C: MIL on the Mend, and the Joy of Neighbors

It's drizzing rain here today, but yesterday was glorious. The weather was just perfect, and we spent the day burning our burn piles of fallen logs and sticks. Slowly, ever so slowly, my little farm is taking the shape I want. It is becoming tidier as my son and I (with help from friend Ryan) work to remove aged fences, tame underbrush, and keep the place mowed. Yesterday's effort was extremely satisfying.




Shifting focus from myself (so hard to do--I have been just a tad self-absorbed!), let me say that my mother-in-law is improving daily! She's able to dress herself and move about the house. She is allowed to put 50% of her weight on her hip until she sees the doctor in two weeks so he can assess if she should put full weight to bear. We are learning about walkers and sliding bath benches, long-arm grabbers and other devices to help people with daily activities when they have had this surgery.

In her home, MIL has physical therapy three times a week, occupational therapy twice a week, and an aide to help her bathe or do anything else she needs three times a week. All of this is paid by Medicare, and this after two weeks in a wonderful rehabilitation facility. I know there are things about our healthcare system that need to be fixed, but surely we have no complaints about the treatment Medicare has provided for my MIL.

We have a new ramp (built by a neighbor) for her, installed a hand-held shower nozzle (purchased and installed by neighbors), arranged for someone to be with her during the day after my sister-in-law leaves (it will be a neighbor, http://www.midlifecountrygirl.blogspot.com/), begun landscaping her yard for her (a neighbor), had dinner brought to her (neighbors)...are you getting the picture, here?



I love our community. It is like our neighbors have galvanized around MIL's need, and my sister-in-law has been so complimentary about their warmth. To her, we live in the wilderness (and she's not completely wrong about that...bear season this week brought a kill just a quarter mile away) but our neighbors respond to each other in time of need. Maybe it's because we are so far out from usual city conveniences and that mutual reliance is a replacement for that. But I like to think it's just the quality of the people. I think I'm right.

Yesterday my mother, sister, brother-in-law and their two youngest came out to visit MIL and SIL before SIL's departure on Tuesday. They partook of my homemade vegetable soup, and we had a high-old family time with both "sides" of my family represented. Here's my youngest niece with Chili:



Also our neighbors from "up the hill" called to see if MIL was well enough to come up for dinner. We declined, being obedient to the physical therapist's orders not to tackle the ramp until the 14th, when we go to the orthopedist. Intent on us all getting together anyway, they came down the hill last night, and we had a take-out-ribs feast on MIL's new porch--a christening, as it were. The weather was balmy--just short of cool--and the company was wonderful. MIL was glad for the relief of monotony and, of course, thinking that someone cares enough about you to make this kind of effort did her worlds of good.

Here's the view from MIL's porch, where our little dinner party was last night:



Blessed? You bet we are! MIL and I have bumps ahead in the road--we can see them them coming up--but I think we're ready for them. With this kind of support, how can we fail? C

Comments

Ok I confess...I'm coveting both the dog and the porch! Not nice I know but there it is. blessings, marlene
jan said…
Glad MIL is on the mend! Isn't it great to see a demonstration ofthe best in human nature !?!
Joolz said…
Hey C,
Wonderful to hear MIL is doing so well. Even better to hear that the health system is not failing you in this instant. Great to hear that your neighbours are so lovely and caring and fantastic to hear that things are right in your world at the moment. Enjoy.

Cheers - Joolz
So glad to hear MIL is doing so well and I'm so happy the company lifted her spirits! It's great that her health care has been there for her! Unfortunately, it isn't there for my 34 yr. old daughter with congenital heart condition. When her expensive Cobra expires, she is UNINSURABLE! Yes, it does need to be fixed. I don't really trust the govt. to make decisions for me and my family, but something isn't right here! Maybe this cowgirl should take on the Health Care system! V.
Vickie said…
I don't care what people say about the world going to pot! There ARE good kind human beings out there if we look. You girls sound like you're right smack dab in the middle of some nice folks. Blessings abound all around you. I like that porch, and the ramp, and your dog and I'm so glad your MIL is doing so well. It feels so good to know people care! And your farm is really shaping up! More pictures please ---
I love your neighbours helping so much, you are blest!
KathyB. said…
This was a delightful and encouraging read! Neighbors really do make a difference for good or bad, and yours are the best! Love the view, and it looks like you all have a little piece of heaven on earth there. Chili looks pretty happy snuggled into your niece too.
Anonymous said…
Well C that was a very encouraging post today. I know it is hard to keep on grinding when things get hard, but you know and thanks for sharing, they will. I can't wait to see all the things done, that you want to do and things get down to a normal routine. Glad MIL is doing good. The Medicare is good. That is one thing that is positive about aging. Not many things, but that is one. Who knows what is coming up.
QMM
Suzanne said…
Good for you and good for her!! I love the stories of your neighbors and the community. We live in such a place also but when you tell these stories to those living in the city, they can hardly believe it. In the country you form your own little support system. It's even more so in the south.

Your little farm is looking quite lovely.

- Suzanne
carla said…
Oh, my that porch. I will not covet. I will not covet.

It looks like it might be screened-in. Is it?

Arthritis, etc. is making steps difficult for me so we're going to need to build a ramp when we replace our porch. Hopefully soon.

I love living out in the country. We moved out here right after Sept. 11 (that's not why we moved out; we'd had a contract on the land for months). At first I was not happy and I gave myself 5 years to adjust. If it still felt uncomfortable by then, I was going to lobby for a change. It didn't take that long and now I'm happy out here. We have near neighbors so we're not isolated, but were far enough out to have coyotes, raccoons, quail, roadrunners, rabbits.....I'd rather not have the coyotes, but after all, we moved into their territory.
Kathleen said…
I could almost smell that smoke; a wonderful scent when whiffed from afar through timbered woods. I'm wondering what "tame" underbrush is. Isn't that an oxymoron? :)

How blessed is your MIL to have one so devoted to her. May those rough days to come be laden with so much joy you won't even feel the bumps as you glide over them.

Kathleen
Iron Needles said…
Good neighbors are angels. Glad you have some great ones. Hope MIL good recovery continues in fine fashion.
Michelle said…
Such a nice post and glad to hear that your MIL is doing so well. It is wonderful that you both have such a great relationship.
Leslie said…
I am very happy that your MIL is doing so well. Your neighbors are so kind and generous. You are very blessed. When you have support like that how could you not make it over all those bumps. I love your trees and the view from you MILs porch.
Isn't this community togetherness and willingness to help each other, what life is all about? I think this is a special post, representing kind and caring people, reaching out to each other. I think I am going to move to your area of the world. I do like all of your pictures.
mary Gentry said…
Hi C I hope that you still Have that determation you show all the time I am so proud of you.Get that fireplace ready cool weather is on the way.you need help with any thing let us know.
Anonymous said…
C -- I don't know how I missed this post, but I'm so glad I noticed it. What a wonderful uplifting report. You are blessed, and you bless.

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