Dad and Berkeley went with the church playgroup to visit the fire station this week.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Life
People often tell me it takes a special person to work in hospice, I think that is true. I also feel like working in hospice is one of the most special places a person can work. Sometimes I think it sounds weird to say that I love my job when talking about working with people who are dying, but it is true, I love my job. I love the people I get to meet, the stories I get to hear, the precious time I get to spend with families as they say goodbye to their loved ones. Even though I know people a short time, it is such a vulnerable time in their lives that often I get quite close to people.
I have been working with the most amazing individuals lately.
I am working with a 93 year old woman who is terminally ill, she is probably one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She has an optimistic attitude about everything, even about dying; she tells me this is just a gift that God gave her. I was brought to tears talking to her about her life. She talked about her sweet husband who died at age 50 of a heart attack, they were married for just 26 years. She never remarried. As she talked about her husband who she had been without for 40+ years I couldn't believe the love she still had for him and how highly she talked of their time together. She discussed all his wonderful qualities and how good he was to her. Even though she had been with him for only a small portion of her life, you could tell how much joy having found true love in life had brought her. I reflected to my sweet husband who is truly the best thing that has ever happened in my life and I too am grateful to have found true love. As she spoke about her husband, I could relate to her on so many levels and it made me realize how lucky I am to have such an incredible companion in life. I hope I can always value my time with him and realize how special it is well into my 90's.
This same woman talked about what a feminist she was and how she loved to work. She worked until she had children at 27 years, which was late for her generation, and she loved it. When her children were in school she wanted to go back to work but her husband didn't want her to. He felt that her working would make him look bad; that he couldn't take care of his family. She stated this was the only time she went against his will and she went to work anyway. She truly was a feminist in her day, she worked because she loved to! I can relate to this as well, I just really love my job and I love to work. I love my time being a mother as well, but I really love what I do for a career and for me I am happy to balance the two to find happiness in life, just as this sweet woman did.
I have also been working with a woman who passed at 105 years. She was alert and oriented until the end of her life. She was sweet and pleasant and full of spunk. She joined a bowling league when she was 80 years old and played for 18 years! Unbelievable, right? What a lesson in life to know that it is NEVER too late to do anything or try something new. No age is too old to try something new. I hope I can always follow my dreams and have the spunk and sweetness that this woman did.
I am currently working with a patient who is the same age I am. This has truly been difficult for me. Working with older individuals is much easier, as they have lived life and had many experiences and dying is the next step in their journey. Working with someone who is my same age is terrible, it feels that he is being cheated out of so much. He is a sweet young man who is a refugee in our country, who has not had a great life and has been separated from his family for well over 20 years. I am humbled to work with him. Every time I think of him I cant help but count my many blessings. I have had such a good life; I have such wonderful family and friends. I have never gone without. He is full of faith and his belief in God gets him through these difficult times. He has really been declining as of late and it has been difficult for me. We have become close, good friends, and now when I visit him I find myself fighting back tears. He tells me how he talks to his mother on the phone as she cries to hear the condition he is in; it pains him that he can not be near her when he needs her most. I am not sure why God gives some so much and others so much trial and hardship, it hardly seems fair. I am grateful to know my dear friend, he strengthens me and helps me have faith. He is an example of strength and courage. I am lucky to know him and grateful to be on this journey with him. I am grateful that when I think of him I cannot be anything but grateful and blessed for the life I have, that is abundant with love, joy, freedom and opportunity.
I could go on about the amazing families that care for their parents with dementia, the funny things some of my patients say, or other sweet stories about things my patients have accomplished in their lives, but I wont. I just wanted to get these stories down, as it has been an emotional month at work and I needed to get my love and gratitude for what I do, and for the people I get to meet written down.
I have been working with the most amazing individuals lately.
I am working with a 93 year old woman who is terminally ill, she is probably one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She has an optimistic attitude about everything, even about dying; she tells me this is just a gift that God gave her. I was brought to tears talking to her about her life. She talked about her sweet husband who died at age 50 of a heart attack, they were married for just 26 years. She never remarried. As she talked about her husband who she had been without for 40+ years I couldn't believe the love she still had for him and how highly she talked of their time together. She discussed all his wonderful qualities and how good he was to her. Even though she had been with him for only a small portion of her life, you could tell how much joy having found true love in life had brought her. I reflected to my sweet husband who is truly the best thing that has ever happened in my life and I too am grateful to have found true love. As she spoke about her husband, I could relate to her on so many levels and it made me realize how lucky I am to have such an incredible companion in life. I hope I can always value my time with him and realize how special it is well into my 90's.
