". . . little shall I grace my cause

In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,

I will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver . . ."

(William Shakespeare's Othello, I.iii.88-90)

Saturday, February 13, 2016

My Mom

The pictures are a rerun from Mothers Day, 2009. My mom is not doing well. She has been in hospital/skilled nursing care after fainting due to a urinary tract infection about 4-1/2 weeks ago. Since that time she has lost weight and mobility. Today we found out the UTI has returned. I would appreciate your prayers for healing and encouragement.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?
 When evildoers assail me
    to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
    it is they who stumble and fall.
 Though an army encamp against me,
    my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
    yet I will be confident.
 One thing have I asked of the Lord,
    that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
    and to inquire in his temple.
 For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will lift me high upon a rock.
 And now my head shall be lifted up
    above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
    sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
    be gracious to me and answer me!
 You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you,
    “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
     Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
    O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
    O God of my salvation!
 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
    but the Lord will take me in.
 Teach me your way, O Lord,
    and lead me on a level path
    because of my enemies.
 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
    for false witnesses have risen against me,
    and they breathe out violence.
 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living!
 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!

(Psalm 27)

Me and Mom leaving the hospital, July 1964
(the photo spent a number of years in a circular frame--thus, the unfortunate fading)



Christmas 1981, departing for Midnight Mass




At my college senior piano recital, 1986





Wedding, 1987





Grandma, Trevor, Caitlin, and Giselle, 1998





Grandma & Evan, 2003


3 comments:

Nancy said...

I am sorry your mom is not doing well. Prayers will be for her, those caring for her, and for you. Not an easy time.

Enjoyed looking at the photos. Midnight Mass? As in Catholic?

Portwenn59 said...

Hi Cheryl,
I will pray that your Mom is comforted by the promises of our Lord Jesus and you and your family also. Psalm 27:1 was my confirmation verse way back in 1963. It has given me comfort and peace throughout my life.

Our choir is singing the OT canticle from the Service of Prayer and Preaching during Lent. It's my understanding that your husband wrote the music for it. It is so beautiful and we love singing it. Tomorrow night will be the first time the congregation will be joining in.

May the Lord bless your Mom.

Diane

Cheryl said...

Nancy, yes that was Midnight Mass as in Roman Catholic. My mom is RC and I was at the time.

Diane, thank you. I keep coming back to Psalm 27. And thank you for your comment about the OT canticle. Yes, my husband wrote that music. I love it, too! I shared your comment with him and he was very appreciative. I hope it is a blessing to your congregation.