“Life is like a kaleidoscope of seasons, each one a unique and beautiful experience.”

My Aunt Blanche passed away this morning. She was 90. She had a peaceful departure, I’m told, and I thank God for that. She was blessed with a long life but it wasn’t an easy life.

When I think back to my childhood days, a lot of my memories are in black and white. But then there are those rich in color, beautifully exaggerated and uniquely brilliant from every angle. That was my Aunt Blanche. My memories will forever hold her in living color.

I see her in my mind’s eye now, always with her red wavy hair and makeup done just right. In my mind, she is a sort of caricature with a smile so big you couldn’t stop your lips from smiling back if you tried.

She was a fantastic cook and never let you visit without offering you a meal. She gave great hugs and always talked to you like you mattered, whatever age you happened to be. She was generous and kind. And she more than mattered.

***

This past week was extremely stressful, difficult and just plain old depressing. Mike was not able to get anywhere with his family care doctor on Friday for treatment of the kidney stone. Nor did they try to clear up the prescription issue, so they basically left him to suffer with no treatment or pain medication.

The pain was unrelenting Friday night and all day Saturday. Early Sunday, Mike was awake from 3 am on moaning and groaning in pain. I decided at 6 am to bring him to Ellis ER. I was literally sick to my stomach listening to him suffer and all I could do was give him heat packs and rub his back.

I have to say Ellis ER was incredible. They took Mike right back and got him comfortable. The urologist came pretty quick to look at his scans and bloodwork and agreed that surgical intervention was necessary. Being a Sunday, we were told how rare it is that they do anything other than admit patients and keep them comfortable until Monday. Not to mention it was Father’s Day. Mike didn’t want to spend his day there but he was grateful that the doctor was not going to make him wait another 24 hours for relief.

Unfortunately, the urologist couldn’t grab the stone that was lodged in his ureter but he was able to insert a stent that enlarged the urethra to help the stone pass more easily.

Although Mike is no longer in excruciating pain, he still has a few more days of discomfort and painful urination to get through. But he’s able to sleep much better and get out of bed easier in the mornings.

Today, the urologist removed the stent which, as you can imagine, is painful and unpleasant.

Mike is still without pain meds. I can’t say much more because I won’t be able to stop and it’s wasted energy and emotion at this point.

Theoretically, on paper, Mike should be all set to concentrate on his therapy and focus on his mobility without the pain interfering. We are both looking forward to that. I am setting up a daily schedule for him of things he can work on by himself or with minimal assistance to help him feel in control again. These setbacks have been emotionally draining for us both, but we are trying hard to put them in the rear view mirror and keep them there.

***

Today is the official first day of summer. The start of a new season brings so much hope for better days to come. Every season has its own beautiful purpose, and sometimes those can be the most difficult ones to endure and understand.

Embracing the changes that come with every season is an opportunity for growth, a test of faith and a way to build a stronger relationship with God. Mike has acknowledged this for himself.

In fact, the Malta Drive-In is holding a zombie movie night where they will show 28 Years Later, then Until Dawn, and people dressed as zombies will run around the grounds. Wicked cool, I know!! I proposed this to Mike as a fun date night for us Saturday night.

Mike’s first reaction was “hell, yeah”. But after a minute or two, he surprisingly said he didn’t think it was a good idea right now, because he wants to be sure he won’t have any problem getting up Sunday morning for church and we will be out late at the drive-in. (I hadn’t even thought of that.)

There is a season, turn, turn, turn.