Sisterly Love

Susie had a Super Tuesday!

She had a sweet visit from her entertainment crew that was organized by her last year. Non other than Little Ruthie and the Shot Sisters - Donna Whaley, Penny Manning and Ruth Fostmeier.

Here they are as organized by Susie for the Elkmont Fireflies event in June 2019

The tag on Penny’s shirt says Sunrise Sisters because she and Susie always walk early in the morning when camping and usually get to see the Sunrise!

Their lovely hats are called Fascinators and Ruth is the originator of those. Susie thought it would be fun to make some while they visited but due to restrictions they could not bring stuff in so they brought them already made.  

The facility would not allow Susie’s Fascinator to come in so she sported a cute cap she already had. Look how beautiful she is!

But never fear! Susie’s Fascinator is near! They left it for her and maybe she can get it later!

The ladies had a lovely time and even serenaded Susie with Ukulele and song!

Susie took these pics from her view. 

As the ladies were traveling back home, Susie and family received word that the facility is starting to allow family to come inside and visit in person. There are restrictions but they will be able to touch!

Here are some heartfelt words from the sisters:

Donna:  We enjoyed seeing our friend in her beautiful surroundings but are so happy they have eased the restrictions to allow people to visit inside. It will be such a comfort for her and family. Her eyes still sparkle, her smile was radiant and her heart still sweet for her friends. I can’t help but wonder if they decided to allow people indoors after our serenade on the patio?  Maybe we should have tried this sooner. 

Ruth:  Such a sweet friend.... always a smile.... she uplifts my soul

Penny:  although Susie is burdened with this terrible illness the spirit that is Susie is still there. She made us all laugh at Donna’s hat with the corncob in it and smiled when we said she looks like Sinead O’Conner. Felt like old friends together again. 

I tell you that all four of these ladies are preciously special. I am so glad to be blessed with them in  my life and I know they brought Joy to Susie’s day as they each bring me joy too. Thank you ladies for sharing these pictures and words with all of us.   

The rest of the week brings touchable visits for Susie with John, Frank and Jack. 

Have a great evening and stay safe. 

Sherry

Satisfying Sunday

I spoke with Susie today. She has had visits from Frank and John this weekend. Frank always checks to make sure she has everything she wants and needs.  Rebecca has kept her in her favorite candy.

She has finally relaxed in her new surroundings and even started on a new floral cross stitch project. Today she had a nap which she rarely does but says she enjoyed it and may take another one. Susie chooses to focus on her “I can list” which is encouraging to her.

She thanks you for your continued thoughts, prayers and cards!

I hope each of you have a safe and healthy week ahead.
Sherry

Long way to go

You can’t do all that must be done. Yet you can do something.

So go ahead, and do something, now, and whenever you can. Don’t let the overwhelming nature of the challenge compromise your ability to make real, meaningful progress.

You’ll never learn every detail you’d like to know. Yet you can always learn something, and then learn more.

There’s always room for improvement. So go ahead and improve, yourself, your world, the lives of those around you.

Though you won’t ever have all the answers, you can find more and more each day. When the road ahead is long, steep, and winding, take the next step.

In fact, choose to be thankful that you have a long way to go. And with love, with purpose, with curiosity and enthusiasm, keep going.

— Ralph Marston

Envision, imagine, dream, love       

What has Susie been up to?

Hi everyone. Susie has been taking a few days to rest and spend time with a few window visitors she is allowed to have. She has spent more time with John, Jack and Frank.

This morning she told me her physical therapy staff put her in the wheelchair and rolled her out into the hallway. She was busted though and they made her go back in her room due to social distancing.

She said she was going to get in the wheelchair and investigate all of the drawers in her room because she hasn’t even had time to know what is where. She has received so many cards and looks forward to opening them. She is doing well and enjoying her new home.

I wanted to share this inspiration with you because this is exactly what Susie is doing.

Wish you had done

In a few hours, in a couple of weeks, what will you wish you had done right now? This is your chance, your only chance, to make that wish come true. 

Later this month, later this year, what will you regret not taking care of today? Now is your opportunity to avoid the pain of that regret. 

