You Can Lead a Quad to the Computer but You Can't Make Him Blog

Amy here. I've poked and I've prodded but I can't seem to get Pops hooked on blogging. Even though he's able to get on the computer to check his email, anything that involves typing seems to get him frustrated. His dictation software helps, but it's not ideal for blogging. Besides...he's retired! So I guess I'll stop nagging and let him relax already...

I'm not sure anybody even checks this site anymore, but I'd thought I'd give an update on Pops and fill you in on his life since he last wrote. He and mom continue to LOVE their life in Arizona, and have quickly acclimated to the almost perfect weather. Nothing better for the both of them then to wake up each morning to blue skies and sunshine. It's been a crazy winter in Wisconsin with record amounts of snow, so their decision to spend winters down there was certainly a good one. And as I look outside at the grey sky which today perfectly matches the grey grass, the grey pavement, and the grey trees, I'm so thankful they are there.

They live in a 55+ adult community/condo neighborhood and have really made some good friends there. And at 57 years of age, they certainly are the young ones in the neighborhood! But everybody moves at the same speed...retired...so it's perfect for them. Their best buds are their next door neighbors Pat and Steve who are snowbirds from Minnesota. Pat is a retired nurse who has been a great comfort for both mom and dad, and Steve is a very handy guy who helps mom with all sorts of projects. Although I must mention that she is certainly holding her own as the new 'Bob Vila' of the family, even purchasing her own chainsaw a few months back. Pops called one day and said, "You'll never believe where your mother is right now." "Shopping?" I asked. "Nope. She's climbed a ladder up into the tangelo tree and is trimming the branches with her new chain saw." What else could I say but, "What the crap?" She continues to master one craft after another as her latest project is laying new bricks in the front patio. I know, the Lord does work in mysterious ways. Caretaker, bowel team captain, lumberjack, stone mason...is there anything she can't do? Oh yeah...cook. So there are some things that never change...

Lulu, their Havanese puppy, has been a great addition and keeps them laughing (and sometimes yelling). Amazingly enough, mom happened to find a dog that shares her personality...small but tough, cute but bossy, playful but fiercely independent. It's uncanny. Every morning like clockwork, Lulu will sit at the foot of dad's bed waiting for mom to get Pops in his chair. As soon as he's in, Lulu jumps on his feet until mom lifts her onto dad's lap. She then licks the heck out of his face, including both ears, and then hops down (Lulu, not mom). It's pretty cute how she has to say good morning to him as soon as he's up. Mom also started a puppy play group that meets at the pool twice a week. Almost everyone in the neighborhood who has a dog comes to hang out and chat while the dogs go nuts. Lulu, the smallest dog of the bunch has befriended Sheena, a german shepherd and the biggest dog of the bunch. It's pretty funny to see them chase each other around. Lulu is tiny but she's one tough beast. Hmmm...sound familiar?

All of us kids have been there at various times this winter to stay with them, and they've enjoyed some other visits from friends and family. Fans and I were just there last week for Spring Break and had a great time. It was wonderful to see them settled into their routine and to be able to meet their friends that we have been hearing about. They are truly very happy there and it shows. Their life is peaceful, unhurried, and relaxing...but I guess that's what retirement is all about. No schedule to keep, no demands, no reason to stress. And after being there I can officially say they are retired. How do I know this? Well, we went out for dinner a few times and never once was it later than 4:30pm. Yes, that's right, dinner at 4:30...that is the final confirmation that they are old fogies. I mean seniors.

Pops spends a lot of time reading and goes through books amazingly fast. He loves sitting out in the sun with a good book and saying hi to the neighbors as they walk by. He also loves his Thursday morning 'men's coffee in the clubhouse' with the other guys in the neighborhood. Unfortunately he still suffers from the nerve pain in his left arm, but they are hoping to see some specialists once they are back in Wisconsin at the end of May. He did have some trouble with his catheter earlier in March which put him in the hospital for a few nights. But everything turned out okay and health wise he's been doing pretty well. No new movement or anything but it's not really expected at this point. His kidneys are working well so there's still no need for dialysis...thank God.

Mom and Pops had the privilege of speaking at Kersta's dad's church on Easter Sunday which was so neat. Many people in the congregation have read the blog from the beginning and have been praying for Pops ever since, so it was a blessing to be able to meet some of those people face to face. Mom and Pops shared a little about how the accident has changed them, their marriage, and their future and how God has shown Himself to be absolutely faithful. Through tears my dad spoke about how mom would show up every single day to the hospital for almost six months, even when he said she didn't have to, and how that spoke so much to him of how much she loved him, and in turn how much he loved her. I'm not sure I've ever seen him look at her the way he does now...so much love and appreciation. It's very precious. To see their marriage so strong in the midst of a situation that just as easily could have destroyed them, it just makes you realize that with Christ all things are possible. I think that's how, among other ways, God is using them to reach others. People see them and expect sorrow, pain, and bitterness. But instead they are joyful, peaceful, laughing...a living example of faith and having trust that God will see them through. It's truly an amazing thing to watch as God's plan unfolds before us. The Easter quote of the day came after an amazing dinner at the Johnson's, when dad leaned back in his chair and said, "Whew. I'm so full I can barely walk."

They still have the occasional 'quad drama'...like the blocked Supra Pubic catheter (really not as exciting as the name implies) that sent him to the hospital, or the time his electronic inflatable mattress that usually turns him all night long went on the fritz and unknowingly deflated in the middle of the night and in the morning mom woke to find dad enveloped in the deflated mattress like some sort of 'man-taco', or like when they're late for a doctor appointment because mom is a half mile down the road chasing after the ever-submissive Lulu who refuses to get in the car (did I mention that she responds to approximately zero verbal commands, including "heel", "come", and "get your ass in the car"?) But they get through it, usually with a good amount of laughter and occasionally a few tears.

There's a sign that hangs in their condo that says, "Forever for always, no matter what". How perfect. They are an amazing example of a Godly marriage, that no matter what happens, you choose joy, you move forward, and you trust God...together. Forever, for always, no matter what.

They amaze me. They simply amaze me. Mom, cheerfully tackling the many demands of being a caretaker/wife, and Pops, sweeter than ever, pushing past the nerve pain and the inevitable quad drama...and both continuing to choose joy. I am so proud of them. And so thankful that in every trial they have yet to encounter, Christ promises to see them through.

Forever, for always, no matter what.