Tags
caring, community, compassion, Diana Schwenk, family, friends, kindness, love, parents, Relationships
I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar. ~ Robert Brault
Helllllooooooooooooo! I have soooo missed you!
As you may or may not know, I headed back east on September 10. Check here to get caught up on my anticipation of returning to my province of birth. I had received word that Dad had an Aneurysm in his abdomen that had ruptured and that he’d been rushed to the Civic Hospital in Ottawa for emergency surgery.
Originally I had intended to stay for one week to help out while Dad recovered, but it made more sense for me to stay two weeks and so I made arrangements to do so.
He’s really made some significant improvements in the three weeks since surgery and although he’s using a walker right now, he’s able to do so without assistance from us. He’ll be walking sans walker any day now – I’m sure of it! I may write more about this when I return home.
For now, I want to share about the importance of friendship. My folks have some really awesome friends and neighbours. When Dad originally fell, Mom went next door to ask Brian for help. Brian is fully trained in First Aid and got Dad up off the floor and helped with getting an ambulance.
My brother and his family cut their vacation short and rushed to Dad’s side while he was in hospital. Joyce and Keith drove my parents the 120 kilometers to Ottawa for subsequent appointments and checkups and Keith built a ramp at the house so that Dad can get in and out.
Jim and Eva lent my parents equipment (walker and accessible toilet seat with handles) to manage the after care. And members of the community visited, encouraged and loved my parents through it all.
Maybe it’s one of the plusses of country living – I don’t know but my belief in community was affirmed and I witnessed first-hand the benefits that come with surrounding one’s self with a network of people.
~
Yesterday my brother picked me up and brought me to his place in Montreal. I’m glad that I get to spend some time with him, my SIL and my brilliant nephew. Tomorrow morning, early in the morning, I will be heading to the airport to fly home.
Until then, be good to each other.
Diana
While at my parent’s place, I ran into a bunch of critters I don’t ever see in Calgary. Check them out below!
artsifrtsy said:
I hope your father is recovering well. I think there is a closer sense of closeness and connectivity in a smaller community. It’s easy to bear another’s burdens when you know them well. BTW – how do you tell a male from a female praying mantis?
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dianasschwenk said:
My father is improving. The female praying mantis is brown, the male is green.
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artsifrtsy said:
Ahhh – never knew that. I thought brown ones were old. Duh. Good thoughts for your pop.
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dianasschwenk said:
LOL, I think the old ones are grey! 😉
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artsifrtsy said:
🙂
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Jean said:
That’s great your father has a good network to help him when he needed it. Good thing your visit was timed closely to all of this.
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dianasschwenk said:
I was glad to help out Jean. Thank you for your good wishes!
xo
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elizabeth2560 said:
So glad to hear that your Dad is on the mend.
Love the quote about true friendship (and family) and those people who are available anytime day or night.
🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Elizabeth, I’m glad too. ❤
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Wyrd Smythe said:
Glad you dad is doing well! The leaves are finally starting to turn down here; I love this part of the year!
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dianasschwenk said:
Enjoy and bask in those colours Smitty!
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Wyrd Smythe said:
Oh, we don’t have any of those,.. but I’m starting to see some nice colors! 😛
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jmgoyder said:
So glad of the good news about your dad!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Julie!
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jmgoyder said:
xxx
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joannerambling said:
Good to hear your dad is recovering nicely
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Joanne!
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russtowne said:
I’m glad your father is recovering, Diana. Thank you for the update. I LOVE the quote at the top of your post.
Russ
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks for your good wishes Russ!
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Kristi said:
Missed ya! Love the quote and this post. Nothing is more important than family and friends. Speedy recovery to your father. hugs
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Kristi!
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jensine said:
love the frog
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dianasschwenk said:
Too bad it’s blurry though!
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Tracy Lee Karner said:
Thanks for the good news update. Enjoy Quebec (one of my favorite places!). And how lovely that your family is surrounded by good friends and you’re surrounded by plenty of both!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Tracy! I feel blessed.
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cyclingrandma said:
Glad your father has such a great support system nearby and glad you were able to visit. Yes, friends are important!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks, they are important and I’m sure my folks would help any of them out at the drop of a hat as well.
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Brigitte said:
D, safe travels and I’m so happy your Dad is doing so well! I grew up in the country — there is a lovely sense of community.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Brigitte! Yes, it is so true – I was blown away!
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Oh, Diana, I have been missing you too! I hope you have a safe trip home and that your precious dad continues to improve. Hugs!!!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks so much Jennifer! I hope all is well with you. ❤
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bulldog said:
Glad to here Dad is on the mend… and I do agree the smaller the town the closer the people… love hearing about those around Dad that just spring in to help… wonderful…
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dianasschwenk said:
It is wonderful and I am so grateful. 🙂
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Louise Gallagher said:
So glad your father is recovering well — and that friends and family are there to help him. What a blessing!
Love the photos — and yes, the leaves turning are special. Hugs Safe journey home!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks so much Louise!
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