May 2023

 May 1, 2023

Dear Friends and Family,

The month of April started out with inspiring messages from our prophet and apostles and others at General Conference in Salt Lake. Then the very next week was Easter with beautiful music from the Tabernacle Choir and more meaningful messages from our inspired leaders.

Later, in our own ward’s relief society, a very resourceful former school teacher presented the Easter story very effectively by using objects to represent the various activities of that week. Very appropriately, she had small items hidden inside plastic Easter eggs that were numbered from 1 to 12. These were among the basketful of eggs that were passed to everyone, but containing only candy. As each number was called for and opened, we had a chance to guess what it might refer to, and then were given biblical information connected to that event. I can’t remember them all, but a few stuck in my mind:--- a leaf - palm leaves, a few coins - clearing the temple, bread - the last supper, a red kiss on paper - betrayal of Judas, small nails - crucifixion, small flat rock - door to sepulcher, nothing inside - empty tomb. A very involving and effective way of teaching. Don’t you think?

The teacher, Nancy Grant, had also been to Jerusalem, and told us a couple of things that were different from the Bible account. The hill Golgotha, is only an incline and is near the main traveled road. The crosses were deeper into the ground and easier for people to add to the torture of those hanging there by throwing stones and other things at them. Being crucified was, indeed, the worst possible type of punishment to the physical body, but we know that Christ suffered his greatest agony to his spirit and soul when in Gethsemane he took on the sins of the world - that’s you and me! - which caused such excruciating pain and suffering that he bled from every pore. Her presentation was very impressive, given from her ‘walker.’ Nancy has back and leg problems, but has progressed from wheelchair to walker, just as I have , and we laugh and tease each other about having a race down the hall, someday.

In past Easters, and Christmases too, I have found it fun to be an “unknown giver” who would put a $1:00 bill into an envelope along with a little note that says: “Just a small gift from an ‘unknown giver’ to remind you of the Supreme Giver and the Greatest Gift ever given to all of us. So, enjoy your Easter as you remember to give thanks to Him for the gift of His Son. Jesus Christ.” That envelope was delivered secretly two nights before the event, to over 100 residents of the Riviera. It was such fun to do. I also wanted some church members and others to receive the same message, so I stamped, addressed, and mailed their envelopes, hoping they wouldn’t recognize my handwriting. I desperately wanted to do that same thing this year, but things have changed. The amount I used to have available for this and all other charities is no longer available, so I’m having to let them all go, even though it hurts me to do so. As a substitute, I included a couple of Easter puzzles and hoped that would suffice as a “small gift” and, yet, still encourage the receiver to give thanks to our Heavenly Father for Jesus, and all His many gifts to us, including puzzles.

Since my physical therapy treatments had stopped last Nov., plus the fall and bad treatment I gave to my stump by crawling on it, which caused it to stay sensitive for a month and not let me put the prosthesis back on, I lost most of what I had learned and gained in the year since I first received my “swinging” leg I call “Buddy.” Linda managed to convince the insurance company that I did need further professional physical therapy treatments. So, in April, I began PT again, and fortunately, with Steve, my very first therapist, whom I liked so well. He had retired, but decided to come back for just two days a week, the same two I will be using. So, hopefully, I will get back what I lost and be able to progress better under his tutelage.

In April, I was able to practice getting up and down from a folding chair, which has no arms, by attending not only church, but the Temple, DUP, and the Riviera clubhouse for meetings and potlucks. I also had the opportunity to practice getting in and out of other types of cars, as I needed to call upon others to get me there. True went to Spokane for two weeks, and Linda’s work schedule didn’t always jibe with other things, so my transportation was supplied by others. I really appreciated my little portable handle that
fits into the passenger side of every type of vehicle and helps get me and my “Buddy” up and onto the seat, whether it be high or low. On the high ones, I really did have to struggle to get us up and in. okay.

Yes, I’m glad my angel, True, knows that she can leave me to go help someone else any time the need arises. She is so conscientious and worried about making sure that I have enough food to eat during the two weeks she would be gone, that she spent the entire day just before leaving to make and store individual servings of various foods that I can just warm up, as needed. She still takes care of me, even when she’s not here. I love her and certainly do appreciate that.

True went to Spokane to be with her granddaughter, Ella, while Cedar was involved in business classes elsewhere. Since True’s son, Clint, and his family live fairly close by, she was able to visit with them and to be with her other granddaughter, Aubriella, who is just over a year old and taking her first steps. That is always an exciting time for parents, and grandmas too, so I’m glad True was there to get in on that experience. She sent me a picture. I recall that I was visiting in Washington D,C. when LaDeane {now Cedar} took her first steps. It is a memorable time, all right.

