Independence Day Greetings
Two hundred and thirty one years ago in Philadelphia, a small band of statesmen drafted and signed a document outlining a list of grievances against the British crown and declaring the independence of the colonies from the tyrannical government of Great Britain. In doing so, they pledged to one another and the new nation their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. And for many, it cost them everything. But the result was the freest, most prosperous nation on earth. Of course, that result didn’t come without years of war, hardship, and pain. But led by principle, integrity and Divine Providence, these men led the new nation to freedom.
Eleven years later, on September 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was adopted in its original form by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, PA, and later ratified by the people in conventions in each state as the supreme law of the land—the United States of America.
Over the past 231 years, we’ve had many occasions to defend our freedom. Today we are in another such battle—a battle against terrorists who wish to eradicate our way of life. Different in nature, but similar in purpose. We must highly resolve to understand our freedom and be willing to defend it. We need to pray for statesmen who will do the right thing rather than the politically expedient thing.
On this Independence Day, I encourage you to take a few minutes and read the Declaration of Independence, the document that established the underlying principles of our government. And to thank God for our freedom.
Labels: independence
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Aging and Independence
My step dad fell earlier this week and is in a lot of pain, making it difficult to walk, sit, or just about anything. He was trying to pick up something he had dropped on the floor and fell out of his wheelchair. The brakes weren’t locked, but from the description, I’m not sure it would have made a lot of difference.I think one of the hardest things about getting old must be to accurately gauge your present abilities, rather than living in the memory of your past abilities. I know I feel that way. My body is 59 and aging quickly; my mind is still 35 and can’t figure out why I can’t do what I’ve always done.
Dad’s generation is famous for their fierce independence. Now, at 90, he still believes that if he can think it, he can do it. Nearly blind, he continued to work on his truck until just before he fell a year ago. He would describe to Mom what needed to be done and use her as his eyes and hands. Even after several falls and a year in a nursing home, he stubbornly refuses to ask for help. And Mom is about as bad as she continues to try to help him, steady him, and now, get him in and out of bed and wheelchair.
I ask her why she does it. Doesn’t she realize the risk she’s putting herself at? Yes, she says she does. But he needs help, and she doesn’t like asking for help or telling him no. So she lifts, pulls, pushes, and steadies. My greatest fear is that she will fall and end up needing care herself. What a shame since she is engaging in a known risk. But she's an adult, and I don't seem to have a lot of influence with her.
I can barely keep up with their needs at this stage, where she is still able to handle the day-to-day issues. Managing two of them in care would, I think, stretch me beyond my limits, and yet, like her, I suppose I’d do it. Yes, once again, I feel smooshed.
Labels: aging parents, independence