We are five.

Brothers and Sisters

When our sister Jo comes into town, she makes sure that we all get together. Brother Mike lives in Banning, George lives in Palm Desert and Norma lives in Arizona. The desert is a perfect spot to meet. We never know how many of our nieces and nephews are going to make it to the gathering, but this time we were 22 total.

Las Casuelas

This Mexican restaurant is great for accommodating a large crowd. We ate, visited, and danced. I used to have pretty good dance moves, but something happened. It seems that I’ve been doing the same dance since I was in my teens! My rhythm has left and, as I sadly watch the videos of my uncoordinated dance moves, I laughed!

George

My brothers are the kindest men, and I love spending time with them. My sister-in-law Mary, George’s wife, is like our sister. To spend time with my niece Gina is an experience of love doubled with laughter. Her brother Robert is back in school, getting a degree in psychology with an emphasis on substance abuse.

Mike

Mike’s son Rong’s daughter has recently graduated from the University of Redlands and is currently working for the city. It was such a joy spending time and getting to know her better. Her brother Michael is a freshman in college and is also doing great.

My nephew Nick and Lee’s daughters are so grown; Maya is also in college and her sister Reina is a freshman in high school. Maya is a great golfer and played in the high school band; Reina is on her high school track team.

Jo

Jo is an amazing woman who knows how to bring unity to our family. She is one of the strongest women I know; she takes risks and can do anything she puts her mind to. Since Jo’s children were young, she has never traveled without them.

Jo’s youngest son, Rocky, and his wife Angela were in Las Vegas on a business trip and were the first to arrive. The following day Jo, her son Nick, and his daughter Sophie, along with Jo’s grandson Frankie arrived.

While Rocky and Angela stayed in Newport Beach, the rest of the clan stayed as our guests.

Norma

Norma is the hardest working woman I know, aside from her job at Canyon Winds, she also babysits her grandchildren.

Jo and I called Norma before the trip to inform her that she would be staying with us in the desert. Norma and cousin Nellie are besties, but since it was only going to be a day-and-a-half visit, we forced Norma to stay with us. Mike did not join us on the trip because he was not feeling well, so all three of us slept in the king-sized bed. It seemed so unfair that I was in the middle between them because Norma suffers from leg cramps and I sometimes need to use the restroom.

It was a nightmare because Norma had to get out of bed, besides I drank way too much water! Every time I got up I’d say, “You should have stayed with Nellie!” Besides that Norma was drinking all of our Margaritas! She was feeling no pain she did get a leg cramp and the drama that ensued was hilarious!

Growing Old

We are all getting up there in age, and some of us are pretty much falling apart. Since we were changing our coverage this year, both Mike and I had physicals. There are so many more prayers I need to add for myself. As much as I hate to take medications, it seems that is the only alternative. One of the medicines that was prescribed was spiking  my sugar, so now my primary doctor wanted to put me on a diabetes pill. After a consultation with another specialist, he took me off the meds to see if it brought down my glucose.

Truly I’m at the mercy of God and doing my part to lose more weight and exercise more. Since COVID I’ve lost almost 25 pounds, but apparently that’s not enough. So I’m back to cutting out what I love most: bread and tortillas. My favorite snack is  chips, especially Doritos. I know it’s so bad for your health, but I still love them. No more cookies either!

The Eye Ulcer

Jo got up extra early last Monday and was complaining about her eye. The entire day she was rubbing her left eye. As a result of her sleeping in her contacts she developed an ulcer. My neighbor is an optometrist so I called him. He advised us to put an antibiotic in her eye and asked, “Did she bring her glasses?” I answered, “No.”

I called my optometrist and made an appointment the following day. Turns out that Jo developed an eye ulcer, because she slept in her contacts. Her pain level was at at ten, and it has been a week since developing the ulcer and she is still in pain. To add insult to injury her right knee gave out, and now she struggling with walking. Lord help us, we’re falling apart!

My Prayer

Dear Lord, I pray for all of my siblings.  Keep us healthy until we meet again. I pray for Jo to have complete healing of her eye and knee. Lord, I pray for Mike and me for total healing. Please heal me so that I do not need to take any more medications. Amen .