20 December 2022
On November 20th, 2022 the Hermitage took “the” hit. The following week none of us felt like eating or drinking, bringing the “group” even further down a discouraging path of despair that we knew.
On November 25th we were taken to Urgent Care, by a great friend; multiple tests, liquids, etc., where we were told all tests came out perfect and our diagnosis was—we have “L O N G” covid. Since then many others have enlightened us on their experiences with this post covid disability, which experiences we have welcomed with an open mind, and embraced many of them. We did not experience some of the well-known symptoms; fever, runny nose, aches, pain, headaches, etc. We have basically experienced loss of appetite, shakes, some dizziness, lethargy, and basically debilitating energy. This has taken EVERYTHING out of ALL of us here at the Hermitage.
Employee tried to work; Monday went okay, for the most part, Tuesday and Wednesday, she only made it halfway, Thursday went fairly well and because it went SO well, we ALL thought we were passed this, ONLY to have Friday end up back at square one, and worse. Dignity Health came by the house, did a blood test, and various other evaluations. Everything was fine. They told us we just need to “rest” and lay low. EGADS!!! Employee is out until January of 2023. Frustrated, especially since grades were due on the 16th of December and it turned out that she is the only one who could run the grades report. She continually checked the grades on the 15th and 16th, reporting on the posting process, which was completed a little after 3PM, and we were SO thankful.
Writer has been trying to journal; handwriting is shaky and the shaky hands hit double on the keyboard, making a red squiggly line under everything. She is VERY frustrated by all of this. She looks at her handwriting, which used to bring “A’s” in penmanship, and wonders how or IF Calligrapher will ever be able to do that again? Please excuse anything you may spot.
The following is in no particular order. Writer has jotted notes as they have come to her.
Patient has NO patience for this. She, as well as the rest of us here, are frustrated, weary, yet have found GREAT compassion and love for others who deal with health issues on a daily basis, month after month, year after year. We honor you, and Disciple has included you even more in her prayers. We can’t imagine what you are dealing with. May God bless you. Patient is going to work with the rest of us in helping us get our strength back and getting us all back in working order.
In order to rest, you basically do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. This has proven quite difficult for most ALL of us in the Hermitage, as most of us are usually quite active. So, Movie Buff took over, for the most part. We don’t always agree with what she picks, but none of us have much fight in us at this time, so…She has had us watching 7 seasons of Good Witch—SEVERAL times over, old/new movies, squirrel obstacle courses 1.0 and 2.0, some new movies, Christmas movies, Christmas devotionals, and of course Music and the Spoken Word programs and specials. We’ve also watched some ancient ruin documentaries, scripture programs, and when on YouTube, whatever comes up next.
Reader read two books one weekend-The Christmas Box Miracle: My Spiritual Journey of Destiny, Healing and Hope. We ALL felt she was inspired to read this at this time. She’s had it for years, but picked NOW to read it. God's timing is incredible. She also read The Letter. Both old books and both written by R. P. Evans. She was challenged to read Jesus the Christ by Talmadge a few weeks ago, and while she started it decades ago, and never got far, she is on chapter 9. This is NOT an easy read, and with the somewhat “foggy” brain from this post-covid, she is struggling, but keeps on truckin’.
As we have been convalescing, we have been abundantly blessed. Queen’s daughters have brought food, company, electrolytes, treatments, etc. They have been consoling and have blessed us all in many ways. They sat in the ER waiting room for hours. Queen’s sons have supplied moral support and inspirational advice. The oldest came over and watered plants for Gardener. We have had well wishes in the form of text messages, emails, phone calls, messages on Facebook and neighbors have come over to bring things, check on us and see if we need anything. Fresh homemade chicken noodle soup was also provided. To say we have been blessed is an understatement. Tears have flowed freely as love has been shown so overwhelmingly. Compassion, concern, love, blessings have come from family (my own and Church family), friends, neighbors, coworkers, and many others. Thankful is not enough to express feelings. Each came at an apropos time…Gods time.
One of the things we were told by two AMAZING nurses at the ER, was to sit in the sun for half an hour every day. So, being the overachievers we are, every morning we sit out front in our fuzzy pj’s and robe for an hour or two, between 9:30 and noon. This has proven beneficial in many ways. We’ve visited with many neighbors on our cul-de-sac, as well as neighbors who walk our street from other streets in the “Estates.” This has been extra special for Board Member. Yes, we have a “new” person in the Hermitage, she is a new HOA Board Member; she has met people who live in other parts of the Estates, who walk their dogs, ride their bikes, drive or just walk by, and she runs some things by them, which the board is considering. One neighbor stopped and prayed for us, and told us about “grounding”, which we have heard of. Probably in one of Movie Buff’s YouTube assorted shows. So, each morning as we sun ourselves outside in the 39º- 45º weather, NOW we remove our slippers and socks and put our feet in the grass, and “ground” ourselves with mother earth. Many of these encounters proved to be God's timing.
