In the words of the song Maybe It's Okay by We Are Messengers
"Maybe it's ok if I'm not ok
'Cause the One who holds the world is holding onto me
Maybe it's all right if I'm not all right
'Cause the One who holds the stars is holding my whole life"
I knew that this day would come but did not know how emotionally draining it would be; it has been a crazy, hectic few months with lots of prayers by friends and family and discussions with Trevor, Nich, Elliott, Bryce , Kiefer, Bobbi and Nikki (Kiefer's fiance); but we have decided it is time to place Greg in a nursing facility.
Greg has continued to decline and is now requiring more and more care, so I decided to started placing calls to a few nursing facilities, basically to see what was available and to see if I could find out approximately how long the wait for an opening would be. My hopes were not very high. I had been praying for God to give me wisdom to make the right choice and to make it very clear to me that placing Greg in a facility was what we were supposed to do. I found 2 facilities with openings within 3 days. As many of you know to find one opening is unheard of but to find 2 is really almost impossible. One opening was in Canton at the Canton Good Samaritan , the other opening was at Tieszen Memorial Home in Marion.
After having a family meeting we decided to place Greg in Marion; I know the facility (my mom is there), mom has had excellent care, I have gotten to know a lot of the staff and am impressed with their caring attitude and the care they give the residents.
It will be an adjustment for all of us but will probably be harder on family then on Greg. The plan is to admit him and then not see him for 5 to 7 days so that he can get used to the facility and their routines. That will be the hardest part because Trevor, Elliott, Nich and myself are used to seeing Greg everyday, but we all evidently find our "new normal" just like Greg will.
Through all of this I have learned many things but a few that stand out are: I fully understand what unconditional love is, I have seen Greg at his best and at his worst; but no matter what has happened I still love him and always will, "for better, for worse, in sickness and in health, 'till death do us part"
I CAN do all things through Christ who strengths me. This one applies not only to me but to the boys . I have seen Trevor and Elliott get up with Greg at night so that I could get some sleep so I was able to go to work the next day. Trevor gets Greg up every morning and gets him dressed so that Nich; in spite of the crazy, hectic life that he and Bobbi have, can take Greg to Ceili Cottage. Walter who is always so loving and gentle with Greg. Bryce, Kiefer and Nikki who will give up a Saturday morning and sit with Greg so that I can run errands, go to coffee with the girls or just have some me time. Elliott who will pick Greg, if I call him at the last minute and ask. I have seen the boys do things that I didn't think they were capable of doing.
I am BLESSED with an amazing family, coworkers, friends and everyone involved in my life because without YOU I could not do this crazy thing called life and still keep my sanity.
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