Dearest Readers:
I bid June, 2016 away with blessings. Truly, that was the most hellacious month I’ve lived. Why?
It all started on May 31, 2016 when my husband had reverse shoulder replacement. He was discharged the following day, starting many days of falling/fainting spells. We visited the ER of Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center seven times. Once – to cleanse the wound and place a tighter bandage on the incision since he was bleeding. Two, maybe three days later, I drove Phil to ER due to fainting spells at home. The scenario of fainting continued. Once, while shopping for another car at Car Max. Since he fainted three times in the showroom, we called ER to transport him. Another visit to ER consisted of Phil dislocating the shoulder when he struggled to get out of bed. Just when I thought he might be on the road to recovery things changed so much I could not wait until the month of June ended.
Today is July Fourth. Independence Day. We have no plans for celebrating America’s independence, just a quiet day at home – resting and giving thanks that he appears to be getting stronger now.
I will cook baked beans in the crock pot. Hot dogs and sloppy joes will be served. A quiet day…Hopefully, a quiet month. Phil’s birthday is July 8. I haven’t had the time to get him a birthday card or a gift yet. I’ve been horrified to leave him alone at home. I am praying he is truly on the road to recovery now.
For all of you, I wish you a Happy and Safe Fourth of July. How I wish the community of Mt. Pleasant did not allow people to shoot fireworks in our area. Supposedly, the fireworks must be supervised with adult supervision. Trust me. That does not happen within our little “Village.” Last year, kids were shooting fireworks in the middle of the road. Only kids…no adult supervision. Many of the fireworks rattled our windows, so I went outside to request the kids to shoot them in their yards, and not ours. Of course, the kids mouthed something smart to me, and a few minutes later they must’ve used all of the fireworks. I am hopeful the fireworks at my windows will not happen this year. If they do, I will approach those ‘children’ once again.
Today, I will dress appropriately with red, white, and blue. I have a beautiful scarf, complete with stars and stripes I normally wear. It has been our tradition to go to the Charleston Elks Lodge Fourth of July cookout. This year, I think it is best for us to remain at home, in the cool of our home and eat the favorite foods for this day. I cherish the Fourth of July and I would love to go to the beach, but a four-mile drive to the beach will probably take me at least one hour to get there. Finding a parking space for the beach — trust me, it is a challenge. So, although I haven’t been to the beach once this year, I will stay at home, making certain all is well with Phil. I truly do not want to rush to ER again!
Today, I will give thanks to all of the ER professionals at Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. All of them were nice to Phil, and to me, and they treated him with respect and concern.
Yes, today is a day of Thanksgiving and celebration for this household. I am bidding the month of June, 2016 goodbye and good riddance while giving thanks that Phil and I can celebrate the independence of our country while resting.
To all of you, I wish you a Happy Fourth of July. For our Armed Forces, I thank you for your service while praying for peace in our country. Happy Independence Day to all!
Barbie Perkins-Cooper, Author 