What happened to Durlynn?

One of my daughters-in-law gave me the idea for the title, feeling it was much better than “Life on a Bedpan!”

Yes — here I go again but this time it has nothing to do with my Menieres and everything to do with getting older and coming upon one ailment after the other. Won’t bore you with any details because I’m sure more than one of you has had everything I’ve experienced and probably more.

But it does make one realize that we do have to accept all that happens to us when we get older -- from minor ailments and losing strength to the major setbacks. Yes, it’s been hard to accept all this, but what is my choice? And what would I do without all the wonderful people who have helped me?

For example:

• Those fabulous people in ER and the hospital who look for every possible solution in leaving nothing untried. And there are all the people coming in and out of my house now that I’m home — called Home Health Care. Out of sheer necessity I’ll have to gain strength from my physical therapists Chuck, Edsel and Onacio; from my occupational therapist Rebecca; and from the encouragement of my nurse Shelly. Yes, your care and love see me through.

• Friends and relatives who call, who offer assistance, who I know care.

• And most of all from my family — words can’t describe my love for them being with me every step of the way. Right now my daughter Charlynn and son-inlaw Ray are staying with me — have been for almost four weeks because they are so concerned. They have a fifth wheel and have been traveling all over the U. S. for almost two years. Their stay for the holidays has grown and they’ve certainly been needed and appreciated.

There’s son Jay and daughter-in-law Chris who always are concerned and have been at ER more than they want to remember.

They’ve lived through the Menieres and I’m grateful for their ER support this time as well as since. Chris is a nurse at Kaiser so always can help with ideas and advice. She receives more calls than she probably wants! Thanks so much for being you.

And thanks to son Rich and daughterin-law Cathy who come through with help, food and prayers. Several times through all this it’s evident that those prayers have made the difference.

Life goes on, but for me it now may be at a slower pace!

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Came across this beautiful piece and wanted to pass it on to you. It was on my phone with a picture of a mother closely cuddling her baby.

UNPLANNED

Does not mean unwanted or unloved. It just means life knew what I needed before even I did.

This piece was especially significant for me because those three wonderful children described above were all unplanned — and I thank God every day for them, my grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Probably because my parents divorced and I was an only child I never thought about having children. Then came Charlynn ...

When anyone asks me my greatest accomplishment I honestly can say — being a mother.

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In sympathy and love to Virginia Sumersille on the passing of husband Frank. How I enjoyed our times together as I interviewed you about Wounded Hearts as well as the many organizations and projects in which you are involved.

And how did I ever know your Wounded Hearts would be helping me?

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Have been out of the loop for awhile and suddenly realized that the Lodi Concert Association will present a concert on Sunday, Feb., 9 at 3 p.m.

The Maxwell Quartet from Scotland is featured in what sounds like an outstanding experience.

They are Glasgow based and broadcast regularly on BBC Radio Scotland. They also perform at festivals and other venues across Europe with a notable performance at London’s Wigmore Hall. Performance highlights include selections by Beethoven and Hayden as well as original arrangements of Scottish folk music.

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Finally, how I enjoy the Sentinel’s two Steves and your views.

Steve Mann, you give Lodi the information that is so important in a small town newspaper. As I watch local newspapers disappear, all Lodians should be grateful we still have a newspaper and the important information for everyone.

And Steve Hansen, what can I say but that you are amazing. Your constant satire makes Tuesdays a welcome day. More than one Tokay “old timer” remembers you kept them laughing. Thanks.

Love to hear from you for ideas or to say “hi.”