Unparalleled Year of Us

• Another three generation get together occurred in Stuart when my New Zealand (NZ) girlfriend of almost 60 years visited for the first time with her daughter and granddaughter.
• More friend connections were made at Robert’s high school reunion and when hosting our annual Little People of America (LPA) Thanksgiving/Christmas gathering.

UNDERTAKING writing projects continued with uploading weekly blog posts; contributing a chapter to an anthology called “Dwarfism Arts and Advocacy: Creating Our Own Positive Identity;” and an LPA regional workshop on breaking down dwarfism stereotypes.

Several UNEXPECTED deaths of people from LPA, church, and family hit hard. The most shocking was the sudden loss of Ray Gedge. Ray dates back to high school days and became family when he married my aunt about 48 years ago. He also served as Robert’s groomsman in our NZ wedding in 1981. His passing is a solemn reminder that we have entered the last lap of our lives on this planet.

URGENT visits to emergency rooms involved both Robert and myself. A couple related to falls, but two were more serious. The day after testing positive for COVID, I was hospitalized for two days in a Sydney ICU after being brought back from the brink of death. A couple of months later, Robert was hospitalized for eight days as ICU staff in Stuart wrestled him back from multiple infections and stroke level blood pressure readings.

UNCOOPERATIVE is the best word for Robert’s attitude towards nebulizer treatments and exercise between physical therapy sessions. He agrees to do it, but his mastery of procrastination makes for many days without either one.

UNDERSTANDING how to motivate Robert remains elusive.

An UNCOMFORTABLE transition of Robert’s household maintenance chores involved me working with contractors to service, repair or replace pool and lawn sprinkler pumps, washing machine, air conditioner, waste disposal, and outdoor pressure washing.

An UNUSUAL wedding anniversary celebration involved two chocolate chip muffins picked up on my way home from having my blood drawn.

UPLIFTING events and routine activities preserved my sanity as a newbie caregiver. I enjoyed meals and fellowship at church meetings. Worship, Bible reading and study for teaching Sunday School underpinned my perseverance and prayer for patience.

USE of my gifts as church clerk and a board member for a charter school for autism contribute to being salt and light in the world.

The UNPREDICTABILITY of the future stops me from making specific New Year goals. I’m content to let the Lord direct my steps in accord with Proverbs 16:9.

You may also want to read:

• Angela Muir Van Etten. “PHYSICAL THERAPY: Move and Improve.” Blog post. September 18, 2023. https://angelamuirvanetten.com/physical-therapy-move-and-improve/
• Angela Muir Van Etten. “Crashing Into My 70^th Birthday.” Blog post. August 28, 2023. https://angelamuirvanetten.com/crashing-into-my-70th-birthday/
• Angela Muir Van Etten. “Adapting to Changes in Climate and Age.” Blog post. August 21, 2023. https://angelamuirvanetten.com/adapting-to-changes-in-climate-and-age-2/

For more of my writings, go to https://angelamuirvanetten.com where you can subscribe to my weekly blog and find retail links to my dwarfism memoir trilogy.