An Overdue Update…
January 16, 2008 | Updates
Sorry for the lack of updates. Things have been more hectic than usual. Christmas was nice. I guess that’s one of the holidays that is a little hard for me, though. We spent Christmas Eve in a nearby nursing home visiting many elderly and some handicapped residents who where alone that night. It always deeply affects me to spend time in that setting. They are such wonderful people. Most of them were just like you and I in their prime and now they are at a point in their lives where they just can’t care for themselves. Some of them have always been unable to care for themselves and maybe have spent their whole lives in such a place or have been placed there at this point in their lives because there is no one able to care for them. Mind you, I don’t judge anyone for placing their loved ones in such a place. There is no way for me to know their circumstance and someday, I may be in such a circumstance or those caring for me may be. But they are so understaffed there and it breaks my heart. There was one point in the evening where I was sitting next to Tanner and quietly said, “If Samuel doesn’t ever get well enough to take care of himelf and I get too old to be able to do it, he is yours. You need to care for him. Please do it if you can.” He just quietly knodded his head and I knew that in our current setting, he understood. In the end, I guess…well, I guess I just can’t explain it. It just affects me deeply.
Christmas made me thankful for all that I have and to be able to have Samuel with us. I won’t deny that it is hard wondering if he knows what is going on and helping him open presents that he should be ripping open himself. But I try to ignore that and just be thankful for all the joy that does come with the day. I think the hardest thing is that I really don’t have anything to say when people ask me how Samuel was at Christmas. To him, I think it’s just another day. And no matter how hard I look, it is SO HARD to find him gifts that he can really enjoy. But I think we did alright.
On a lighter note, we were able to spend New Year’s Eve with family like we used to do every year. It was nice to be even closer to “normal” than we were a year ago. And a few days later, we made the trip to Salt Lake to get Samuel’s g-tube switched out for a button. I’ve noticed that Samuel can tell when we are in a hospital or doctor’s office and he gets uptight pretty quickly. This time was no different and we ended up waiting for the doctor for nearly 2 hours, which didn’t help. In the end, though, it was pretty quick and not as bad as I thought. (I don’t know if Samuel would agree with that, though!) So, we now have an official button and it’s really nice, I have to admit.
Otherwise, we’ve just been trying to get back into the groove of things. We went through a bout with the flu the week school started back up. Tom, Ben and Samuel got it. The rest of us missed it. It was pretty nasty and lasted about a week for each of them. And I’m now working several hours a day out at Tom’s business helping replace some people who moved onto other things. On top of that, I have one of my boys struggling in school and Sunday, the transmission in my Suburban went out. It only has 41,000 miles on it. So that makes it really difficult for me to haul the kids around and impossible for us to go anywhere together as a family. Thus, things have been hectic.
But we did have one big event that last few weeks and that was Ben’s baptism. It went really well and I think he really enjoyed the day. I know I did.
So, I guess I’ll leave you with that for now. I’ve had a few experiences I’d like to post about like the nice man I met in the parking lot the other day and the lesson I learned from him or the way I love watching sweet little Samuel sleep and why or the appointment we had at the GI clinic a week ago or some of the things I learned from an 8 year old boy on his baptism day and a few other things. But, honestly, I’m busy and you probably are, too. So, maybe another day. In the meantime, I hope you had a great holiday season and I hope you’re having a fun new year. And I hope you’ll continue to pray with us for Samuel’s Miracle to continue during 2008!
Love,
The Jewkes
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January 16th, 2008 at 11:10 am, Natalie Says:
Hey, Teresa. It was so good to hear an update. It sounds like you are super busy so you get an extra high-five for taking the time to update us nosy folks! Every time I read one of your posts, I just empathize with you so much and just really love and admire you for all that you do everyday. You are one tough cookie! I freak out if I have to do anything besides my ‘motherly duties’ and here you are working on top of everything else! My hero, for sure.
I totally hear ya on the nursing home thing. At one point in the hospital with Brea, they asked us if we would be ‘placing’ her or taking her home. I just couldn’t fathom the idea of leaving her in the care of someone else–ever. It is ever so hard to take care of a kid with medical needs, therapies, extra attention but I would never trade it. I just think kids need to be in the home where they feel loved and part of a family. I agree that some people have different circumstances but for us that is just not an option. Anyway, can’t wait to hear all of the other things you mentioned. HOpe you get some down time soon! Love ya and miss ya.
Nat
January 16th, 2008 at 4:37 pm, Caradie & Corbin Says:
Teresa,
You are a beautiful women. Inside & out. Samuel & all your family are so lucky to have you!!!!!
Love Caradie & Corb