Just like Kate, I have been past due--not for a baby, thank goodness!--but for a blog post. And since Kate delivered her baby yesterday, I'd better get busy too.
What used to be such a simple task has become so much more difficult for me. And I miss it so much. I hate that I've neglected something so good for me and that always brought such joy.
Anyhow...
We are back in Colorado after a lovely and WARM March in Arizona.
I've been cold ever since. But with my electric blanket and my Maddie-girl to snuggle, I have yet to turn into a popsicle!
It is good to be back home and back into our normal and busy schedule.
We hope summer will bring some emptier days that require brainstorming at the breakfast table to fill, but until then, there are appointments, activities at the Stroke Center and errands to run in between...
I did qualify for bus service with Access-a-Ride, which is part of Denver's RTD service. I am taking the bus to and from my activities at the Stroke Center on Mondays and Tuesdays each week.
The bus comes to the end of our driveway and then takes me right to where I need to go. The drivers are kind and helpful and walk me to the door to make sure I arrive safely. It gives Mom and Dad a break from chauffeuring and I've met some interesting people.
The independence is good for me and only requires a simple phone call to their reservation line to schedule my trips each week.
In other news, I am joining our church after attending for the past year and teaching Sunday school with Dad. We are now teaching the middle school class and enjoy our time on Sundays with a group of great kids.
Physical therapy is super hard work, but I am seeing progress and have even begun to leave my cane at home on a regular basis! It feels good to have better balance and some ability to get around more easily - even if Tuesday's PT class keeps me sore through Friday each week!I am also doing lite gait therapy on Saturdays. It is a pretty cool treadmill that I couldn't fall off, no matter how hard I tried. You can google "litegait" to see pictures of it, if you really want to see it for yourself.
Dad is now unwired from his broken jaw in Arizona and is now eating with a fork instead of a straw and is able to talk more easily too.
Mom and I are thrilled for him and are quick to tell everyone that he never once complained during his six weeks of being completely wired shut. He is amazing! I'm sure I would have done nothing but complain...
We don'yt have any big summer plans except to be home and to be warm and to spend some time at the pool each day. I can hardly wait!
Counseling is going well and I am becoming more and more independent and confident, all while hearing God tell me that dependence and neediness are good things. I, of course, struggle with that balance as I long to become independent and more self-sufficient in daily life.
It's hard to believe that I have been living in Denver with my parents for a year now, but it really has been that long. I have not seen my girls during this year and I miss them each day and pray for them constantly. I have heard from Toben that they are doing well and I imagine they are excited for summer vacation and for school to be out.
Wishing you all a happy spring filled with blooming flowers and warm sunshine.
With love,
Joanne
P.S. Maybe independence is really about living in dependence rather than being totally self-sufficient. Hmmm... Independence by living in dependence. Something to ponder...
J.
Your p.s.? AMAZING. Love you so so much!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo!!!
Posted by: Marla Taviano | May 03, 2015 at 05:59 PM
AWESOME_NESS, Joanne! I long to see you. Tea, soon?!
Posted by: annemarie | May 03, 2015 at 06:14 PM
I like in dependence... That is the key. Depending on God for every little and big thing. I love you BIG!
Posted by: Holly Smith | May 03, 2015 at 06:26 PM
Independence By Living In Dependence- A great title for your next book!!
Am glad "Dad" is doing so much better. I would sure like to sit in on one of your Sunday School classes some day!!
Posted by: Dean Skaret | May 03, 2015 at 06:49 PM
You are a sweet soul...
Posted by: lana dunkerley | May 03, 2015 at 07:11 PM
Thanks for writing. I love reading your thoughts. You are a woman I admire so much. You're just pretty special.
Posted by: Heather Henricks | May 03, 2015 at 08:11 PM
Loved your PS, great to see you blogging again. So proud of the progress you are making and your great attitude. Julie
Posted by: Ginsamica | May 03, 2015 at 08:33 PM
Always love getting updates from you!
Posted by: NON-Superwoman | May 03, 2015 at 08:40 PM
I always love hearing from you. Cannot believe you haven't seen your girls in so long. Saying special prayers over your relationship with Toben and the girls right now. Much love.
Posted by: Sarah | May 03, 2015 at 09:26 PM
Believing with you for restoration with your darling girls...Yes dependence on the LORD in our weaknesses and shining forth in His strength is the secret Paul spoke of in the epistles...Love you so in Him! So glad you are back on The Simple Wife..."T 'is the gift to be simple, t'is the gift to be free!"
Posted by: Pam Houston | May 04, 2015 at 05:06 AM
So nice to hear from you and to know that you can do without your cane some now. I hope you can eventually throw it away! It's been a rather cold spring here in the south, but summer-like temps are ahead for this week.
I find that I can only truly be independent if I am dependent on God. A recurring problem in my family of origin popped up last week and I had a couple of bad days. When my friend and I had lunch, she asked how things were going. Part of me wanted to unload the "latest" but I suddenly realized that wasn't really fair. While she would have listened compassionately, it would have cast a shadow on our time together. So my reply was "Such-and-such happened but I'm handling it." That morning I had left the problem where it belonged, at the feet of my Heavenly Father.
You are such a positive example not only to me but to everyone who reads your blog. That Maddie-dog is a cutie!
Posted by: Judy | May 04, 2015 at 06:27 AM
I was just thinking about you and so very glad to read an update. My heart breaks over and over for your relationship with your girls. I want to bed Toben to bring them to you. I don't know what has caused their distance but, just the simple fact that they should honor their mother, I wish they would come.
You have an amazing attitude. Blessings on your continued physical and emotional healing.
Posted by: Darla Baerg | May 04, 2015 at 08:46 AM
I can't imagine your children not seeing you for a year. They are sure missing out. PRAY all that will work out soon.