This same woman talked about what a feminist she was and how she loved to work. She worked until she had children at 27 years, which was late for her generation, and she loved it. When her children were in school she wanted to go back to work but her husband didn't want her to. He felt that her working would make him look bad; that he couldn't take care of his family. She stated this was the only time she went against his will and she went to work anyway. She truly was a feminist in her day, she worked because she loved to! I can relate to this as well, I just really love my job and I love to work. I love my time being a mother as well, but I really love what I do for a career and for me I am happy to balance the two to find happiness in life, just as this sweet woman did.
I have also been working with a woman who passed at 105 years. She was alert and oriented until the end of her life. She was sweet and pleasant and full of spunk. She joined a bowling league when she was 80 years old and played for 18 years! Unbelievable, right? What a lesson in life to know that it is NEVER too late to do anything or try something new. No age is too old to try something new. I hope I can always follow my dreams and have the spunk and sweetness that this woman did.
I am currently working with a patient who is the same age I am. This has truly been difficult for me. Working with older individuals is much easier, as they have lived life and had many experiences and dying is the next step in their journey. Working with someone who is my same age is terrible, it feels that he is being cheated out of so much. He is a sweet young man who is a refugee in our country, who has not had a great life and has been separated from his family for well over 20 years. I am humbled to work with him. Every time I think of him I cant help but count my many blessings. I have had such a good life; I have such wonderful family and friends. I have never gone without. He is full of faith and his belief in God gets him through these difficult times. He has really been declining as of late and it has been difficult for me. We have become close, good friends, and now when I visit him I find myself fighting back tears. He tells me how he talks to his mother on the phone as she cries to hear the condition he is in; it pains him that he can not be near her when he needs her most. I am not sure why God gives some so much and others so much trial and hardship, it hardly seems fair. I am grateful to know my dear friend, he strengthens me and helps me have faith. He is an example of strength and courage. I am lucky to know him and grateful to be on this journey with him. I am grateful that when I think of him I cannot be anything but grateful and blessed for the life I have, that is abundant with love, joy, freedom and opportunity.
I could go on about the amazing families that care for their parents with dementia, the funny things some of my patients say, or other sweet stories about things my patients have accomplished in their lives, but I wont. I just wanted to get these stories down, as it has been an emotional month at work and I needed to get my love and gratitude for what I do, and for the people I get to meet written down.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Mystic, CT
Christian presented at his first theory conference this weekend at Connecticut College in New London, CT. It was the the New England Conference of Music Theorists (or something close to that). The school was footing the bill for the hotel, and it was close to beautiful Mystic, CT. Berke and I tagged along and had a fun weekend getaway. While Daddy was away, Mommy and Berkeley played.
Christian was able to present on one of his chapters from his thesis and from what I hear, it went very well. He found the conference very good for networking and hopes to present at more theory conferences soon.
Friday we headed to beautiful Mystic Seaport where they have recreated an old seaport town from the 19th Century with shops, boats and fun activities. It was absolutely beautiful!
It's clear that there is much more to do "on" season, after May, but it was still a lot of fun and very interesting.
Here is Berke on an old whaling boat, he is having loads of fun until he spots a little bug (see the little tiny black speck on the seat below) and starts pointing at me and crying, "I need you to pick me up!" He is TERRIFIED of bugs; to be honest he is afraid of a lot of things.
They had a fun Children's Museum and a fun park full of little ships; Berke called it the "Pirate Ship Park."
Later that night Berke and I headed to the FAMOUS Mystic Pizza (where the movie with Julia Roberts was filmed); the pizza was really good!
Saturday was spent at the Mystic Aquarium.
We had to drop off Christian at his conference early, so we were one of the first people at the Aquarium which was amazing. We got to see many of the animals be fed and had some fun one on one interaction with this Beluga Whale before the crowds arrived. This little whale was so full of personality and super interested in people. He took an immediate interest in Berkeley; he saw him, then got down on his level and opened his mouth as if he was trying to communicate with my little man. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen.
We got to see the Sea Lions and the penguins get their breakfast and do a few little tricks.
This aquarium was wonderful! It had a lot to see outside and then a bunch of cool fishtanks inside.
They had a sting ray touch tank, a shark touch tank, a cool exhibit on jelly fish which Berke loved. They have a very active octopus who puts on a good show. They also had a fun sea lion show which we enjoyed.