You know from past experience that it’s easier to go ahead and get your work done than it is to keep putting it off. Yet that realization is somehow not as compelling for the work you must now do. 

So project your thoughts ahead into the future. Envision a time when the actions you can take now, have become the things you desperately wish you had done sooner. 

Imagine how it will be to know you could have acted but you didn’t, to know you wasted a good opportunity. Feel the power you have, right now, to create a much more positive, desirable outcome. 

Then, with a renewed sense of gratitude and determination, get going. Act today to make your future one you’ll welcome, appreciate, and enjoy. 

— Ralph Marston

Accept it       

Good morning everyone!  I hope that you have been able to find joy in this very different time we are living in.

Susie is entering a time where she needs to focus on things near and dear to her and conserve her energy for the most important things. Her hope is to continue showing joy through this life she is living. She asked me to share some inspiration with you. I believe this is perfect for where Susie is and hope you will find it useful too. Our posts will continue, but may be less frequent as we allow Susie to rest and focus on completing this journey. That doesn’t mean the end is here but Susie needs rest.  Trust that I will keep you posted as we continue to be in communication.

The nursing staff requests that all mail be limited to cards and notes ~ Susie is so loved, they may have had to hire a mail clerk 😉.  Susie can feel your love and prayers but please no calls or texts so she won’t feel obligated to respond. Even though you wouldn’t expect a response, that’s our Susie!

Sherry

Treasure of wisdom

You have great wisdom, earned day after day over the years of your life. Don’t let that wisdom lie dormant, trapped in old experiences and forgotten words.

As every new day arrives, you can put that wisdom to use. As well-established in the past as your wisdom may be, it is always relevant in the present.

The fact is, you have an excellent sense of what to do, of what to avoid, of what to revere, of what to dismiss. Pay attention to that sense, and follow its guidance.

If something seems too good to be true, it very likely is. Rather than hoping that your wisdom is wrong, assume that it is right.

Your victories, your defeats, your disappointments and your joys, all empower you now to make your best choices. Life gets better when you learn from it and make good use of what you’ve learned.

Keep yourself connected to the growing treasure of wisdom that’s always yours. And keep your life going in a successful direction.

— Ralph Marston

Take good care       

Copyright ©2020 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. All Rights Reserved. The Daily Motivator is provided for your personal, non-commercial use only. Other than personal sharing, please do not re-distribute without permission.

Restful Days are Good

Hi everyone!  Susie has been resting the past couple of days. She has sent me some pictures to share with you to show the peaceful beauty she is surrounded by. Today, she texted that she has a new stack of cards to open and it is another Christmas with all she has to open. I asked her if she had a letter opener and she said “no she just used her finger” so I sent her two in case she wears one out!

Tuesday, April 14

Afternoon nap under her ladies guild quilt while looking at the lake between naps.

Wednesday’s Beauty, April 15

Beautiful card from Susie’s cousin Keith and his wife Lisa - this is sure the truth about the difference Susie has and is making in our lives. 

Susie said this sure brightened her day along with the many other cards she continues to receive. 

Susie thanks all of you for your kindness, care and continued prayers. She also like seeing how many have read the blog. It gives her momentum!  

Never a Pink kind of Girl

My morning catch up with Susie included a funny story from her. I wish we had time and she had the voice strength to just let her tell me more stories!  She always makes me laugh and I could listen for hours!

Susie’s story...

I was the oldest of four children growing up in Richmond, VA.  I had Three tough little brothers and my cousins were all boys too. I really didn’t have much pink in my wardrobe because I was with boys all of the time.  This card is exactly how I picture myself at age eleven.

There were no ruffles or bows because my family was a golfing family. We always wore button downs and I had a white sweater. I never knew that a purse or shoes came in any color but black or brown. I was the young catholic girl who wore the typical school girl clothing.

I hope through this blog you can find some joy and laugh a little because that will make me happy.  There are tough times and it’s  not all rainbows and unicorns but there is JOY!

