Christmas at the Joneses

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Deke reading the Christmas story while we all placed the miniature nativity on top of the cake. We then sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. Ashley (Emily's friend from college days), Emily, Mama Jo and Deke.

Christmas morning celebrants!

Mama Jo in her new sweater from the Porter clans

Some of the Jones Family gathered together on the 26th for Pizza King and banana splits!

Monday Morning in Indiana

Mama Jo back at her post rocking babies in the church daycare on Monday morning.

Cindy at her duty substituting for receptionist at the church office

Deke at his duty keeping the wheels turning and greased as church administrator

Saturday's A-Comin'

The stroke has definitely taken an additional toll on Mom. She has dropped down another notch in the cognitive department but her mobility has returned completely (albeit a little slower). I notice that she can't think through processes; can't decide what to do next or where to go. She needs me to suggest or outright tell her what to do. Afterward, she'll say, "Thank you so much."

Very quiet. Deke said last night that her personality has changed again. She's not as happy as she was before the stroke. Seems more subdued. More withdrawn. More resistant. Less with us and more with that other world she lives in. She has a wrinkled brow as if she is in pain all the time. However, every stroke effects her eyes; it's a sure tell-tale to what's happened so that may disappear with time as it has in the past.

This Saturday Mom is getting a perm. She's in desperate need and will look 100% better once Rene does her magic. What lady doesn't feel better when her hair looks good!

So I'll leave you with food for thought using a take-off of one of Tony Campolo's famous speeches quoting a black preacher: "It's Thursday, but Saturday's A-Comin'!"

Mama Jo Has Had a Stroke

Mama Jo has had a stroke. I think it's what is called a TIA which is a precursor to the really big one on down the road. She has had at least 3 of these since living with us. Last night, however, was a little more severe than "normal."

Our day was busy going to Frankfort and all, but she didn't show any abnormality. She got extremely quiet when we watched TV last night and when I would ask her a question, she would be very slow to answer. After a couple of hours, we all agreed we needed to go to bed and started to rise from the sectional. She could not stand up. Deke helped her stand to her feet and they stood there for 2-3 minutes for Mom to get steadied. Our next hurdle was going up the stairs. Her left hand and left leg were not functioning well so it was difficult for her to climb. We finally made it to the top and got to the bathroom. She could not use her left hand to get her pants down or grab the toilet paper. We got half her pajamas on and forgot the rest.

Deke checked her at 2 and I checked her at 5. I was surprised to find her in the bathroom at 7 and she seemed a little more with it. Her arm and leg were functioning normally again but her thinking was still muddled. Very quiet, very slow. We got dressed and went to church. She walked the halls and attended my Sunday school class as usual but you could just tell she wasn't herself.

We are now home from church and I am preparing lunch. Deke is making a hospital call. Mom is sitting in her chair in the livingroom with an afghan draped over body with her head hanging to her chin.

There has never been a more resilient woman born so I have great faith that she will pop out of this in a day or two. And if not, we go on to the next step of living. I told Deke, It's tough to be born and it's tough to die.

Pray for Mama Jo. Pray that God's will be done. Pray that when He takes her home, it will be swift and beautiful.

A Day at the Manor

We got up early to travel to Frankfort to help Grandma Mary with her Christmas letter.

The son hard at work getting things straightened out to get the letter sent via email.

Grandma Mary and Mama Jo hard at work on a jigsaw puzzle.

She's Home!

Mama Jo flew into Indy airport last evening amid a snowstorm. She about froze to death getting from the front door of the airport into the car! She misses Houston! I took another picture of her as she walked out of the plane ramp but it was so blurry and bad I could not use it. I'll post more later. Just wanted you to know that the bird has landed.