Linda is also diligent in doing her part of my care by phoning to make appointments and getting me to them, taking care of prescriptions, medications and personal supplies, doing most of the outside chores, like driving and shopping, while still maintaining her own home and pets and two part-time jobs. All this, while suffering with a sharp, jabbing pain that came on her soon after True left. But she’s a ‘trooper’ and carries on without crying about it, like I do. Shame on me! 

Dan, even though far away, wanted to also be a vital part of my care-keeping, so offered to take on this monthly letter and get it on email for me and to be a financial helper when needed. What great kids!!! Yes, I am well taken care of by my children and I love them deeply, individually and together, though I don’t let them know it by giving lots of hugs and kisses, like I probably should do. Dan and Cathy will be coming here in June, before leaving for their 2 year mission to Hawaii in July. We will be sure to play Tile Rummy with them, then.

Tile Rummy seems to be making friends with a few of my neighbors here in the park,as they come to visit and learn the game. Richard & Linda Jacobs, of space #1, liked it so much, they ordered one from Amazon that is a smaller travel size, so they can take it with them in their RV. They are new members of the Church and have offered me rides to church and other functions, but may not be available much during the summer, however, because they do like to travel. Another neighbor, Iris, is getting to be a pro at the game and has set up a special time each week to come and will bring Karen, another neighbor who wants to learn. There are only 4 game boards, so only 2 to 4 people can play at one time.

It’s too bad that my only accommodations are bar stools at the raised kitchen table. They are not very comfortable for long-term sitting, but people don’t seem to mind, as long as we are having fun. Rather than sit in my wheelchair, I use my walker and sit on a stool, too. That way, I can be at proper eye-level to entertain my guests. At first, I was afraid to try, thinking it might slip out from under me if I didn’t get on it just right. That is still true, and is why my therapist was surprised that I would even try. But I am always careful, making sure the stool is well under me before sitting down. And then, turning slowly if I need to get into a better position. Now, like conquering the folding chair problem, this is getting easier each time I try.

When True got home from Spokane, I found out that during her time there, her son, Clint, had been commissioned by Cedar to build a large enclosure, called a chicken run, to protect her chickens and little chicks from coyotes and hawks. He was glad for the extra help that True and Lindsey (Clint’s wife) offered, because it turned out to be more of a building project than anyone anticipated, and even with Clint’s craftsman skills, he was injured several times before it was completed. Everyone was glad to have been able to work alongside him, but were completely worn out by the time Cedar returned and True left. Cedar jumped in and the project was soon finished. All in all, this trip was quite an experience for True, but she was glad to have helped. Then, on her way home she stopped in Portland to visit her other son, Denver, recovering from surgery, and a dear friend, Kathi, but was really happy to be back home again. And so was I.

True said that Kathi and her husband would be coming soon to Grants Pass just for me to teach them the, now famous, Tile Rummy game! Great! I still feel badly that we don’t have better seating, but our dining room set was removed in order to put my bed there. Yes, my girls made that space, with its cupboards, drawers, and display areas, into a nice place for my adjustable bed and personal belongings. The fine, white netting that is hung from the ceiling and surrounds the upper portion of the bed, making me feel like the Queen of Sheba, is what separates my bedroom from the living room area. With the several large windows of both rooms facing north towards the river, along with sills lined with beautifully colored orchids, makes that part of our mobile extra bright and lovely, and leads people to exclaim, “My, how light and airy your home is!” I have certainly been blessed to have two such wonderful daughters who were able to put in so many loving hours of hard work in order to provide me with such a wonderful place in which to spend my declining years. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for them, and for the kindness of others, as well. And ask for His blessings to be with you that you may feel God’s love guiding your life.

Now, before ending this letter, I’d like to draw attention to, and honor the fact that my sister, Carol, has today, April 30th, just completed her first year of marriage to Morris Whitaker, and I, along with all of you, I’m sure, would like to wish them a very “Happy 1st Anniversary,” with many more to come. Remember, when I told you how surprised I was to see them, at 85 and 82, do a fantastic rendition of a Jitterbug dance at their wedding reception? Well, it’s been a year. So, Happy Anniversary! my dears.

Take care! I Love you! And all who receive my letter.

Marie {Ree}