Milestones

Twenty years ago today, we became first time homeowners (talk about your fixer-upper). But, I love this old house. Always have. I've joked to my family that when I die, they can bury me in the backyard.

We had a snow day today; no school. So, I've had the time to be a little nostalgic. These sentimental feelings actually started on Saturday when the appliance delivery guys rolled our old 25 1/2 year old frig out the door to make room for the new one. I was 23 years old when the old one was purchased new. That is more than one-half-of-my-life ago. I tried hard not to cry over an old refrigerator. I was fairly successful.

When we bought this house, Jay was 6 years old; Ashley was 4. Ethan wasn't born until 4 years later. Twenty years holds more memories than I could count. I think, somewhere along the way, there might have been some really hard and difficult times. But, today, right now, all I can remember are the many, many blessings we've received during the 20 years at 14 North Street.

We've done a lot to the house. Mike says we've bought over 400 gallons of paint since we bought the place. That number is probably low. There is so much more that we'd like to do. Many rooms are in need of a re-do, while there are lots and lots of things we've never even finished. Oh, the joys of owning your own home. How sweet it is and you know, it is true........there's no place like home!

A Sad Farewell

My father-in-law passed away on Saturday, January 19. After his final dialysis on January 7, we were told he would probably live 3 days to 3 weeks. It was 12 days.



Don had been on dialysis for 6 years. He had a major heart attack 4 years ago, followed by several mini-strokes. He was such a physically strong man, very athletic. Yet, he had smoked cigarettes all of his adult life.



In 1994, doctors found an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This was major surgery but he went through it with flying colors. The aneurysm had damaged one of his kidneys, which was how they found the problem to start with. Four years later, they found another AAA almost in the exact location as the first one.



I feel quite sure that his being in such good shape to start with is how and why Don lasted as long as he did. His wife took excellent, excellent care of him. She had a long list of every medication he as taking, carried a list of every procedure and the date of each one that he had endured, and took him 25 miles one way to dialysis 3 xs each week for 3 1/2 years. It has been a long and difficult journey for both of them. They would have celebrated their 53rd anniversary on March 26.

This was the first parent either of us have lost; the first grandparent for our children. I was so touched by the strength that our kids expressed to their dad during this time. They surrounded him with their love and compassion. That meant more to him than they will ever know.

Don accepted Christ as his Savior about 2 years ago. We are so thankful for the Lord's wonderful love and mercy.