My Surprise Gift for My Dad

And not only, so but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Romans 5:3

My husband was flying home with my dad and my son was driving a moving van with my dad’s belongings and Dad's car in tow. I tried to think of what I could do to make my dad’s transition easier. Then it dawned on me…I should get him a stand-up recliner to help him, since he had previously fallen several times.

I did research trying to pick the best chair for the money. I needed one that had a battery back-up in case of a power outage. I needed something that was durable and would blend with the rest of the colors in the room. I found the right one and ordered it. All I had to do is wait to surprise my dad.

The delivery man came with the chair and my dad let us know he didn’t want a stand-up chair. We didn’t want to get rid of it, because we didn’t know if there might be a time where my dad might need it. What ended up happening is that my husband let my dad use his traditional recliner and my husband uses the traditional recliner portion of my dad’s stand-up chair. Two of my grandsons got in the act. We have their chairs next to Great-Grandpa’s and Grandpa’s, so that we have a row of recliners.

Although I was initially frustrated that my dad wasn’t as delighted with the stand-up chair as I had hoped he would be, he was right. Later, the Physical Therapist told me that it’s much better for my dad to not become dependent on other things to get him up. He needed to strengthen his leg muscles and will only develop them if he gets up and down from chairs including his recliner. Fortunately, God always sees the Big Picture and knew what was best for my dad in the long run. I feel so blessed to have my dad here with us. And not only, so but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Romans 5:3

Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.
These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Failing Eye Sight and the Newspaper

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 1 Peter 3:12

One of the things that helped with my dad’s transition to the new home was that we subscribed to a major newspaper. Prior to coming here, he used to read the newspaper every day, followed by doing the crossword puzzle.

He did this for a couple of months and started saying that it was becoming more and more difficult for him to read the newspaper, even aided with an oversized Sherlock Holmes-like magnifying glass. First, he stopped doing his crossword puzzles. The Sunday paper had the extra-large crosswords, but he stopped doing those, as well. After about four or five months, he stopped reading the newspaper, totally.

My dad kept saying that he just needed someone to fix his eyes and then he would be better. My husband was able to help him get into the VA system here and get an appointment with an ophthalmologist. They confirmed that my dad has Macular Degeneration in both of his eyes. They prescribed some daily vitamins that are supposed to help arrest this, but won’t be able to bring back his eye sight.

It’s not been easy for him not to be able to read things, but it doesn’t stop him from reading some things. He gets out his Sherlock Holmes-like magnifying glass to read the information that comes with his medications. I was very impressed at how involved he is in making sure that he knows the side effects of the medications, etc.

I try to read things for him, but at times this is frustrating for him. It’s got to be difficult to not be able to do all the same things he once was able to do so well. Fortunately for us, the Lord’s eyes are looking over us despite humanly shortcomings. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 1 Peter 3:12 

Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.
These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:


I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.

 Caregiving Video: Psychological Aspects of Macular Degeneration (Video 8)
By: Tom through VisuQuest, Kim Darden, Dr. Paul White, C. Joseph Beck via You Tube

The Phone Call

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Timothy 1:9

My husband and I were driving home from a mini weekend we had at a military base. They are usually very refreshing. We go to see the movies on base and get groceries at the commissary before we head home. Then, I decided to call my dad. This is the phone call that changed our lives, possibly forever!

I was asking my dad about the weather and normal chit-chatty conversation, when he let it out. He told me that he needed another place to live. He had previously been in the hospital several times with bouts of pneumonia and congestive heart failure. I talked to my husband briefly and asked my dad if he’d like to come live with us, although we live a half a continent away. My dad doesn’t like flying, so I was surprised when he told me yes, that he would like to come to stay with us.

(I never totally figured out why he decided to move, but the most I could figure out was that he couldn’t take care of himself or anyone else and probably could see that a nursing home was close on the horizon for options. Not willing to go that route, he figured we’d help him get set up with the VA for medical benefits and help him get the help he needed to get better.)

I told him that I’d call him back in a little bit and we’d talk about more of the details of the move here. I selected this Bible verse, because I feel that God called us to be there for my dad. If God hadn’t wanted us to care for my dad, my husband could have been unsupportive about him moving in, but he was extremely supportive. If God hadn’t wanted my dad to come live with us, He could have made it where we were unable to work out the move details on such short notice, but everything fell into place like it was all in God’s very capable hands. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 2 Timothy 1:9

Since these are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my experience, they may not reflect the whole meaning of the verse.

I'm including You Tube Video clips on caregiving that I found interesting, inspirational, or might be helpful to others, but am not responsible for the content in the videos. Always check first with a physician before trying any suggestions mentioned.

Caregiving Video: Amy Grant's Three Caregiving Tips
By: Amy Grant through Guideposts via You Tube


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