Ro was moving house today, and a few things were surplus to requirements for now, although not necessarily in the future, so we’ve brought them back here. We have stalwartly resisted using his bedroom to put our stuff in, but it’s a huge room so there is plenty of room to keep whatever he wants. As I said yesterday, I suggested going out for lunch and, in the event, the Sage decided to come too. I was rather glad of that, as it means I don’t have to feel guilty at not having got in anything for him for tonight, when I’m out and he’s babysitting – although, in fact, there are still sausage casserole and smoked fish risotto leftovers in the fridge, so he won’t have to forage too far.
In the afternoon, we called on Andy and John. We each visited one and then swapped over! Both are doing very well. Andy is actually getting really excited at the thought of retirement – it’s pretty brave of him really, he still can only walk a few steps in a shuffle using a frame, and may never walk independently again, but he’s choosing to take a completely positive attitude. His son-in-law, who is paraplegic, has offered him a spare electric wheelchair and he’s looking forward to whizzing around the village. He’s looking forward to playing music again – don’t think he’ll manage his guitar for a while, but he can play his keyboard once he leaves hospital on Monday week. He has various plans to do voluntary work.
A digression – there is no doubt that a strong religious faith helps people get through such times, and accept what’s happening to them. That is, what went wrong “just happened, one of those things”, whereas the things that are going really well now are God-led and he’s thankful for them. The point is, it doesn’t matter in the least whether you think he’s deluded or what, but that it’s taking him out of a possible self-pity, for which no one could blame him, and helping his recovery and well-being. And if you think it’s a delusion, please don’t sneer, or not here – he still is choosing his positive attitude, and if he’s being buoyed by faith, then good for him.
Since they’ve been home, things have gone remarkably well. They put their house on the market – photos were taken and particulars put out by the agent on Monday. On Wednesday, a couple came to see the house, put in an offer very near the asking price, which they accepted. They put in an offer on a bungalow in this village, which was accepted. The couple have sold their house, are living in a rented house and have all the money in the bank, waiting. This could be the fastest transaction it’s possible to have. Andy is now waiting to hear about his disability allowances, and to be released from his employment contract. I said to him, “well, you’re not a lot of use to them at present, are you?”
That’s good to hear. A positive attitude (for whatever reason) is going to help his recovery enormously.
That’s true.
Agreed. But best hide the book of Job.
no doubt ones religious faith is private, and i comepletely agree – it does help! the sneering begins when faith moves out of the private sphere.
z, i am surprised that you still drop. thank you, as always, it is good to see you 🙂
PMA, positive mental attitude. Good to hear that they’re both getting on well. I’m sure that having so many good friends like you and The Sage around have helped them all enormously.
Oh – and – info from my Rotating Lady who works for CAB: tell Andy to be very very careful about doing voluntary work if he’s going to be living on benefits – with all the new assessments around, they will find him fit for work if they find he can do voluntary work. But, I guess he’ll be asking CAB for info anyway.
One thing I haven’t mentioned, Gill’s grandson has swine flu too, and his mother, who has a long-term health problem, is in an early stage of pregnancy. Still, gotta be cheerful hey.
Well put, Dharmabum. And it’s great to see you blogging again, and on the usual excellent form.
They have good friends, and they are good friends. They’re always the first to offer to help. As far as the volunteering is concerned, it’s not, for now, the sort of thing that would cause any official hackles to rise – getting involved with village events and things he can do from home on the computer (slowly, he still has constant pins and needles in his hands and hasn’t got full dexterity back). His health won’t permit very much for a long time. If he got to the stage of being able to do a part-time job, he’d not hesitate to say so, even at the cost of losing benefits.