Nana Lights the Advent Wreath Candle

Sharon is in charge of The Advent Wreath program at St John's United Methodist Church where Nana is a member.  Before her last fall, Sharon had asked Nana if she would go up to the front of the church with her on December 2nd,  the first Sunday of Advent  and together they could light the first candle on the Advent Wreath.  Surprisingly, Nana not only said yes, but was very excited about doing it.  When Nana fell on the Thursday before that Sunday, Sharon thought Nana would change her mind about going.  However, by Friday, Nana decided she was recovered enough to still go to church and participate in the program.

 Following is Sharon's account that I received via text message:
Nana had a big day at church.  She was welcomed by many people and she gave Pastor Mike her latest story that she wrote.  We sat with Gracie and Gracie held the hymn book with her.  I asked Pastor Mike for the paper to read while lighting the candle.  He brought it over and I immediately went to work assigning Nana the middle part to read and told her to read slowly and loudly.  We went over it a couple of quick times in our seat.  We thought it would be after the collection, but he had no sooner said "Good Morning" from the pulpit and then he announced the lighting of the advent candle.  We were surprised but took the paper and headed up.  Billy went up also and helped Nana get there.  Then he sat down on the front pew and took pictures.  We actually lit the candle together and everyone clapped.  It was really touching.  Nana was so proud.  And, as she walked up, Pastor Mike said to the congregation that Deanie was really nicely dressed in the colors of the advent candles - pink and purple.   (So you did a good job of getting her dressed this morning.)

 That whole thing made it worth while for me to have that position for a few years even though it is a pain.  And as he announced who was lighting the candle , he said, "and Deanie is fortunate to be here because she had a bad fall this week and is badly bruised." She got lots of much deserved attention.  Also this would be great on your Nana blog.  I told the people today that Nana has gone to this church since she was a little girl and just wanted to light the Advent Candle once.  Actually, you know, she was born right near the church in the log cabin that was in Tenner Moore's front yard.  I am sure she would have walked to Sunday School. To actually light the candle, I lit the match and wrapped my hand around hers, with the match in her and my fingers.  Of course, right up front she said, "Oh, you are going to burn my finger."  I said, "No, I am not."  But then it did not light at first, so it really did come close to burning both our fingers as I held it long enought to get the flame.  After church I made a fast trip to Wendy's on the way home.  We ate hamburgers in the car and when I got her home I fixed the baked potato and coffee for her on her table at home.  I put 2 Frosties in the freezer, but I'm sure they will not be there long.

I think Sharon's text describes the events perfectly.  I'm really proud of Nana for having the courage to go in front of the church and read and be part of the program.  Sharon has asked a number of people from the church to do the reading and light the Advent Candle for the other weeks, and many people turn her down saying, "Oh, I don't like to get up in front of people."  After seeing Nana, 89 years old,  bruised and making an effort to walk, I don't think as many people will say "No" to Sharon now.

Thanks Sharon - it was a good day for Nana and we are grateful for every good day.

      Church Bulletin from Nana's Advent Wreath Sunday, December 2, 2012

 

 

Another Fall

On Friday morning, November 29th I got a call from Sharon that Nana had fallen again.  She pushed her Lifeline button - thank goodness!  The ambulance was called and Lifeline called Sharon.  When Sharon called me it was before 8am.  I always call Nana about 7:55am each morning so when I saw Sharon's phone id, my heart sank.  Sharon went to the Emergency Room and sat with Nana while they did Xrays and tests and scans. 

While Sharon waited, I packed and started the six hour plus drive to PA.  I didn't know if anything was broken - could we dodge the bullet two times?  But I knew that no matter what, Nana would need some help and she likes "her girls" close in times of crisis. 

The results took hours and it wasn't until after 1pm that Sharon got the word that there was no fractures.  Another miracle!  Again I thank God and her daily routine of Shaklee and her meds. She was allowed to leave the hospital when she was able to take a walker about 30 feet down the hall.  Nana was ready to go home.  In fact, before the test results were in, she had already gotten tired of waiting.  She sat on the edge of her bed and said, "I'm leaving."  Patience is not one of her virtues.  When it was time for the walker test, Nana practically ran down the hall with that walker.  She had not been allowed any food or drink in case there was a fracture and surgery was needed.  Now she was hungry.  All she had on was her nightgown, so Sharon got a coat from the car and off they went to Wendy's for a hamburger.  Since Nana couldn't go in, Sharon prepared their "car picnic" and Nana devoured her meal.  Nana doesn't eat much, but she needs to eat often and when she is hungry, don't get in her way!  Thank you, thank you Sharon for all you did that day. 

