Physical/Dental Checkup

Last week was the first time in a long time that I failed to prepare my weekly WOW.  I kept putting it off and the next things I knew the week was gone.  Oh well, time to pick up and move on.   My next big project is to install an automatic door opener on one of our garage doors.   The door that already has an opener has been uninhabited by a vehicle for several years.   Jerilyn’s Toyota Corolla was sold several years ago and our other two vehicles (Buick Riviera & Dodge Ram) are too long to fit because the steps leading into the garage from the house protrude too far.   The book that came with the opener looks like a small encyclopedia.  I must say, I am a little intimidated by the size of the task before me.   I will   keep you posted on my travails.

November is the month that I normally use to get my yearly physical and semiannual dental checkup.   I always dread this month because of those two details.   In addition this year my prostrate test required me to get a biopsy.  To further complicate my life, my dentist found a small cavity that he insisted he could take care of without Novocain.  During my checkup last year I received a flu/pneumonia shot, this year it will be flu/tetanus.  Now, I know that as I get older, doctors become an important part of my life.  I know they are key to the likelihood that I will live much longer and in good health.  I also know that I am blessed, that others cannot afford the luxury of having annual checkups and necessary dental care.   It makes me feel so small to bemoan the blessings bestowed upon me when others do without.   I’ve got to work on that.

I have started converting my home videos to a digital format.   Three of my oldest are in Beta Max format, so up in the attic I went to fetch my Beta Max machine, dust it off, and hook it up to my digital recorder (DVR).  Lo and behold, there in front of me were my parents (both passed away almost 20 years ago).   Tears streamed down my face as I watched them.   I had given up on ever seeing them again (I had forgotten about the tapes).  Mom’s familiar laugh, Dad’s grumblings, all brought back wonderful memories of them.   There, on those tapes, were so many cherished relatives that have passed on to the other side.   I think, regardless of age, we all enjoy reminiscing.  My stroll down memory lane always leaves me feeling good.   Our memories help sustain us and encourage us to create more memorable moments.  It is strange the things we remember.   The video taken of Dad a few months before he died brought back the memory of me asking him to let me take the pictures of him.   He acquiesced and did whatever I asked him to do even though he wasn’t feeling very well on that particular day.   I remember thinking “he knows he doesn’t have long and he is doing this so Jerry and I will have this when he passesâ€.    I hope to do the same for my children.

My Uncle KD’s cancer has gotten worse.  The chemo he has taken for the past 3 months had no effect and the size of the cancer in different places in his body has increased.  His doctor has gone to a conference in New York City and hopes to come back with a new battle plan.  My Cousin Jesse’s cancer battle continues and he seems to be making some progress.   He has placed his battle in the hands of The Lord.   I pray for both of them every day.  Jerilyn’s mother (Gladys) is making some progress in her recovery from a fractured vertebra.  She is still in the Health Care unit of her retirement community.   We are hoping she will be able to go back to her apartment in the Independed section in 3-4 weeks.   I am looking forward to visiting my brother (Jerry) and his wife (Patty) next week.

Well, I need to close this and start installing the garage door opener mentioned above.    I hope you’re enjoying your autumn, or whatever season it is in your part of the world

Tommy

“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.”

Mark Twain