House Husband

I finally dug my car out and headed to Scottsburg to check in with Betty and Raymond. When I arrived Rayanne and Betty were in deep conversation about Rayanne’s ride home from college. Betty and Raymond had made chicken soup so we enjoyed the soup. Betty insisted they send some of the soup to shut ins in their neighborhood. Betty seems to enjoy mild flavored foods now. She planned the soup also for a cooking lesson for Raymond. When she awoke she wanted to get into her morning before they started, but Raymond was eager and started making the soup without her.
I needed to check in because on the phone I heard that Raymond was again shaking the rugs and I didn’t know what would happen if he didn’t remember to sweep the floor this time! Luckily he improved. Betty mentioned that Raymond was making a “nice house husband.” She was considering teaching him about doing laundry. Oh my! If you see them with pink everything you’ll know the lessons have started.
Betty has started quilting a little. She tried to sit with her quilting and did pretty well. At least she is able to attend to the task of quilting.
They are practicing getting out a little. They drove into town to view the lights and thought they might drive to a neighboring community for a view of their decorations. These are very, very short trips. Betty doesn’t want to experience the level of fatigue she encountered with the doctor’s visit. I never thought I’d hear Betty Boley talk about practicing going places. She has been super active her entire life.
I had an opportunity to talk with Dr. Martin’s assistant. She assured me that Dr. Martin is very frank with individuals who he can’t help. She is sure that he considers Betty a candidate who he may be able to help. We still are shaking our heads at the extreme highs and lows this story has taken. It feels good to be coasting for a little while.
As I left I asked them if I could post that visitors were welcome. Raymond replied, “We just can’t handle very much.” Call, send cards, and pray, pray, pray. I chuckled when Betty opened her cards and commented, “I’m beginning to feel bad about all the cards I am getting. Sometimes I can’t even get one sent and some people have sent one every week!” We talked about talents. Some people have the talent of keeping in touch. Some have the talent of nursing and care giving. Some are creative. Each talent adds to the richness of life. She shouldn’t feel badly when someone shares their talent with her. She has shared her talent with so many; she needs to just appreciate others sharing theirs.
I expect our Christmas celebration to be a very short celebration. We don’t want to tire her out before her doctor’s visit on Monday. We just want to watch the little ones open their presents so we have something to smile about for a few days. Raymond says, “That Abbagail is something!” I wonder if our grandparents though the same about us?
Merry Christmas Dear Friends,
The Boley Family