Berke was more than thrilled to find Nemo and Marlin and even Dori on our adventure. This kid LOVES Nemo!
We had a nice rest after a fun morning at the Aquarium and then we picked up daddy and headed to downtown Mystic for dinner and Ice Cream. Berke was dressed like this but with his vans on and a lady came up and asked if her boyfriend could take a picture with Berke because they were wearing the same outfit. Everyone in their group was cracking up; you could tell the boyfriend was mortified to have the same style as a 3 year old and begged us to walk quickly away to spare him any further embarrassment.
I highly recommend the adorable town of Mystic, CT to all of my New England friends. It is an adorable summer town with fun things to see and do. I am not sure how this fun place was never on my radar, but I am glad it is now!
Doctor Gentry
It has taken me way too long to announce that my amazingly talented and genius husband defended his dissertation two weeks ago, and passed with minor revisions. He is now officially a Doctor of Music Composition and Theory and will graduate from Brandeis University May 20th!
I am so proud of Christian and all of his hard work.
I was laughing, thinking back to when we were talking about getting married and he told me how much schooling he had left. I think back then, I was so in love that it seemed like no big deal at the time. I cannot believe that we are about to celebrate 10 years of marriage; it blows my mind to think that Christian has been working on getting this degree the entire time! What a wonderful feeling to finally be getting that coveted degree. I admire Christian for never giving up on his dream and absolutely doing what he loves and is passionate about in life.
Way to go babe; I am so proud of all your hard work along this crazy long but amazing journey.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Eggs
Berkeley kept asking if he was going to have Easter with his friends this year, so we decided to have an Easter Egg hunt to make his wildest dreams come true; friends + candy = pure bliss.
We had a few friends over for a hunt in our neighbor's backyard. It was a wee bit colder than we had hoped, but it didn't stop the kids from the excitement of finding eggs and eating the goods inside.
Five happy kids after a basket full of eggs were gathered.
Owen, Jonas, Charlotte, Berkeley and Eloise
Our cute little family, who do you think Berke looks like more?
That night we colored Easter Eggs with Dan, Lisa and Charlotte. This year we found a $5 kit at Target to make these cute pirate eggs. They turned out pretty amazing, and Berke was loving it.
The Easter Bunny did visit us and we got all dressed up in our Easter duds for Church. Look how cute my adorable and handsome boys are!
Gentry Family Easter picture 2012.
After church we finished the day off with dinner with our friends, flying paper airplanes outside, and watching Berkeley play his new violin. It was a great day.
It was fun to start to talk to Berke about the real reason we celebrate Easter this year. He understands that we are celebrating Jesus, but I don't think it goes much further than that.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Dog Service Project
This weekend we drove to Ipswich, MA to a farm where they raise Great Danes to be service dogs that help people with mobility problems. My coworker Sandy volunteers here each weekend and she invited us to check it out. Berke was a bit terrified of the 165 lbs dogs he was surrounded by. There were at least 25 dogs roaming around, many in the house and they thought they were humans, consuming most of the couch space. They really were sweet and gentle and oh so lovable.
Below is Lindsey, Sandy's dog. She is a retired dog who use to breed dogs for the project.
These two cuties are just a year old and are getting ready to go to work. The one on the right will be going with an 11 year old girl who hasn't been able to walk on her own, but with the help of the dog was able to walk the entire length of a mall; what a sweet miracle!
Lucky for us there was a new litter of puppies that were just 9 days old. They were so cute!
Berke was freaked out by the puppies as well, not sure why. Here is little Oliver, as it looks like he has an olive on his head. Sooo cute! You know how I love me some puppy breath!
Here is the farm donkey, Mary.
Berkeley was not afraid of her at all surprisingly, however Christian was not a big fan. Mary was a very sweet and kind donkey who loves hay, carrots and apples.
The highlight for Berke were not the dogs at all, but the Hen House! He got to go and pick his very own egg out of the hen house, and was so excited about it. The look on his face when he later dropped and broke the egg could have just about broken your heart.
Berkeley helped Sandy fill up the water bucket for the chickens.
(notice the little egg in his hand)
We were all super excited about Chicken Bingo, we bet on number 150, if the chicken poops on your number, you win. Sadly, it takes all of 10 seconds to happen and Berke and I were in the potty when it all went down. Clearly my son is more Gentry than Taft as he loved the chickens way more than the dogs; eat your heart out Grandpa Gentry. He did start to warm up to the dogs and enjoyed petting their soft ears, but it was not the highlight of his trip by any stretch.
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