Our Taiwanese Family

It seems to me that life brings a series of extremes with little time for what could be called "balance". I find that I'm a person that usually longs for a balanced life. By that I mean a perfect combination of time to pursue my own interests and those of others. But life usually brings just the opposite; lots of time for personal stuff or lots of time filled with the needs of others. I suppose the balance comes at the end of a life, looking back at the final combination of things. I find that most of my time is taken up with others. Of the two choices, I prefer the people. We've had lots of that lately.

(Bottom picture shows Ben's son William's family birthday celebration. The kids always take quite an interest in presents, no matter whose they are. In the top picture you see the kids on a museum outing. Can you tell which are my Chinese babes?)

Son Gerald and his wife Frances live in Taiwan, where they own two English schools. They love their work. Their two children, Seth and Angelica, are very busy attending school. Things in Taiwan, according to Gerald, are very busy for just about everyone. There is little time for family or fun, he says. So when they stayed with us this past week the kids really got into "fun." Sons Reed and Ben and families spent time with us during their visit, so there was lots of action around here. That is my excuse for not writing sooner.








(Here you see the grandbabes playing Family Home Evening games and playing in the back yard mud.)

When I was younger, I loved talking to people and getting an understanding of what they were about. I find that I do very little of that now. But when Gerald visits, intimate discussions seem to emerge. It is fun to delve into one another's thoughts. There seems to be few opportunities to do that these days. Gerald is my bonding son. He always has things that need saying. I enjoy that. I love his Frances too. She is a bright, good woman. Our visit with them was quite enjoyable.

Mom had an "event" a week or so ago. She didn't feel well. She was sitting in her wheel chair when she turned pale, broke out in a cold sweat, lifted up her head, rolled her eyes back, open her mouth and babbled incoherently. It only lasted a few seconds and she was back to normal. It frightened me. I put her to bed and checked her for signs of a stroke. None appeared. I was alone with her at the time but when Cliff and Layne returned home I had Cliff check her out. She appeared to be fine. I've no idea why she should have experienced such a thing and it put me in mind that she may be getting ready to leave us. I wonder if I am being prepared for that. I will find it hard when that time comes. I feel my mother in my bones.

Gerald and family left on Friday morning. Our house is quiet once again. I have spent much of the time cleaning things up. I find that task helps me to miss them less. Busy-ness seems to be a cure for loneliness. Soon things begin to feel normal again. The house feels peaceful rather than empty.





(In these photos you see Dorothy and foster baby (Reed and Dorothy are providing foster care for babies now), Frances and Gerald, and Gerald telling Mom goodbye.)