February 16, 2010
This has been a colorful week. On Wednesday I received two bags of “packed red cells” and on Sunday, daughter Janna, the twin granddaughters and myself were caught in a “whiteout” on the highway between Seward and Lincoln. Blue is sure to come soon.
As before, the blood transfusion brought vast relief and as before, there are some signs that something else is working on “life continued” within my body. The first thing I noticed after spending the day at the hospital was getting into my car; as I got behind the wheel, I had a very strong message, “This isn’t my car!” It was very strange and disorienting, but I looked at the keys in my hand, and my second thought was an overriding, “Don’t be ridiculous” and I commenced to start the car and return home. I have not had the grand “bump” that I did in December, but I do have more energy. The pain level has increased so I am in need of more opiates in order to function. I consider what other things the blood has brought to me, and I feel that this time, perhaps the blood came from a serious and sad person. Of course, our never-ending winter with the mostly grey skies may also be an influence.
Last Thursday, Janna, Fiona and Ursula drove from Lake Bluff to spend a long weekend with us; it was a wonderful surprise. On Sunday, we loaded valentines, a bouquet of roses and valentine cookies (made and decorated by the twins and their grandmother) into the car and started out for Lincoln. We planned on church first, then a Valentine’s Day party at Heidi’s house. Charles left early in the morning and called after the first service to tell us that driving was slow but manageable when he made the trip. We started off and ran into a complete “whiteout” which is truly dreadful. We were headed east, and could see nothing at all. We needed to turn around, but that was a huge challenge since we had to find a place to cross the left lane in order to reverse our journey. We would meet cars that we couldn’t see until they were within ten feet of us. Janna saw a driveway to a farm where trees blocked the blowing snow, so she was able to cross the highway and pull into it. The car behind us did the same thing. We maneuvered the car around, and got back on the road. We had a number of miles to go, and these were just as harrowing going westward. We made it home again without incident–Janna is a veteran of many road trips and a very competent driver and she said this was one of her worst driving experiences, ever.
Later in the morning, we had our own Transfiguration Day worship with the readings and singing of psalms and hymns. Before we started, I asked Ursula if she knew about Transfiguration, and she said, “Oh yes, I learned about it in Harry Potter.” As we held our own service, we too were enveloped in white; but ours was snow blowing fiercely past the windows. We were relieved when Charles came home safely – he reported seeing many accidents en route. It was one of those unforgettable days.
Today, Janna and the girls returned home. We find the house very still though the sounds of happy laughter and music still linger in the corners of the rooms. Alphie’s sorrowful looks convey to us that he notices the absence of many more hands, hugs and walks. Ash Wednesday arrives tomorrow and Lent begins. Forty days later on the first Sunday in April, Easter is celebrated, and by then, spring will surely be here, too.