Nana has some good neighbors who helped us that day.  Chuck heard the ambulance call on the scanner and called up to her.  Because he didn't know if she was dresssed, he sent another neighbor, Fay up to check on her.  Fay put a pillow under her head and helped her put her teeth in before the ambulance arrived.  We're so grateful for both of them helping. 

Wayne checked on her apartment after the ambulance left and it was so good to have him there.  Jeff  came on his lunch to talk to Nana at the ER and be with Sharon for a while.  Nana truly has a lot of people who care about her.

Nana fell hard on her butt, which is all black and blue.  She hit her head and cut her elbow.  It could have been much worse and I'm so glad we had the Lifeline button for her to push.  I hope there are no more falls but it's good to know the system works.

None of us know when it will be our last day, but at 89 years old, Nana is aware that this is her twilight.  Events like this fall remind me that every phone call, every visit and every holiday with Nana is precious and I treasure them. 

Nana's Thanksgiving 2012

This year Lori wanted to make a new tradition for Thanksgiving by going to Fry Brothers Turkey Ranch for Thanksgiving Day, hoping that Nana would enjoy going out and being with the boys.  Where better for a Thanksgiving dinner than a turkey ranch?  I was excited about the idea because Jan and I decided to make a trip to PA so we could be part of the new tradition.
 
I admit to being a little apprehensive about Nana in that situation.  It was a new restaurant to her and it was a longer drive than hopping up to May's Diner each morning.  But May's is not open on Thanksgiving Day and I know Nana wanted to please Lori.  Since Lori had been planning this since the summer, Nana had lots of time to prepare.  She had a great idea - she would get  Christmas gifts for the boys and give to them at the restaurant to help keep them occupied.  In Sepember, we shopped for just the right gift.  She wanted them to have small cars as she knows Ollie and Sidney love anything with wheels.  Plus, she insisted they be almost alike because her thought was that they might fight if they were different.  This insight came from raising four of her own kids, who fought, and helping to raise Lori and Jeff, who also fought.  I knew she was right.  She chose 2 packs of miniature cars. I wrapped them for her and now she was ready.

On Thanksgiving Day, Jan and I drove Nana to the restaurant.  After we crossed the mountain and headed up Rt. 15 north of Williamsport, she was in new territory.  That stretch of highway is wooded with the road sliced into the mountains. A month earlier, the scenery would have been awash with reds and yellows and oranges from the fall leaves.  On this trip, the trees were bare, but Nana was still in awe of the drive.

When we reached the restaurant, the parking lot was packed.  Thankfully, Jan found a parking spot close to the door.   Because we had reservations we were seated immediately - good for Nana who can't stand for very long, plus she was still hurting some from her fall.  Next challenge was what would Nana order to eat?  She settled on a hamburg, coffee and banana cream pie for dessert.  After we ordered, Nana gave the boys their cars.  What a hit!  They loved them and ran them on the table and also entertained the diners behind us, running them across the ledge while wearing the turkey hats Lori had made them. So cute.
 
There were ten of us - Sharon and Ron, Jeff, Lori and Nate, Ollie and Sid, Nana and Jan and I.  The food was good and lots of it.  Nana's hamburg was too hard for her to eat so she had a half a roll, coffee and the banana cream pie, which was her favorite. The boys loved the rainbow sherbert but were more interested in playing with their cars from Nana.  Nana was so happy watching them enjoy her gift.

When we left the restaurant, Nana again remarked on the drive through the mountains.  Who knew that would be one of the top attractions of this day for her?  It's a good new tradition and I hope we can all go again next year. 

The next day all of us, except Ron, met again at Nana's favorite hangout - May's Diner.  More fun with Ollie and Sid and their cars and trucks.  Thanks Lori for making all this happen.  Looking forward to next Thanksgiving!

Nana and Lori at Fry's Turkey Ranch Nov 2012

 

 

Ollie and Sid wearing turkey hats and

playing with Nana's gift of cars at

Fry's Turkey Ranch Nov 2012

 

 

Nana and Lori with Ollie and Sid at May's Diner

November 2012