21,000 troops...

My heart sunk and tears flowed when I read that on the headlines this morning. Disbelief and sadness. How can this be?

I had a very different post planned for today but this took my attention. Yet, I don't seem to be able to muster up the political response because I am in such a disheartened mood.

It has already been an interesting week. I went up to L.A.on Sunday (unexpectedly) as my Mother was not doing well. It had been over three weeks and they still had not delivered her portable oxygen. She was sounding worse and I knew I needed to be up there to make some calls. I made all the appropriate phone calls to break through the logjam and they were to be out later this week to deliver the oxygen unit.

While there, I began the process of clearing out things in her apartment where she has lived since 1991. She and I had a heart-to-heart talk that it was becoming clear she was getting to the point of not being able to take care of herself and we needed to look towards her moving in the next 3-6 months. I spent hours shredding old documents and files back to 1989. Very cathartic in a way and also humbling.

It is humbling to see one's parent in such a feeble state to begin with; and then to be pouring over her files and artifacts and such. I found a letter I sent her in 1993 that she kept (well, it was a sweet letter of adoration for her); lots of my stage reveiws and clippings; her work resume, a $.06 buffalo stamp, etc. I cleaned out a cabinet with outdated medicines and sundries. At least while I was there, I knew she was getting food, water and attention--which she loved. She tried to convince me to stay the week but knowing she would be getting her oxygen soon, I had business appointments back here in San Diego and decided to come home.

It amused me to see what behaviorial traits my mother and I have in common. I have been living away from home for over 40 years and yet, there are more than family physical resemblances. Vocal inflections, habits, and what-not that I must have adopted at a very early age despite my own growth and journey. I am my mother's daughter in many ways.

I would now advocate that the next important step in Pastoral Care for churches would be to beef up their Senior programs and programs for people who are disabled or shut-in. While up in L.A. I took my 83 year old aunt to the DMV to get her California ID card renewed because she does not drive, is now blind in one eye and could no longer get her state checks cashed because her ID had expired. It was no small feat getting her there and processing the paperwork. We Baby Boomers are facing this challenge in increasing numbers and with the demise of 'the community' we are less than skilled to handle these geriatric changes. Bless the internet for the resources available for initial research. And in my case, blessed are the pray-ers who are supporting me through this. Thank you.

My prayers go to the service men and women and their families who are facing a new year facing war.

Do something loving and peaceful today.

InLight.
RDD