Diamonds in the Sky
We had them right outside our front door yesterday! Diamonds in the sky. I had a most beautimous picture I’ve tried to share, but it won’t upload. Says the file is too big. 
We had some ice and snow Thursday night through Saturday morning. Folks just north of us got a LOT of snow; we probably got a couple of inches. Yesterday morning, the sun shone brightly, and the trees against the sky, covered in ice, were more beautiful than I can describe. I’m disappointed I can’t upload the pictures, but thought I’d tell you about it anyway.
And for another kind of diamond in the sky————that’s one way I like to think about my loved ones who’ve gone on before———–as diamonds in the landscape of heaven.
I have a Facebook friend that, hopefully (and you’ll understand my use of that word a few paragraphs down), will become one of those diamonds soon. I’ve spoken of him before. His name is Paul. He attended Harding University with another friend of mine that I’ve known since babyhood. Paul found out, sometime last year, that he has ALS. He was living in Arkansas but now is in Alabama where his family is, and his dad is trying to take care of him. Recently, he was in ICU but that’s all that was shared on Facebook by his friend who keeps us updated on his condition. I’m going to insert his “confession,” that he put on Facebook.
I think this may affect you the way it did me. We all have problems and trials in our lives, and I won’t minimize those. But this put some perspective in it for me.
Paul’s own words:
this is hard for me to come clean about but i feel i must….
a few weeks ago i was in the ICU for quite awhile, i’d like to thank all of you for your prayers and your concern. i’d also like to thank lisa for respecting my privacy as far as the details were concerned.
the fact is, i attempted suicide.
as upbeat as i’m trying to be this disease is taking it’s toll. remember dr jack kevorkian (the assisted-suicide doctor now in prison)? all of the people he assisted (except two) were ALS patients.
all i do now is eat sleep, laptop and tv – my diet consists of pudding, rice dishes, baby food, etc…the last time dad tried to take me to walmart to get me out of the house was a disaster. i feel so totally hopeless sometimes. the medical bills keep piling up, my dad is wearing himself out taking care of me and i’m very likely to not to even last the year.
ALS is the exact opposite of having alzheimer’s… alzheimer’s patients have no idea what happens from moment to moment – the brain doesn’t work, but the body does.
with ALS, i can taste, touch, smell, see, and hear… i just can’t move… my brain works just fine – totally aware of everything going on around me, just sitting here propped up with my wrists on my laptop slowly typing.
however i’m now seeing a psychiatrist (via telephone) so i’m in a much better place about my situation..
i want to apologize to all of you for me trying to give up. i feel i’ve failed you all, but it’s so hard to stay positive sometimes these days.
please forgive me….. i learn from my mistakes….. and i love you all…
All I can think to say at this point is, God bless Paul’s sweet heart. I can’t even begin to imagine what he’s feeling, or the measure of desperation and hopelessness he had to feel to try and end his life. I’d like to ask you to pray for Paul. I will be praying for him. I’m just not sure what to pray for, except relief from this disease…………and for spiritual, emotional and physical comfort and peace.
Now on to some smiles:
- Phil’s delight in the red car parked in the driveway.
- Being able to be OUT OF THE HOUSE TODAY, even if it was to clean Mr. C’s house.
- Good dinner. Baked spaghetti and fresh asparagus, with a side dish of sauerkraut and smoked sausage.
- Some more of Hailey’s ruminations on Facebook.
- I’ve made a concrete decision to give up one of my farms on FB. I’ve sold off all my property and converted the whole farm to crops. As soon as I get to one million coins, I’m gonna retire that one.
- Talking to my cousin, Les, today. Subject was grim, but he makes me laugh, anyway.
- Got an order of pictures from Snapfish today. Some were a little old; there were several of Barney when he was a LITTLE kitten.
See you tomorrow. And may God bless.
Judy Poyner
February 1st, 2010 at 6:59 pm
I’ve known a few to die from that horrible disease … can’t even begin to imagine how one faces that. Thanks for sharing. Sure makes my “problems” shrink to all but nothing.
February 6th, 2010 at 9:35 am
What a heartbreaking situation. As Greg say, my problems pale in comparison. Thank you for sharing this story, another reminder to count our blessings. My heart and prayers are with Paul and his family.
February 6th, 2010 at 9:35 am
oops! shoud be “said”