Grandma Ree's letters

  Dear family and friends,        December is a very special month when our hearts are full of love for God and His Son, and for our family and friends. An extra amount of joy and happiness is also enjoyed in the many festivities and celebrations at this time of year. It just so happens that on the very first day of this wonderful month, I became 95 years old, which is quite a milestone to some people, but evidently not to my own family, because I had not heard a word about any plans for the day. On the day before my birthday, Nov. 30th, True ordered me to stay out of the kitchen while she made and decorated a cake for me, and Linda asked if I’d like to eat out at my favorite Mexican restaurant. So that was all I was expecting. But unbeknownst to me, my girls, True and Linda, and Dan’s wife Cathy had been making plans for a surprise birthday party, and they made ...

  Dear family and friends,  The month of November has come and gone leaving a few items of note to share. First and foremost was perhaps the fact that I spent a full week in bed during the month. I thought it was only a cold, but True immediately put me to bed and confined me to that one spot, even had us wear masks just in case it might be something more. She was concerned for my sake and for herself too, because after her own recent bout with COVID, her immune system was not yet up to par, and she couldn’t afford to get sick. I didn’t feel too bad, but I did see my doctor. And luckily, that’s all it was - just a cold with a bad cough, and lots of phlegm. But with rest and medicine that was soon gone. I was sorry to miss church, my DUP meeting and my regular hair appointment, but I’m so appreciative of True’s quick response that caught it early, so I only missed one week’s activities. Just before this happened, I had another strange experience. One night, shortly before bedti...

Dear Family and Friends, Looking back over the month of October, there are a few things I’d like to share with you. First and foremost, is the fact that I was informed that there will be no more physical therapy treatments. I guess they figure I have “graduated,“ and they have taught me all they can, so now it’s up to me to continue doing at home all the things I’ve done with them at the clinic. That’s easy to say, but without their guidance, I tend to fall back into my old ways and find it tough to be completely on my own now. But I’ll survive, with my Heavenly Father’s help and my own determination! I had them teach me how to arise from a folding chair, which is much more difficult because there are no armrests to use in helping me get up. I continued to practice because I have wanted to go to church without using my big, heavy wheelchair. But since only folding chairs are supplied, I was never able to do so, until now! On Sunday, the 16th of October, I took the challenge, and also t...

 Dear Family and Friends,  The month of September began with a large, seemingly uncontrollable forest fire that was fairly close to us. Called the Rum Creek Fire, it was ignited by lightning that hit several places on Aug. 20th. Others were extinguished quickly, but this one was in such a remote location on the mountain range directly behind, or to the west of us, and the surrounding terrain was so rugged, that firefighters were unable to get to it.  When strong winds came and carried sparks and embers to other places, it soon became a violent fire that was now approaching the more populated areas. So, more men and helicopters and planes were brought in from all over the country to help control this monster that was creeping closer and closer to our foothill homes and small communities. People were being told to prepare to evacuate at a moment’s notice, as it continued forward, crossing the river into even closer areas. It was really getting scary!  Here at the Park,...

Dear Family and Friends,     I must say that August was a rather busy month for me and my household. After True made up some meals for me, and left specific instructions about watering and caring for the plants during an anticipated heat wave, she left on July 19th to meet her daughter Cedar in Spokane to begin their long-anticipated hike of the last part of the Pacific Coast Trail, expecting to return around Aug 19th. I was to be on my own for a full month, which was OK with me. I kind of like being on my own once in a while, just to see how much I am progressing, and if I am fully capable of doing everything by myself. True had arranged for Linda to get ice cubes from the fridge to give the orchids and other indoor plants a drink of water twice a week. And with the extremely hot weather coming up, the outside plants had to be watered every other day, but she was unsure how it could be done.      That's when I spoke up and said I could move along in my mobile c...

     The month of July literally started off with a BANG! As I was able to observe, from the rooftop of a six-story apartment building overlooking the Willamette River in Portland, the fireworks being shot off with a loud bang skyward from a barge floating on the river. It was a fantastic sight from that vantage point, and I “oohed and aahed” over each one as they burst very near us. How was I, who has not been out of my own surroundings for over two years, witness such a sight, you may ask? Because True invited me (wheelchair and all) to accompany her as she promised to "house-sit and dog-sit" the 4th of July weekend for her friend Kathi in Portland. I was very hesitant to stay overnight anywhere other than my own home, but True kept urging me to give it a try; to have the experience of my first outing. It would be a great challenge, but she would be there to help me. So, I soon became excited to try it.      We enjoyed Kathi’s lovely home and garden, but ...