Jones Family Updates

Wednesday we went to the movies. Although, Thor might not have been her first choice, we again sat in a movie theater together. Even though nothing is normal for us, sitting through a movie is a brief moment in time where we are on a date. Recently, I have noticed that Kathie seems to recognize the times I am with her. Sometimes I even feel a bond where we realize that we are going through this together, not just as individuals. I consider this a blessing and I thank God for the connection I have with Kath. Take care, Dave & Kathie

From today's Streams in the Desert: "In nothing be anxious" (Phil. 4:6). "No anxiety ought to be found in a believer. Great, many and varied may be our trials, our afflictions, our difficulties, and yet there should be no anxiety under any circumstances, because we have a Father in Heaven who is almighty, who loves His children as He loves His only-begotten Son, and whose very joy and delight it is to succor and help them at all times and under all circumstances. We should attend to the Word, "In nothing be anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." ..." Sitting and praying next to Kathie brings its share of anxiety, I work very hard to push back on anxiety, my bible study and prayers are the only way I continue to remind myself that my Heavenly Father is almighty. Last weekend, was Family Weekend at NAU in Flagstaff, a highlight for...

Tuesday the 29th was our 25th Wedding Anniversary. I took Kathie to a nearby mall, she got 2 blouses and I got a refrigerator water filter (maybe I'll paint it silver for the anniversary). Good trip, we had fun looking at the stores. As with each trip, something unexpected or unique happens. This trip, a young woman (20's) walked by us then came back and asked to pray with Kathie. I said, yes and listened as this stranger asked that Kathie would be comfortable and not have any pain, then she said thank you, smiled and walked on. Moments like this happen to us and I just listen and take it in. After we returned to Care Meridian, I gave Kathie her bath then sat with her through the afternoon. Each time I'm with her, I kiss her multiple times and let her know that, "she is the prettiest girl in the world." Next week we note the anniversary of our accident, 12 years. September 5, 2005. Dave & Kathie

On July 11th, I took Kathie to another movie. This is the second time we've gone to a movie since our accident and I'm liking this outing. We went with a group from her care facility to see the new Spiderman movie. Kathie and I sit in the disabled row and I turn her wheelchair so her right side faces the screen (she sees better on her right). I purchase popcorn and m&m's (her favorite combination) and with my "clean hand," I rub her neck or arm while we watch. I'm very grateful for this small, normal, time with her. Last weekend, our daughter Madison was involved in a car accident. She was not injured and with minimal damage to her car. A reckless driver clipped her car at a high rate of speed and went on to cause four other cars to crash (amazing that no injuries happened). On my way to the accident scene, I began thinking of our accident scene, Madison also was experiencing the same thoughts as did Hannah as I let her know of the accident. Once we all ...

Kathie is doing well. When she is in her wheelchair, I usually rub her shoulders, her eye blinks slow, she relaxes and falls to sleep... until I stopped then she looked around for me as if to say, "there is no reason to stop." After her bath, Kathie usually looks to her right at a light and a mirror.  I blow dry her hair, she scrunches her face and turns her head left, away from the blow drier. Once I'm done and turn off the blow drier, she will open her eyes, move her head and look again to her right. This may seem very trite to you but it is amazing to me to see purposeful movement in a person with such a brain injury. I am amazed each time I see her make such a move. School is out, summer is starting, this is Kathie's favorite time of the year. Dave & Kathie

We celebrated Mother's Day. I didn't have the same energy to search for a card or cards as I have in years past. I ended up getting a card for my Mom and a card for Kathie from me. Reading the card to Kathie, year after year, without a response can be discouraging but I continue to read out-loud. Both Madison and Hannah worked for a florist-friend again this year. I drop by the shop and say "hello" to the staff and owner. Each year, I'm struck by the fact that our daughters are so involved in helping so many people celebrate Mother's Day when they have their own struggles with the Day. As in years past, Hannah made beautiful flower arrangement for her Grandmother and Mother. I had trouble telling the arrangements apart and was schooled on which flower belonged to whom. Kathie's arrangement always has Iris's in the mix. It is no coincidence that the Girls help so many celebrate, I believe God's hand is in their service and they in turn feel a ...

I thought Kathie might make it through the cold and flu season unscathed this year but no it happened. Kathie had that sick look a week ago and symptoms appeared Sunday. Fortunately, we move pretty quickly, her doctor prescribed antibiotics, Tylenol and Robitussin were administered. Still, coughing scares Kathie and she responds like an infant that is sick, she really doesn't like any part of sickness and will verbally let us know. Further, she is laying down in a bed, try coughing from that position when you are sick and you will understand her difficulty. I actually like that since I had the tracheotomy reversed years ago, she will now take a deep breath then "bellow" or cry out which lets everyone know she is in pain. As of Thursday night, she had some minor discomfort in her cough and I'm pleased with her progress and quick healing. Kathie is on the road to recovery. Blessings at Easter, Dave & Kathie

Kathie and I watched the last minutes of the Superbowl together. It was a strange afternoon for me, for some reason I was missing being with her. I completed my afternoon run then sat by her bedside. Life for us has been quiet, no major heath concerns and I just focus on her overall care. I was struck by the writings of Oswald Chambers last night and I am working on my listening now: If I am united with Jesus Christ, I hear God all the time through the devotion of hearing. A flower, a tree, or a servant of God may convey God’s message to me. What hinders me from hearing is my attention to other things. It is not that I don’t want to hear God, but I am not devoted in the right areas of my life. I am devoted to things and even to service and my own convictions. God may say whatever He wants, but I just don’t hear Him. The attitude of a child of God should always be, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” If I have not developed and nurtured this devotion of hearing, I can only hear ...

Last Thursday, for the first time in 11 years, Kathie and I went to a movie theater. This month, her care facility was going on an outing and I decided that we would join the event. Kathie seems to "see" best when looking to her right, so I positioned her wheelchair accordingly and sat next to her. She seemed amazed at such a large screen with big sounds as a child would. We enjoyed our movie date. Our holidays were good, busy and our family gathered at our house to celebrate Christmas. Obviously, there are the thoughts of missing Kathie at our celebration and I sit with her each Christmas night recounting our day while holding her hand. I still mark Halloween to New Year's Day as the holiday season. The holiday season after our accident, I was overwhelmed at our loss and did everything I could for the children, to create the holidays in a similar style that Kathie had taught me. New Year's Day I acknowledge a sigh of relief although we did have a good time. Bless...