Please note the official mailing address for Susie is:

Susie Sullivan
Lakeside Rm 5706
Baptist Reynolds Hospice House
1520 W Poplar Ave
Collierville, TN 38017

Please, no flowers but only cards!
Sherry

A Different Kind of Easter Blessing

Words from Susie’s BFF Rebecca......

Susie is doing well.  She said the nurse was able to get her comfortable and she was able to rest.

In typical Susie fashion, she asked me to post how my family and I are celebrating Easter while observing social distancing.

Although I live within one hour of both of my children, we are no longer visiting in person.  Being apart from the “big” kids is difficult, but not being able to hug and love on the little guys hurts.  Being a Gigi during a pandemic is challenging.

In our family, the kitchen has always been the most important room in our home.  My father-in-law was a chef, my husband wooed me when we were dating by preparing delicious meals for me, and I have always loved to cook.  Both of our children are skilled in the kitchen and enjoy cooking as well.

My husband and I were planning a magnificent Easter dinner.  Patricia Wells’ leg of lamb roasted on a bed of rosemary, Jacques Pepin’s Gratin Dauphinois, marinated artichokes and mushrooms, sautéed asparagus, and Ina Garten’s Limoncello cheesecake.

Under different circumstances, our family would have gathered around the table to enjoy this meal with us, but since that isn’t possible, I sent the menu and recipes to my children.  Byron, our son, wanted to prepare it for his family.

It makes me happy to know his family will have a wonderful Easter celebration in their home and they will continue our family tradition of showing love by taking the time and effort to lovingly prepare an amazing meal for those those most important to you.

COVID may be keeping us physically apart, but we can still remain connected the way we always have, through great cuisine and wonderful dining experiences.  This is how our family is celebrating and we are grateful for the love we feel which transcends the miles between us.

Happy Easter!

Susie is resting today after a few days of through the glass visits including fun pictures and videos with her dear family. She wants you to see the beauty she is surrounded with and know the joy she continues to have daily. Here are some pictures of her surroundings as provided by Jack at her request.

There is a plaque on the wall in Susie’s room that she reads daily and holds to:
I believe the scripture is:  Hebrews 13:5 “Never will I leave you or forsake you”
Susie, please correct me if I’m wrong on the verse!

Susie having a Tagalong Easter snack

Stock photo of Susie’s type of room

 The view from Susie’s windows

Porch view from Susie’s patio

Pond that Susie can see from her room. 

Entry of Baptist Reynolds Hospice House. 

May you find joy in the Lord and His blessings for you today as He continues to bless Susie and her family with these special memories. Your continued prayers for them are appreciated!  He Is Risen!

Happy Easter to you and yours!

Sherry Rich

Just so you know the joy you bring to Susie by reading this blog, I share with her a few times per week how many views there have been. Here is today’s stats. In true Susie fashion, she credits me for this but we all know that the amazing subject is the reason for these views. Thank you again for reading!

Good Friday brings Susie’s 2020 Easter Egg Hunt!

Susie has always enjoyed planning fun times for her grandchildren. This year is to be no different!  Susie took to her note cards and wrote out all the details she wanted to take place.

Jack retrieved his instructions from the front desk where they can pick up and leave things to be given to Susie and went to work. He had the help of family members Cheri and Megan who live in Memphis.  Having such a great village of family in Memphis is very helpful.

While Jack was carrying out his instructions, Susie went to work fashioning her 2020 Easter bonnet.
You and I both know that nothing stops Susie from accomplishing a task. She shared with me that she did not have scissors so she CHEWED the stems off these flowers and had the nurses tape them to her hat!  I can just see her with flower stems all in her teeth but she cleaned up nicely before modeling this picture.

Then came the Easter Egg hunt!  The hunt took place at Cheri’s house and was attended by Jack’s children.  Frank’s son is currently with his mother’s family.  

Here are a few pictures from the fun.  Susie was able to enjoy multiple videos of the action.  Susie adores time with these children.  She has told me of the fun she has had with each one.  She also says that her oldest grandson is a genius!

Susie plans to be resting most of today. She appreciates your continued prayers and feels them constantly. This morning she shared with me that she doesn’t know how people go through this without God. She has felt him with her every step of the way.