As we sat outside last week, one of the many delivery people who bring packages to our homes, dropped one off here. It was from Queen’s brother in Texas. An unexpected bottle of a debated “medicine” he thought we could try. God's timing. We have been intrigued, and have considered, all of the suggested “remedies”, ideas, and thoughts from others. Another neighbor brought a cup of rice atole last week and pineapple atole tonight. We even tried cutting an onion in half and putting it on the nightstand. That was far too close, as our eyes were burning, so we moved it a little further away. Within half an hour it was back in the kitchen. WOW…powerful onion. We have found that our taste and smell has been overly enhanced by all of this. Spices and herbs are stronger as we eat and we can smell even more acutely than before.
We are grateful for all of the remedies, inspiration, prayers, thoughts, treats, blessings, well-wishing, and everything else.
Correspondent has had time to unsubscribe to a LOT of unnecessary emails we were getting on a daily basis.
We gained a greater appreciation for Gardener and Landscaper. As we sit in the yard, the smell of the roses, lavender, jasmine, rosemary, lemon thyme, alyssum, etc. fill the air as the breeze drifts by. Several times Birder has been excited by just how close the birds fly close to her. Hummingbirds have hovered within 18”, a mockingbird hopped almost as close, as did a yellow finch. The cat next door has finally allowed us to pet him and that was thrilling. We have found a new appreciation for a simple life and the simple things. We are thankful for a home, the comforts and conveniences of a home, yard, flowers, life, and health. Among many other things. The list is long and as we sit each morning, the list continues to grow. More of God's timing.
We pondered, and discussed, WHY in our youth we spend so much time working to buy “things”, which in our latter life we no longer want, need or care about? AND what are we going to do with all of it? Come over, there may be something you want. We thought about what is important in life, and what isn’t. What happens to it when everything is said and done? We pondered giving up all we do…and then when we felt better, regrouped. The conversations were varied, long, crazy, and weird.
Decorator, Shopper, Queen, Grandmomma, and the rest of us in the Hermitage are saddened by the lack of decorations, and spirit of NO Christmas in the domicile. This in NO way means we are seeking others to come over here and do things. Please do NOT take it that way. We are fine. Truly we are. There have been times in past years where this has happened for one reason or another, and we have survived. After all, “It came without ribbons: It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags! Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! “Maybe Christmas,” he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!” And it does. Disciple reminds us of this often. Christmas is something we carry all year. Jenny and Angelo brought over a dwarf evergreen the other day, which Gardener and Landscaper already know where they want to plant in the yard.
Chef misses cooking, although two days ago threw some things together and it came out amazing. We ALL hope she will remember how she threw it together. Baker thinks often of baking as this is when she usually does some heavy duty baking, but next year she will hopefully make up for it. Correspondent hasn’t been able to do Christmas cards…her hands are too shaky.
Then there were the daily/nightly “mind games” this illness brings. And it does bring them. The demons came out and messed with us, more often than we would have liked. Sometimes ALL night long, which were devastatingly LONG, and disturbing. Oh the thinking and overthinking. Things we “need” to do and “have” to do, and things we “want” to do. Long lists. Sleepless nights. Chef was over it one night and at 1:30AM was peeling potatoes for potato soup. The rest of us thought it sounded great, so we didn't protest or think it was crazy. Things would have been fine had she not put the crockpot on high. We did not have potato soup. But the demons were strong some nights. The voices would say, “You are dying. Just…and get it over with.” Movie Buff heard several times a line from a movie, “Bring out your dead!” And then the voice, “I’M NOT DEAD…YET!!!” The battles were heavy, but no casualties. With Disciples help, and our inner strength from angels on both sides of the veil, we fought the demons. We are NOT dead. We have a long way to go and while this has been one of our greater battles, we are winning. We will win. We have so many on our side in this battle and we are SO THANKFUL. God sent them. His timing is so specific. So perfect.
We are more than grateful for the testimony Disciple holds within her heart and spirit. She has carried us during this challenge. Her strength is stronger than any of us realized. As we’ve “rested” for the last month, many challenges, trials, and discouraging times, were revisited. We realized her great strength, and faith in God, and the Savior. Off and on we scrolled for a few minutes, our wall on Facebook to see what was going on. We read of others who are dealing with far worse than we are. Our compassion grew for others who are going through their individual trials and challenges. Through this, Disciple changed her thoughts and prayers. She is having more meaningful discussions with the powers above. We are intrigued with how God changes us. We were reminded by Queen's oldest, of many things, which we know to be true of Disciple. We have learned from her that all things happen for a reason, and all things have a purpose. We know all things happen according to God's timing. We know God loves us, and the Savior loves us. We know, and celebrate this time of year, the gift God gave to us…His Only Begotten Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.
We are SO THANKFUL AND SO BLESSED. Thank you for your messages, thoughts, prayers, remedies, and countless blessings. Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Love to all.
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