It is the third week in Advent and along with the candles of HOPE and
PEACE, we light the candle of JOY.
We continue to be amazed, heartened, and full of HOPE as we consider
Mum's enduring capacity to find joy in her life. At a time when we
do not know Mum's long term prognosis and each day must be lived for
the moment, Mum continues to be engaged with the broader world around
her. This week her nods, head-shakes and mouthing of words were in
response to news about the Canadian dollar and commodity prices,
along with her usual inquiries about the lives of the families of her
nurses and visitors.
For many weeks this fall, Mum was unable to smile because of the
palsy in her face and particularly in her jaw. Her muscle tone in
her face is returning and once again Mum can give a huge smile that
can take your breath way. Everyone -- including the endless medical
staff who parade through her room -- receive her big grin. We are
amazed at Mum's ability to hang in with such spirit considering what
she has endured and continues to endure in this two-steps-forward,
one-and-three quarter-steps-backward struggle to recovery.
Mum is teaching us all that JOY is an emotion that arises from within
us and is not affected by the things that happen to us. It is a gift
of life found in the midst of gritty determination. The struggle of
the last four months has not taken away Mum's ability to find JOY as
she greets staff and visitors, delights in a new day that may be
better than yesterday, and receives her Christmas mail.
For this and more, we rejoice!
Catherine, Nancy, and Janet
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