Bob and I just celebrated our 58th wedding anniversary.  He celebrates his eighty first birthday next week.  We wanted to get married on his birthday, but there was too much time to wait between my nursing graduation and his birthday for those that were coming from out of town for the two events.  Even if I know what I know now about how his life would end, I would do it all over again!  We had 50 wonderful years before Alzheimer's started stealing him away.  Our last overseas vacation together was a river cruise in France, and it was perfect.  It was so relaxing, and he was able to participate in most of the extra activities.  For a boy from Baltimore who had never been out of Maryland before we met, he has lived an extra full life.  I believe his motto, if he could express it now would be "Life's a journey, how you live is your adventure."  

I have also been on a journey since I last wrote.  I went with our daughter and her family on a trip to Washington state.  You may have seen it on Facebook.  I was born and raised in Washington state, and it was just like going home.  The people were so friendly, and the air was so crisp and clean with no humidity.  I have been back several times with Bob and thought he would be mesmerized by the beauty.  But he didn't see Mt. Rainier until our 3rd trip there, as every time it was covered with clouds.  But when he did see it, he admitted it was gorgeous!  This last trip was to hike in the National Parks in Washington state, as the Stricker family is trying to get to as many national parks as they can before their son Jaden leaves the nest.  I knew I couldn't do the rigorous hikes straight up the mountains like they were doing, so we would go to the visitor center in each park, they would choose their trail, and I would choose mine.  It was so wonderful to be out in the fresh air (and it didn't rain once while we were there) and I could just go at the pace I wanted, look at the profusion of wildflowers and just get away from everything.  For years, travel has been my therapy, but the virus had taken that away, and I knew I was wasting precious time to travel while I still physically could.  Even just planning a trip even if it is several months away is therapeutic for me!  I have something to look forward to!  So while I am very hesitant to travel overseas again, there are so many places in the US that I haven't seen, and so many I want to revisit.  But this trip was preplanned for me, so all I had to do was sit back and enjoy it!

When I got back I was anxious to see Bob again.  The cases of the Delta variant were ramping up and I was afraid things would start shutting down again.  I got to see him a few times, and then there was an exposure at Hillside Village where he is, from an employee.  So they closed to visitors for 2 weeks per Johnson County Health department guidelines until staff and residents tested negative twice.  But I couldn't bear the thought of not being able to see Bob again for an extended time at the end of his life, since we didn't know how long they would be closed.  So I appealed to the administration at Hillside and they were so wonderful to give me end of life compassionate care visits.  But I only went once a week on Saturdays when they were less busy.  I got to try to feed him lunches in his room,  but as been the pattern, usually he will take a few bites, and sometimes he will eat fairly well.  It just seems like his brain won't tell his mouth to open.  I am going to take birthday cake next week to see if that will awaken his sweet tooth.  I can still sneak M&Ms in through his lips!  He is still taking thickened liquids (so he won't choke) in a glass, and they are giving him a high protein drink, so evidently that is what is keeping him alive, plus his reserves, which are dwindling.  I was so happy to be with him on our anniversary, and whether he knows me or not, he sure has a tight grip on my hand!  But he does that with others as well.  He did purse his lips last week like he wanted to kiss me and he leaned over, but of course I had the darn mask on!  If you remembered me saying he exercised like a fiend, so his heart and lungs are still strong.

So, I challenge you to live your life so you will have no regrets when you come to the end of your journey.  None of us knows what lies ahead.  I could not have imagined this scenario for us.                    "Someday you will die and leave this earth behind.  But on all the other days you won't.  So live them.  Live them like the priceless gift they are.  Live each new today with eyes wide open.  See the beauty.  Focus on the good.  Feel the sun, snow, wind, rain, and elements of your planet on your skin.  Walk your feet upon earth's ground.  Star gaze.  Climb trees.  Go for drives.  Look at other peoples homes and say to yourself, 'There are people living their lives in there.'  Be aware that every person in humanity is going through their own thing.  Be thankful.  See your blessings, not only your problems.  Life is too precious to live any other way."  Sheri Eckert       

Until we meet again,                                                                                                                                       Betty