Good news that you are making good progress.
Posted by: Charlotte Moore | May 04, 2015 at 08:56 AM
So great to hear from you, Joanne! And I'm thrilled to hear about your progress and your Dad's as well. Continuing to pray for you all daily.
Posted by: Sharon | May 04, 2015 at 09:10 AM
So good to hear from you. i'm proud of you!
Posted by: Kathy Collard Miller | May 04, 2015 at 09:25 AM
Each time you post my heart is touched! Life has been so hard and hearing how you are pressing on and trusting the Lord is so encouraging to me. Thank you so much! Remembering you in prayer daily...God Bless!
Posted by: Sheila Hinkle | May 04, 2015 at 11:53 AM
Perfect timing and much to ponder! Thank you Joanne. Grateful for you and your walk (cane-less & otherwise :-) Celebrating dependence along with you!! (((hugs)))
Posted by: Tammy Allen-Schenke | May 04, 2015 at 12:41 PM
God is doing such good work. I loved reading your update, and I trust He's doing so much good work we can't even see or imagine. Love to you.
Posted by: amy | May 04, 2015 at 02:56 PM
Thank you for sharing your heart! It is such an encouragement to me. Your PS of independence being found in dependence reminds me of Psalm 16:6. I have had to learn that the boundaries that The Lord has placed around me actually give me freedom in many ways. I just did not realize it until I accepted His boundary lines.
Posted by: Lisa | May 04, 2015 at 09:36 PM
So good Joanne,
I always came to your blog because I knew that there would be some nugget of great wisdom that you were learning or were rolling over in your mind. Thanks for continuing to share your days. I am so happy that you are making such great gains in mobility...so very happy!
Keep up the good work and keep writing. I am saying that to myself as well.
Much love and hugs!
Posted by: Helen Washington | May 04, 2015 at 11:18 PM
In-dependence, I like it! Glad to hear from you again! Prayers for continued strengthening in all areas. :)
Posted by: Jennifer X | May 07, 2015 at 10:11 PM
So proud of you, Joanne!! Ditching the cane occassionally... amazing!! Huge steps forward. Keep it up... and you must keep posting... we always love hearing from you, because we care and love you! So we continue rooting for you!! Curious how the girls are doing? do you get to talk to them? Seems so wrong Toben doesnt allow you to visit. I feel so bad for you, Joanne! You need hugs from your girls!! Praying!!! Heidi C.
Posted by: heidi carrico | May 11, 2015 at 07:25 PM
Joanne,
I always look forward to your blog entries. Please keep posting! I'm so glad to hear that you're getting stronger and getting to leave that cane at home! Even though we have never met, I pray daily for your health and especially for the restoration of the relationship with your daughters. Praying for you today!
Posted by: Erin | May 12, 2015 at 11:20 AM
Dear Joanne;
You don`t know me, but you have become dear to me through the words of your blog, and the inspirational way you share the story of your heart and life.
Our situations are very different, and yet there are commonalites. I too have disabilites and challenges and am a Christian and I feel compelled to do something for you. There is a Christian book that has changed my perspective completely and ministered to the part of my soul that has grieved my physical losses and just felt so sad and confused as to why I have to suffer what I do. I have been buying this book for all my friends who have illness or disabiliteis, as well as reading it as a morning devotion. As I read your words, I just really think this book could be a blessing in your life, as it has been to me. It would mean so much to me to be allowed to purchase this book for you (either in ebook or a paper book). If you would allow me this priviledge, could you please email me your contact info (so I know how or where to send the book). My email is [email protected]
Sincerely,
Jenna Hoff
Posted by: jenna | May 14, 2015 at 05:47 PM
Thank you! I can only read books on kindle these days since i cannot hold a real book with only one hand...
Sent from my iPad
Posted by: Joanne Heim | May 14, 2015 at 06:16 PM
Dear Joanne, So much time has passed since we've greeted one another. I am so pleased to read of the amazing strides you've taken over the past year and of the loving devotion of your parents and sister. My girls and I are holding you up in prayer - that God will continue to provide assurance that the life you are living is truly in His hands and that you'll continue to claim his promise "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 On my run today I was reminded of the encouragement in Isaiah 43:19 "See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland."
Be of good courage my friend - We pray in Jesus name for total restoration of body, soul and family . Much love, Janine
Posted by: janine longoria | May 14, 2015 at 08:41 PM
You have a beautiful soul, Joanne - and Congrats on your continued progress! You go!
Posted by: Karen | May 16, 2015 at 01:00 PM
I haven't been by to visit you in a while, thanks for catching us up, I really hope you continue to experience progress as you work so hard, and I also hope you will write more!
Posted by: Kathy C. | May 23, 2015 at 03:41 PM
Can you please tweet and share on facebook for this little gitl? Such a tragedy!
taylorrememberabbie.tumblr.com
Posted by: lorianne | May 26, 2015 at 02:44 PM
Joanne, I just went back and caught up on all these recent blog posts--my parents came to visit from out of state (3 years since my kids had seen them) and so I wasn't spending time at the computer! : ) I'm so glad to hear the good things about walking without the cane, your successful foot surgery, the bus rides, etc. Yay! I am also so grieved for you because of what is happening with Toben and the girls. It is not right, and they need you in their lives. I'm praying about this, and asking God to give you all strength where needed, wisdom, compassion, and lots of mercy. Oh, and overflowing LOVE straight from the heart of the Giver of all good things. May His love pour over all of you, and may His arms enfold you. I'm not going to stop praying about this, because you MATTER, Joanne, as your girls' mom. Even if they don't know it (because they are teens!) it is true. So I'm praying for all that, and for your continued blessings for you & your parents.
Much love to you!
Posted by: Lisa Craddock | June 22, 2015 at 09:54 AM