Sunshine Girl of Riviera Park. It just involves having a list of more than 100 residents, showing their birthdays and anniversaries, and sending them an appropriate card when the occasion arrives. That is no problem and I actually don’t mind doing it, but I don’t know why I wasn’t asked, before just assuming that Marie would be a good one to fill the shoes of the other person who was resigning from that position in the Residents Association. 

    In order to save money, I suppose, they had accepted unused greeting cards from various sources, that were in boxes and bags, which I now inherited. Desiring to be more organized and know what was available for our 55 & older residents, I took on the job of looking at every single one of the cards in every single box and bag, to determine its usage and appropriateness, and placed it in its own specific pile. I was using every inch of space on my table and True’s desk too. What I found by doing this, was almost a hundred Get Well cards. I kept only a small amount of those, because someone has to inform me of a need for those kind, Next, were the Thinking of You, cards, but were always from a single person and not a group, as we would need, if we were to ever send that type of card. The same applies to Thank You and Sympathy cards, of which I kept just a few, in order to be ready in case they might be needed. There were lots of Christmas cards, some Thanksgiving and various others among the massive amount of cards I went through. I sorted and sorted. This project lasted several days. 

    Believe it or not, those many boxes and bags of mixed cards are now mainly concentrated into ONE box of Birthday and Anniversary cards, as required for the Park, plus a few of the others. And ONE box filled with an extra supply of the essentials and a few others, which is now in storage. It took a lot of time and effort, but now I’m content and ready to do this job, as long as there are others who will deliver the cards for me. We’ll have to see about that. 

    Well, that is enough for January, so I’ll bid you goodbye, until we meet again on the first of March. Stay Healthy and Happy!. Enjoy Valentine’s Day, that’s coming up, and your puzzle too.  

    And know that I Love you! 

Marie