One of the biggest hurdles for my mom is eating. She doesn't have much of an appetite, and her taste buds are losing their tasting capacity. So part of my job here for the first two weeks she is recuperating from her major surgery is to nag her to eat. I am not an expert cook, but I am an expert nagger.
I have urged her to think of food as fuel and energy. She will not be so weak if she eats. And then, I try to spice up the visual enjoyment of the food. That's fun for an artist. I am not a cook, but I am an artist. For example, this picture above is her cream cheese bagel I fed her yesterday morn. I also want to get healthy fruits and veggies in her, so used them as the happy face for her happy meal. It made her smile, and she ate most of it.
Dinner is tougher. You have to really cook to make dinner. I made an old standby that I know she loves two nights ago. That's salmon, baked potatoes, and fresh broccoli. Even non-cooks can manage those easy dishes. And it was pretty. Presentation is half the appeal. She loved it and I made enough to last two meals.
Then last night, I had to come up with something new. I knew she once loved eggplant, and zucchini, so told Dad to get some. He came home with one eggplant and 3 zucchinis. I had also picked up an onion and garlic, figuring they would be useful somehow. Like I said... I am not much of a cook. So I googled "Eggplant/zucchini." Get this. A recipe came up immediately for roasted eggplant and zucchini. It called for one eggplant, 3 zucchinis, one onion, and garlic.
Now some of you may think this is just a coincidence. I don't believe in coincidences. To my eyes, this was God quietly providing all my needs, even before I had expressed them. God is everywhere, even in eggplant and zucchini. You just have to know where to look and expect Him to show up.
Next, I found a recipe for the chicken quarters Dad had brought home. Remember, I don't love to cook and don't feel very skilled at it. But somehow, cooking for my mom's recovery is very satisfying. Look at the result!
IN a few moments, look at what was left:
I consider this a victory. She got up out of bed during the night all by herself, the first night since the surgery she has been able to do so. She can do almost everything she could do before at this point, though a little more slowly. It was a hard week, but throughout this struggle, God has been present.
Last night, I asked how she was feeling.
"Good! Strength is flooding back into me."
"Do you know why?" I asked.
"Yes. I am eating."
Bravo!
Yes, she is eating and that is a critical source of strength. The biggest source of strength however is The One who is looking down with love. How tenderly He has cared for her and sent little miracles for so many years.
When I was on a run yesterday, I found my mind settling the entire time on God. That is not always true, but it seems to be most true during times of struggle. I realized that I feel His pleasure in the ecstasies of life, but I feel His presence in the struggles. When I least expect to see Him, He often shows up.
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