Hallelujah!!

I finally got to ride again!!!! Between the rain and my mom having a health scare it seems like it’s been forever since I rode and today’s ride was just what the Dr. ordered. It’s only been a little less than 2 weeks, but it seemed like so much longer. Apparently I also missed the memo that today was ride on the opposite side of the road Friday. Did any of you see that memo? It seemed every road I took, someone liked my side better. I met cars, trucks, a bus, dump truck, and a tractor trailer truck that all preferred my side, or at least half of my side. Fortunately my momma taught me to share and my bike and I didn’t need the whole lane.🤣

I recently ordered myself some chaps and I wore them for the first time today. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like them or not but they sure did help keep my legs protected from the wind and also the brief showers I experienced. I probably would have headed home sooner had I not been wearing them due to some brief showers. Instead I knew I wouldn’t get soaked so as long as I was able to see through the rain drops on my glasses I was good to go!

Spending time alone riding and enjoying nature was absolutely refreshing and relaxing. I thought about the time spent with mom in the hospital and all of the wonderful nurses, Dr.s, cleaning ladies and nurse assistants that we were blessed to have. We tried to be sure they all knew how much we appreciated their hard work and caring nature, especially those who were working on Thanksgiving day when she had her emergency surgery. Not once while she was in the hospital did we feel like she was “bothering ” them in any way. They continually also asked if there was anything they could do for me. This was a welcome change from years ago when my dad was in the hospital.

I remember several of them saying they were sorry I was having to spend Thanksgiving there, but honestly under the circumstances I told them I was thankful to be there. Throughout this past week I’ve also been very thankful for my hubby who kept up with the laundry, washed dishes, and made some delicious home cooked meals to lighten the burden and ensure I was eating good, not food on the go. I told him he’s hired! 😘

Although it’s been up and down and challenging at times, I’m glad to report my mom is doing amazingly well for everything she has been through at 81 years young. I’m also happy to report my “dad” had another scan this week to see if his rare cancer had returned and it has not! He doesn’t go back for another 3 months! God never ceases to amaze me. I know they are both living proof that miracles do happen. We may sometimes give up on ourselves but He never gives up on us. Everything happens in His time. I know we won’t have our parents forever, I miss my daddy every day, but I’m blessed and relieved to still have my mom and my mother and father in law here with us.

As Christmas approaches and as we go through these challenges, it becomes more and more evident that the best gift we can give each other is quality time together. My mom was concerned about not being able to give gifts to everyone this year and I’ve told her several times, “The best gift you can give any of us is to just get strong enough to come home,” and believe me she is working hard to do just that. I’m proud of her and admire her determination. My brother and sister in law will be here and I know she wants to be at home before they arrive.

Life can be hard and not go the way we want or expect it to, but God is there through it all. We may not always feel it or see it, but that’s our limited minds, not Him. He is there just waiting for us to call out to Him and to let Him in. I know that I could not have held it together this past week without God and my family and friends. I am truly thankful and blessed.

Romans 8:37-39

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,

nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.