Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Oh Christmas Tree!

It's been a very busy year for us. 
Making a list and checking it twice, 
I realized that I haven't been a 
very good blog friend this year. 

I have failed to respond to many of your posts and emails. 
I hope you'll let me make it up to you by sending you a 
real live Christmas card.  They call it snail mail.  

Please comment and leave your address. 
I would love to know that you
"GOT MAIL."


Let the show begin...

The Christmas tree is always the focal point of my home.


It is now done.
Filled with ornaments from my mama's tree
and a few of my own, it is always my favorite.
It's skinny and perfect for our apartment. 


Growing up the children had the privilege 
of spending every afternoon and holiday with Nanny.


Her tree was full of silver and gold, white and crystals.
Her favorites were the crystals.
The crystal ornaments glittered with the lights, creating a prism of colors.


The first thing Chad did when he got to Nanny's everyday
was to count and pick out which ornaments had been added.
He had his favorites.


I had mine too!


I've shown you a few of mine. 


I now have 4 heavy silver pine cones that my daughter 
bought last year at Macy's after-Christmas 75% off sale.  
They are now my favorites.

I'm busy adding to and taking away.
Will show and share more every day...
I hope.

I have shared with some of you that my daughter has Best Disease.  Best Disease is a disease of the retina. We discovered this when she was tested for Lupus as a teenager in 1996.  After several weeks of not being able to bear weight on her ankles and a lupus-like butterfly rash across her face, she underwent multiple tests for RA, Lupus, and MS.  When her eyes were tested for Iritis, an eye disease resulting from arthritis, the optomologist discovered Best.  He said, "She will probably never have a problem. The yolk-like appearance may remain the same or she may notice some changes when she is in her 30's and 40's." When she was pregnant, she began to notice that she wasn't seeing as well . She could not see road signs, could not read the screen at church, could not read a menu and I was concerned.  She is losing her central vision and there is nothing that can be done to reverse or correct it. 

People say, "Get stronger lenses."  There is no correction because regardless of how large, the print is blurred.  She can't read facial expressions.  She recognizes Harper from across the room by the clothes that she has on.  

She and her husband recently made the decision for her to stop driving.  This is a big life-altering challenge, but one that she is walking through with grace.  I am picking up Harper and getting Christy back and forth to work when Troy is out of town.  I am usually with them two days a week.  I am beginning to understand now why the move happened so quickly. 

When the progression of the disease was confirmed, her first response was, "What if  I can no longer see those big blue eyes (of baby girl)?"  The thought tears me apart. She has an appointment with a low-vision specialist where her vision will be tested again to determine it's progression. She saw a retinologist in August who confirmed the diagnosis but was unable to get an appointment with the specialist until December 31.  There are clinical trials being done and we are believing that we will see a treatment or cure in her lifetime. 

We are hopeful and believe. 

13 comments:

  1. Hi Bonnie, I am very sorry to learn of your daughter's loss of sight and the difficult decision she made to give up driving. I certainly do sympathize. My mom could never see well enough in my lifetime to drive. As soon as I was legally able, I begin to drive her. And of course, John had to quit driving and working at age 50 due to narcolepsy. To give up driving is to lose a great deal of independence. I will join you and all your loved ones in praying for her. I am thankful that you are nearby to help. xoxo

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  2. I'm am sorry to hear about what your daughter is going through, too. I am glad everything worked out for your to be nearby. Sending prayers...xoxo
    Your Christmas decorations are lovely...and your new header is, too!

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  3. That is so sad for all of you, glad you did move and there for her.
    God love you, I have been thinking about decorations ,starting out slow.

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  4. How I hope you felt that great big squeeze I just gave you! God IS able....in all things! But the walk can be hard....so I lift you and your family up to our Heavenly Father.
    Your tree is so pretty. I think it is wonderful to have ornaments from your mother. What a treasure! I grew up Mennonite...there were no trees, no ornaments....lots of love, though :)
    Bless you, my friend!

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  5. Bonnie, I am almost in shock...I have never heard of this disease. It breaks my heart for all of you. Everyone will have to be strong in their faith. All things are possible through God. Wishing blessing for all of you, xoxo,Susie

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  6. This brought tears to my eyes. I am so grieved that your daughter must go through this. Yes, I see now why God opened the doors for y'all to move so quickly. Praise His name, He is always in control. Prayers for your daughter and the family. May the LORD show extra grace and allow her to be healed. Hope your day is blessed. xx

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  7. It surely has been a busy year for you! You certainly don't need to apologize for anything, my friend. And there is no doubt in my mind that God's timing is perfect...just as He moved you to Nashville for just a time as this. He knew all along how and where you would be needed. My prayer is that Christy's appointment goes well at the end of the month! God is working in your family :)

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  8. Your tree is lovely and I love that the ornaments all have special meanings for you. I passed a lot of memory ornaments to my kids a couple of years ago---but still kept a few of my favorites.

    I am so sorry that your sweet daughter has Best. That is awful and I suppose the hormonal change of pregnancy really ramped it up. I am glad she gave up driving because that would be dangerous for her and her family and others also. You are where you were supposed to be for a reason. Thank God you can help her. Blessings- xo Diana.

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  9. It's so nice to have some special pieces that belonged to your mama for your tree! Please know that your daughter and her precious family will be in my prayers! God certainly puts events together long before we ever have any idea of the why's!!! He is good and He has this in His Big Hands! Bless you, Cindy xoxo

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  10. Praying for your sweet Daughter! I know that God can correct what Doctors can't! Love your tree dear Bonnie! The vintage ornaments with meaning are my faves! HUGS

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  11. praying for your dear daughter, asking God for total healing. love your decorations

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  12. So sorry to hear about your daughters difficulties, giving up driving would be a huge wrench for me, so I can only imagine how she must feel about that and everything else that this is bringing. I hope that all will be as well as it possibly can. xx

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  13. Bonnie, my husband has an eye disease also that started at 39 and he has lost all of the central portion of his vision. He does still have peripheral vision. It's heartbreaking and terrifying but it's amazing what he can still do. With the help of low vision specialists your daughter will be ok. When Paul's eyes started to decline our kids were still little too. He couldn't play ball or read with them but he could do a million other things that count. Paul stopped driving about 7 years ago and yes it has been life altering. With several different forms of technology he is still able to work just like anyone else. In fact, most of the time strangers don't realize he has a problem and everyone else just gets used to it. Let me know if you need any information about the technology he uses.

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