‘LIGHT FOR THE JOURNEY’

eyes began to falter. Little by little she lost her ability to do those things. They were replaced with short walks, picnics, reading the Bible together praying, singing. Then those things grew more difficult for her. Speech and language were problematic as she struggled to find the words to express herself, not to mention that her hearing diminished.

BY GUEST AUTHOR Karen DeHerrera

Iam not sure who penned that most appropriate description of the relationship between the care-giver and the care-receiver but I agree whole-heartedly that it reflects that reality. Taking care of an elderly parent with dementia is a process of saying goodbye to someone you love dearly every day for months or years. In my mom’s case the Long Goodbye lasted about seven years. She came to live with my husband and me when she was 90 years old.

The next seven years of our lives were riddled with joy, blessings, frustrations, sadness, worries, exhaustion and much more as we witnessed her slow but constant deterioration mentally and physically.

The first few years were somewhat enjoyable as I involved mom in activities to occupy her hands and mind. Embroidering, coloring, simple crafts, reading, making tortillas. It was not long, however, until her

I became more aware of her daily mental decline and bodily weakening. The Long Goodbye had begun and I did not know how long it would last . That is the hardest part of being a care-taker. Mom was not the same “mommy” that I had grown up with. My heart broke every day that I saw her fading away. At times, I even inadvertently called her “mommy” as I cared for her. The Long Goodbye was about to reach its final end.

Mom left this earth and the angel carried her to heaven on April 22, 2023. She took her final breath at our home at 7:30 in the morning. Maybe some of you who have cared for a loved one can relate to that deep stab in the heart when that happens.

A sorrow I have never before experienced burst my heart wide open and a flood of tears rained down my cheeks at that very moment. Death is an ugly thing.

When Jesus stood before Lazarus’ tomb, He wept, even knowing that He would shortly bring His friend back to life and also that the resurrection of his body would occur at the “last day.”

Jesus said in John 11:25,26, (ESV) “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” Yet in verse 35 it says, “Jesus wept.” Why did our Savior weep? The Bible doesn’t say, but we can infer that Jesus hates that old enemy “death.” And He hates the ultimate cause of death — sin.

The people who had gathered around Lazarus’ tomb noticed something immediately when Jesus wept.

Verse 36 of that same chapter says, “So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’” Those people were amazed at Jesus’ love. Oh how Jesus loves His people! Psalm 116:15, says, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” His saints are His people, those who love Him and trust completely in Him. We are precious in His sight.

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Mom was precious to Him while she was here on earth and is precious even now as she has entered into His presence.

I know Jesus was right there when mom took her last breath and he was there weeping with me, yet knowing that this was not the end of mom’s story. You see, Jesus came to destroy that old enemy of mankind — death. Here is the clincher—we are all going to face that enemy at some point. Someone once said that no one gets off this rock alive. So how do we face death? By considering what comes after. The Bible tells us there are only two options: heaven (eternal life) or hell (eternal death). Men use the word hell to describe anything that is unbearable, dark, disturbing, painful, wicked, evil, and miserable. Think of all the phrases in which men use that word hell. Does anyone really want hell? Now think of the word heaven and see how that word is used: paradise, Eden, joy, glorious, perfect peace, love and beauty. and so much more. Who wouldn’t want to be there for eternity?

So we said our goodbye to mom. We miss her terribly, but we look forward to that Glorious Reunion which will take place soon. I am speaking of The Resurrection of the dead. Remember what Jesus said. “I am the resurrection

BETTY JO TUCKER

Pueblo award winning film critic

IF YOU ARE STILL WISHING you could have gone to the Super Bowl of 2017, it’s not too late to watch 80 FOR BRADY, an amusing comedy involving that exciting football event. Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Sally Field and Rita Moreno have a ball as old friends who try to relive their feelings about that earlier game by going from Boston to Houston to see Tom Brady play again.

We expect great performances from star power like this, and these women don’t disappoint their fans. I am biased a bit toward Fonda and Moreno because of interesting personal meetings with both of them. It was my pleasure to meet Fonda at the Pueblo airport and take her to a function here back in days of yore. She looked so big on the screen, but she seemed tiny in person. Plus, she was very serious. And I interviewed Moreno during a radio show about Singin’ in the Rain where she came across as a real entertainer.

In 80 FOR BRADY, Fonda plays an attractive divorcee and Moreno a lovely widow who falls asleep easily. That leaves Tomlin and Field. We know both of them can be funny, of course. However, Field proves she can outshine the group by playing a professor who is supposed to be the responsible one but ends up doing some silly things such as entering a Spicy BBQ Wings Challenge. But Tomlin also gives us surprises as the group’s risk-taker. My favorite scene shows all four characters doing an impromptu dance with a celebrity played by the great Billy Porter.

The story follows these super fans as they win tickets to the Super Bowl – and then lose them. .

Four old friends to Super Bowl go. Their adventure makes quite a show.

They want to see Tom Brady play and have an extra-special day.

80 FOR BRADY stars known gals who charm us as these elder pals.

(Retrieved 12/12/2104 from http://blogs.chieftain.com/social/kiplinger - pueblo- cheapest- place- to-live/848/)

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They make us laugh and cheer them on plus feel a tear when things go wrong.

Tomlin, Moreno, Fonda, Field prove super talent will not yield.

What about Tom Brady? Well, he appears as himself and that might not be enough for his fans. He also served as producer so he’s partly to blame. Nevertheless, 80 FOR BRADI concentrates on its four stars, and that’s fine with me.

Charlie Chaplin