I babysat my grandsons from 9-5 last Saturday. I kept having flashbacks to 2014, when I became a grandmother mother overnight when my then daughter in law passed away suddenly from toxic shock syndrome. I only had two grandsons then, ages 5 and 2. Now I have 3: ages 8, 4, and 18 months. I was exhausted at the end of the day. I think I have been fighting off some virus which is making me more tired than usual. My husband Lawrence was very ill with a fever, chills, muscle aches, exhaustion, etc., on Sunday. He didn’t feel well Saturday either and was no help at all with the grandchildren, which is normal anyway. He loves to take their pictures, though. I love spending time with my grandsons, but it is the hardest non-paying job in the world. And we need money now more than ever. I have to spend more time out in the community meeting people and getting the word out about what we do here.

Sunday I took time away from my sick husband and dependent mother in law to help lead a walking as exercise session at the Chinese Church. I didn’t really feel up to it, but I was happy to meet everyone and truly enjoyed the time I was there. I dated a Chinese man and considered marriage just before I met and married my husband Lawrence, and being at the Chinese church stirred up those memories. I appreciate and enjoy cultural differences, and the Chinese culture in particular, but decided back then that life would be more difficult for us and our children if we married. I also was reminded of my friend Qian Zhong, who was a fellow student and favorite companion during the time I was working on my Master’s of Healthcare Administration. I have lost touch with her since she moved away. I wonder what she is up to these days? Her Facebook page is ambiguous….

We are offering a free day of loving care from 10-6 on March 25 to give caregivers a break. We will need an emergency contact form filled out, a liability release and some basic health information. Our nurse will be here to do a brief assessment and she will take vital signs and blood sugar levels, if requested. We are also offering some spa treatments. Please help us spread the word!

And please come to visit anytime—if you would like to meet with me please call ahead: 859 539 2147—thank you!

May God bless your first week of March!

DG