Living without Bob and "Al"

Sheri is having a hard time accepting that it has been a year today since Bob and Al became one again, rejoicing with Lord. She is sure he is singing in the heavenly choir.
Sheri needs to pause, praise and pray.

Sheri is trying to learn to that it is okay to share the gifts God has given her. She had her photos/canvas display Open House at the coffee shop over the weekend. Sheri knows she would have never pursed photography had she not been so lonely and struggling so hard to find something she could do with Bob and "Al". God always has a plan... whether we know it or not.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Pause, praise and pray. Pause praise and pray. Pause, praise and pray....

Living with Bob and "Al"

Other than immediate family, Sheri does not really like taking pictures of people. You see Gods beauty in nature is real and pure. People on the other hand, can pose and smile even when there is a dismantled heart at the other end. 

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri spent some time visiting with Bob and "Al" on Easter Sunday. March is always a rough month for Sheri. Their wedding anniversary, Bobs birthday, and now his only brother (whom he loved dearly) passed away in March as well. Sheri is trying to embrace that April is the time of rebirth and to live in the moment. Things have really changed in Bob's abilities, so remembering to capture, and be grateful for what moments she can, has become paramount.
Sheri is going to continue to pause, praise and pray.  

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri has been searching for a part of her herself she felt was lost. The part where the Holy Spirit holds her, leads her, comforts her and gives her the strength to be brave and courageous in the short life given to us. She knows the Holy Spirit was with her guiding the time she spent caring for Bob and "Al" but some how she forgot to follow the prompting to care for herself. Today is a new day by the grace of God.
Sheri will pause, praise and pray.

Living with Bob and "Al"

It is a new day, Sheri is going to make the most of it.

Matthew 6:34New International Version (NIV) 

³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri has some catching up to do on health stuff. Tackled part one of the dentist last evening. One down... so many more to go :(

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is feeling a bit overwhelmed. She is understanding now, the new challenges and changes from direct caregiver to advocate. Each of these stages brings its new feelings of anxiety and stress. Sheri does realize however, that she is fortunate to live in a country where there is a place "the boys" can live safely, and give Sheri the relief of not doing the physical caring for "Al". Sheri needs to pause, praise and pray.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri took some much needed time yesterday, to meet with God in the way she connects best. Sir Cooper was still sleepy so she put him in the kennel and grabbed her camera and went out right after the sun came up. She walked around her favorite park and tried to breathe deeply. She put her earbuds in , her hymns on Pandora , and prayed.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri brought Bob's cloth napkins in to "work" for him to fold. She asked him to help her with the new project and "Al" was eager  to get started "Al" began separating and folding right away, and Sheri could tell he was pleased. Unfortunately, Sheri did not notice the aids were setting the table for dinner, but Bob did... and "Al" began collecting all the cloth napkins off of the tables to add to his pile :)
Heavy sigh...

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri went to visit Bob and "Al" yesterday. They were leaving on their usual walk when "Al" asked if he could bring the cat. Sheri said  "sure, why not." They were strolling around the lobby when a sweet lady in a wheel chair stopped them and said "They don't allow cats in here." motioning toward the door. Sheri said "oh they don't?" The lady replied "no they can visit but we can't have them... but everybody wishes they could have one." Sheri said "oh I'm sorry." They walked away and boss Bob leaned over to Sheri and whispered "I am gong to have to talk to someone about that, they can't let only ME have a cat."
Sweet man.

Living with Bob aand "Al"

Sheri received an early morning call from the triage nurse at Bob's new work location, and of course she panicked. The nurse quickly reassured her that it was not an emergency but they had found "Al" on the floor in the hallway... coloring. They were not sure how he got there if he had fallen or not but they checked him out and his vitals were fine. Sheri was relieved and kind of chuckled to herself imagining 6'4 Bob on the floor coloring. Since "Al" has been coloring all over the place Sheri could not really think of anything else to ask other than "Well...was he at least using a coloring book?" The nurse chuckle back "Yes, he was using the coloring book." :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is trying to remember this new living arrangement is best for everyone. She is certain it is best for Bob and "Al", but since meeting his daily needs was the only thing left of their marriage (which honestly was a struggle for may years prior to Bob's diagnosis, like many other marriages they had grown apart over the years) Sheri is having a hard time understanding her role now. She knows it will take time but at the moment time is standing still.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri has a dear friend that has the sweetest small dog. It took "Al" a little bit to warm up to Jack but when he did he enjoyed him immensely. Sheri had to laugh as "Al" was gazing over the arm of his chair to investigate the power strip on the floor, she could tell Jack was just as curious and was sure that if Sheri had a "Jack" in her house... "the boys" and the dog would be partners in crime :)

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri is very touched by the outpouring of prays and support. Unfortunately the roller coaster ride of emotions will continue for a while regarding a placement location as the place she had chosen can not provide a shared male room that would be covered by the Elderly Waiver Program, for which Bob is a part of. The other option being to pay  between $500 and $1300 out of pocket over and above Bob's social security. This not feasible. So Sheri will continue to put one foot in front of the other until she can make a new plan.  Sheri does not want to take advantage of all your prayer time, and she did mumble and grumble to God a few times yesterday...but she would not quite call it being on speaking terms yet. So please continue to pray as you see fit.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri has a meeting today, about a potential placement location. She feels like she is in a fog ... a dense, heavy, thick fog. Her chest is tight with the thickness of her fear and she cannot breathe.
Somebody please  pause, praise and pray because Sheri is angry and not on speaking terms with God at the moment.

Living with Bob and "Al"

Sheri needs a note to self.  "Al's" crayons in Bob's shirt pocket, are not a good mix with the washer and dryer :(
eek.

Living with Bob and "Al"

In Sheri's never ending quest to find things to keep "Al" active and engaged , she tried the magnetic letters daughter number 1 got him. "Al's" however, has his own idea of fun. Heavy sigh....

Living with Bob and "Al"

About 45 minutes after yesterdays video, "Al" was back to putting Bob's building blocks into Bob's mouth and his frustration was high. Sheri hates this disease.