Dottie Was With Me

I have made a whirlwind trip to Delray Beach Florida and back this week and internet access was limited. I did get on their computer once and made a small blog but travel and exhaustion kept me from some days. This week last year I was lucky to have Dottie with me. Marsha was not doing particularly well. It was difficult to get her to get dressed or to shower or to do any of the things she would never have neglected if she was well. Partly she did not want help and she knew she couldn't do it herself. I managed to do just enough to help her into the shower without looking one day, but eventually she relented and let Dottie help her. I'm someone who people say brings a calming influence to many situations, but Dottie was definitely a calming influence in these days. She was not only helpful with Marsha, she was helpful to me. She gave me space when I needed it, and yet she was available for some just relaxed conversation. Marsha had gotten to the place where relaxed pleasant conversation was not possible. Not doing well meant she was needy in so many ways. This very strong independent woman that I had been married to for so long was now a shell of herself. It seemed like she could accomplish nothing on her own except sleep and that was limited at best. Dottie really helped both of us for this week. I know she loved her sister and I know she loves me and that showed in her care for both of us. I know I thanked her many times for what she did, but I don't think I could have thanked her enough. She and Pat (my friend next door) even found time to support one another. Just another way that God provided what I needed. Some of what I needed was internal and spiritual and some things required a God with skin on. He supplied all of it as was needed one day after another.