To The One That Got Away

Every time I think of you
I always catch my breath

And I'm still standing here

And you're miles away

And I'm wondering why you left

And there's a storm that's raging

Through my frozen heart tonight

I hear your name in certain circles
and it always makes me smile

I spend my time

Thinking about you

And it's almost driving me wild

And there's a heart that's breaking

Down this long distance line tonight

I ain't missing you at all

Since you've been gone

Away

I ain't missing you

No matter

What I might say

There's a message

In the wild

And I'm sending you

this signal tonight

You don't know

How desperate I've become

And it looks like I'm losing this fight

In your worldI have no meaning

Though I'm trying hard

to understand

And it's my heart that's breaking

Down this long distance line tonight

I ain't missing you at all

Since you've been gone

Away

I ain't missing you

No matter

What my friends say

And there's a message

that I'm sending out

Like a telegraph to your soul

And if I can't bridge this distance

Stop this heartbreak overload

I ain't missing you at all

Since you've been gone

AwayI ain't missing you

No matter

What my friends say

I ain't missing you

I ain't missing you

I keep lying to myself

And there's a storm that's raging

Through my frozen heart tonight

I ain't missing you at all

Since you've been gone

Away

I ain't missing you

No matter

What my friends say

Ain't missing you

I ain't missing you

I ain't missing you

I keep lying to myself

Ain't missing you

I ain't missing you

I ain't missing you

I ain't missing you

I ain't missing you

I ain't missing you

Ain't missing you

Oh no

No matter what my friends might say

I ain't missing you

There Really is Something Amazing About Grace

For the last six years of her life, my grandmother, Pauline Wyatt, was fortunate to not only move closer to her family, but also to become a Franklin, TN resident, living at Grace Healthcare on West Main Street.

When looking for a long term care facility, we had a list of requirements that were extremely important to us: safety, cleanliness, activities and most importantly, excellent health care.  Her physician, Dr. Kenneth Dodge, is kind, caring, and at Grace it seemed around the clock taking care of his many patients.  Not only was our grandmother lovingly cared by the staff at Grace Healthcare, and these healthcare professionals treated her like they would a member of their own family, but she was showered with love and attention from the community of one of the greatest small towns in America, Franklin, Tennessee.     When we visited different facilities, one thing we didn’t take into consideration was how the community supported the residents.

 

When we could come to visit her on Sunday afternoons, we would be her invited guests and treated to Sunday services by different church congregations and highly talented singing groups.  It wasn’t just on Sundays … she was treated to performances by a local ukulele band, students from Battle Ground Academy providing loving manicures, trolley rides to see the Christmas lights at Sunnyside and George Jones’ home, winner take all Bingo games,  Christmas presents from anonymous givers during the whole month of December, cheerful thinking of you cards from school students throughout the year.  While at Grace, she went to the prom, back to the 50s and was transformed into the Crocodile Hunter for Halloween.  She was touched by so much love, generosity and caring … and in turn, it touched our hearts tremendously. 
 
When faced with the decision to place a beloved member of your family into long term care and entrust that care and well-being with others, it’s these little unnoticed acts of kindness by the staff and the community that helps to ease your worry.  It emphasizes that although a hard decision you have done the right thing. 

After she left us I cleaned out her room and slowly closed the door for the last time, I was buoyed by the stack of cards and encouraging notes I had read from church congregations, students that I found in the top drawer of her dresser …. It squeezed my heart in the places where I missed her and made the last walk out the doors of Grace a little less sorrowful.  As I walked down the hall and stopped at the nurses’ station, I hugged those working on the night shift and tried to find the words to thank them for caring for her, for laughing with her and most importantly for loving her.   

In choosing Grace Healthcare on West Main, we didn’t realize we were also choosing the community of Franklin as a caregiver also, but it fortuitously turned out that way.  We discovered that there is something special about the people in this place; and there really is something amazing about Grace.

My Home is NOT Broken

Recently someone said to me ...

"Your home is broken."
"Far from it" I replied.
"My home is filled with love."

Anger welled from deep within.
"Have you been to my house?
That's far from what's happening inside.
"Our home is full of life."

I may struggle mightily,
but no one sees it.
Finances may weigh me down,
but we keep juggling.

Sanctuary created
between the walls.
Trust constantly building
to strengthen them.

New traditions were started
and cherished.
Fun memories made.
Adventures planned for the future.

Goals set.
Dreams shared.
Ideas valued.
Personalities blooming.

Long ago, my smile was broken
my spirit, and yes, sadly my heart.
But never, ever my home.

 My home is not broken.