Hi friends
Unfortunately I’m having to pause our 5 Senses to Prayer room for a few weeks. I’ve currently pushed pause until the end of July. I’ll review this nearer to the time.
Sometimes things happen when we least expect them to….
I spent the Matariki public holiday in the emergency ward at the hospital with my parents. As many of you will be aware my Dad lives next door to me and I'm very involved in his care including being his Enduring Power of Attorney. Dad has dementia and although it’s advanced, he still knows his people. In the last week and a half our very close family have kept 24 hour watch at his hospital bed so he didn’t feel alone or lost while the medical experts figured out what was going on.
Dad came out of hospital on Thursday and has been sent home for palliative care. He has an infection around his pacemaker and there will be no intervention. For now he’s on intense pain relief and he’s the most chirpy he’s been in months. This is not likely to last long as the raging infection spreads. We’d like to have him at home for as long as possible, to care for him ourselves, supported by nursing carers. Our hope is to ensure he’s surrounded by his people and isn’t suffering pain or loneliness.
Dad is a man who has lived out his faith in daily ways, practically and emotionally helping and supporting others. He is known for his love, acceptance, tolerance, grace, gentleness, humour and patience. Even through his dementia, these attributes remain strong. He is a role model for many and it is a privilege to care for him in these last days. We don’t know if his passing will be in days or weeks. It’s unlikely to be months.
I am not really sure now of my plans for the next few months. In August and September I was due to go on a trip to Europe. My intention was to be ahead 8 weeks in my writing before I leave. I’m not even sure of what will happen to this trip and even less sure of when I can get out 5 Senses Prayer Room back into action. I will be back though!
May our God be with you
On the journey
Caroline