BOB & ME ~ THEN ‘n NOW

Today, last year, Bob & I were in OHSU’s ICU/ER Ward hoping for the best, praying for another miracle, and resigned to accepting Elohim’s Will – whatever the outcome.

I had been working on a second knitted striped baby blanket I designed (I had finished the red & white one I started in November, at Peace Health hospital), when I heard music in the hallway … so I went out in the hallway to see what was going on, and was pleasantly surprised to see a mini band from the Oregon Symphony set up practically outside our doorway, and playing Christmas music :-D Such a beautiful sound! Bob told me that he had watched them pass the open doorway – normally the doorways are closed, but Bob didn’t like his doors closed, so the hospital staff allowed his doors to remain open always; we were thankful:

MOD Striped Baby Blanket I worked on while I sat with Bob in ICU/ER Ward at OHSU in Oregon.

MOD Candy Cane Baby Blanket for the holidays. Started Nov. 16^th at Peace Health, our local hospital.

The Oregon Symphony played 3 sets of Christmas music in OHSU’s ICU/ER Ward. Very beautiful. We felt honored & privileged.

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/12/making-turn.html)

Today, last year, we were trying to make the best of a bad situation – and trying to look for that silver lining in the gray cloud hanging over our heads. Later on, after the Symphony packed up and moved onto another floor, the same orthodox rabbi that stopped by Bob’s ICU/ER room the previous Shabbat, stopped again – this time, he took time to spend a few minutes with us: and we did not mind; the comfort of Elohim was what mattered: other Chaplains had not been visiting the ICU/ER Ward. He left a 2019 Calendar with me, before leaving to visit other patients … and I am still using that calendar, today, this year. That calendar is a tangible link to today, last year.

As you all know, who have been reading my Blog and following this tread … the bad situation got worse, and the only silver lining was that Bob graduated to a higher level of living and now walks the streets of gold in that celestial city beyond the clouds; Bob did not become an outpatient, we did not move, and I did not have to learn how to drive in Portland traffic. All that said: I STILL BELIEVE that joy overshadows the corners our lives have taken – Bob resides in Heaven, and lives a life of joy unimaginable to those who await our call to ‘Come Home!’; and joy is slowly taking root in my new life without Bob by my side, in the flesh. Bob answered Elohim’s Call; and I am bending to Elohim’s Will in my new life, according to His Plan for my life.

Today, this year, I was vendor at another local Bazaar - 
(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/11/where-lonely-go.html); (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/11/pleasant-hill-bazaar.html); (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/11/i-made-it-through-rain.html). I wasn’t sure I could do Bazaars this year, but Yeshua has helped me in my healing progress, and I was able to do 2 of them – and that was a good start to kick-start future events ;-)

This morning, I woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed; hopped in & out of the shower/pulled a lunch together/made a pot of Peppermint Bark Coffee, and took remnants of Bob’s love with me …

Watch & watch band Bob bought me our first Christmas together in 1974; it’s starting to show its age – the gold plating is tarnishing & the leather band is dried and cracking – but it still works. And it warms my heart: metal on my skin breaks me out in a rash; I can't wear earrings or necklaces either: Bob looked high and low for this leather band. This watch represents my husband’s love for me.

Quick way to make coffee for the road ... I poured the perked coffee made in the pot into the thermos (Bob's Grandmother's coffee pot & his thermos); there wasn’t enough for the travel mug, and there was no time to perk half a pot; so I used my 1980's Melitta Pour-Over-Coffee Maker.

I used Bob's travel mug today (we bought matching mugs in Idaho 5 years ago on our way to Vegas to see our newborn grandson); I wanted his representation with me: the watch & the mug were good ones ;-)

Car loaded, off I drove – over Coal Creek (there was a foggy mist shrouding Coal Creek), Delameter (wet, but not foggy), Cline Road spur, and down PH 10 that dropped me right into Castle Rock :-D

Delameter Road

Melton Road, where the road work begins on Delameter …

Delameter Road road work.

Mud Hill on Delameter Road. Already the massive mud hill is sliding – I noticed evidence of landslide activity when I passed it on the way home around 3:30 PM. WHY this was created is a mystery – it’s ludicrous: and the ugly proposed cement retaining wall won’t be able to sustain it. This county folly is a ridiculous; and dangerous accident waiting to happen.

Looks like road widening on Delameter, nearing Cline Road spur.

Cline Road; which junctions with PH 10.

Finding the Senior Citizen’s Center was easy-peasy once I entered Castle Rock: Bob & I had visited it about a year and a half ago – and I spend a lot of time in Castle Rock (before, as well as now). I backed up to the side door, and noticed the pretty greenery & big Christmas balls curb appeal:

Festive outdoor decor at Castle Rock Senior Citizen's Center.

Setting up went quickly, and I schmoozed with other vendors (before, during, and after), made table $$ fee and then some (always good :-D), saw some interesting items vendors were selling, and signed up to become a member of the Center (Bob & I had talked about this before our lives took a critical turn). When I left home to make the Castle Rock event, I carried Bob’s love with me; and all day long I felt I was surrounded by Bob’s love and encouragement …

Coffee Can Frosty Top Hats. Made with painted coffee cans and plates.

I got my Castle Rock Senior Citizen's Center Membership Card. $5 for LIFETIME membership.

When I got back to home turf, I picked up the mail, and saw that a new seed catalog had arrived :-D This will be a good way to while away the Winter days – I love pouring over seed catalogs and plotting my garden plots during the gray days that keep me home bound over the Winter months ;-)

First 2020 Seed Catalog arrived.

I ended the day, today, this year, with thankfulness and praise to Elohim for getting me through it with joyfulness and hope for future events; Yeshua gave me peace that passes all understanding all day long, and I was even able to talk about Bob to other vendors without tearing up or breaking down.

Tonight, last year, I was drinking lukewarm juices I had stashed in my duffel bag while I camped out in the ICU/ER room with Bob – begging Elohim for a miracle, and at the same time prayerfully holding my husband’s hand and affirming with him that we would accept Elohim’s Will – no matter what.

Tonight, this year, I am drinking hot, fragrant, Jasmine tea at the home my husband provided for me when he walked this Earth in the flesh and loved me like a man; thanking Elohim that He has generously provided for me, and I want for nothing – in this, my new life; and I prayerfully praise Yeshua for the strength He gives me daily to accept Elohim’s Will … no matter what.

Bob & I bought this tea together at the Asian Market in Oregon, 2 years ago; there aren’t many bags left, and I have been hoarding it for special occasions: tonight fits ;-)

I had a good husband.

I have a good life - all things considered.

I have an AWESOME, GOOD God.

I am truly blessed.