I’d like to report a year of sunshine and roses
But as most of you know, that’s not how life always “goes-es”
Not to say that this will be a poem of depressing, dour news
Because we know that our days are recalled as the feelings we choose.
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| Grandpa always says, "You can choose to be happy!" |
2014 started with the best of intentions to call
Old friends I’d lost touch with; I would visit them all…
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| Celebrating our birthdays in January, with friend Kent from Texas. |
Yet I would not have imagined that the one I’d see most
Was my own darling father, and of his friends, such a host.
February 7th, a horrid phone call at my work…
Dad’s leg crushed in an accident, as forward solid doors did jerk
Like dominoes upon him; Employees came quickly to his aid.
To the hospital for surgery, hours in ER he laid.
We did not presume healing would be simple, but nor could we know
The havoc a post-op, hospital-acquired infection could “grow”.
Four surgeries later, healing still delayed, he came home July’s end.
To celebrate 50 Golden years married, to his sweetheart and best friend.
A nice break from hospital life, but it’s not over I’m afraid.
January 26th will be the next attempt of fragile bones to braid.
Mom and Dad have coped quite well, thanks to prayer and faith in God.
Nor doubt they His purpose in the unknown path they daily trod.
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| Many opportunities for family time! |
Months I spent solely ‘tween work, home and hospital room, just like a sentry.
Or often writing about Dad in the latest blog entry.
Dad’s recovery at home, while killing time, has been a break for me.
To know Mom’s caring for him daily; too much trouble can’t there be.
Dad voices some guilt for “taking up our time”, which ain’t so.
In times like these, emotions of the heart we all show.
As a nurse and in general, my empathy has grown
To know how it feels like when at you a crisis is suddenly thrown.
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| Grandkids learn about empathy, too. |
How one pulls back to cope, with just doing the bare minimum
Feeding family, washing clothes, ensuring there’s enough income.
So much for social calls, hobbies or yardwork… maybe next year.
I hope you all know what you mean to us, and why we seemed to disappear.
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| Please don't include us in this movement... |
But back to my update, this wasn’t meant to be so l-o-n-g!
I will attempt a more concise telling of the Karpiuk throng.
Son James, almost 21, regularly keeps our hearts racing
As in his car, or on his bike, new perils he’s facing.
A broken nose from a flying encounter with a tree
When we were frightened the accident from his motorbike would be.
We’re glad that’s put away for winter, such a literal relief.
Our prayers hurled upwards each time from home he did leave.
Despite Grandpa’s past of breaking a leg on his bike
James is invincible; How I miss the days he rode a trike.
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| Summer camping near Elfin Lakes, Garibaldi Provincial Park. |
He’s a gentle soul with an independent, daredevil side.
Giving us many opportunities to keep our emotions in stride.
A new job since fall, he’s installs many a network system.
Now starting to travel the province, we hope he uses wisdom.
Our resident mechanic, Lewis keeps things in order
His Humanities teacher, who taught the others, was excited Lew to“get”
Once back from travelling, our home became my next focus
Nora’s enjoyed Daddy’s ten weeks at home every evening
In 2015, we hope life brings joy and lasting peace
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| He built computers for a year at NCIX. |
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| Always a loyal friend. |
We’re lovingly guiding him to one day moving out from home
As what he’s mostly attached to are his friends and mobile phone.
But we know he’s always there when a brother needs a lift
We’ll keep working on the letting go, for our son too far not to drift.
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| What I fear for the future! |
Charles, now 19, plans to stick close to us for years.
He’s no dummy, he can’t afford to buy all the food he clears.
“I don’t mind you two”, he sweetly says one night.
Should I be worried? Well for now, that feels definitely alright.
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| ALWAYS eating... |
Still dating lovely Margarita, they’re both studying hard in school
With one job twice weekly at a truck company, always using a new tool.
Now working seasonally at the House of Knives too, learning to sell;
He‘s a steady, friendly employee with many stories to tell.
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| Questionable study habits... |
Somewhat unsure of his future career path, he keeps working on Criminology
I give him many late-night pep talks, always without apology.
I know he’ll do well, once he finds the right fit
But for now, “Keep pressing on, you’ve years ahead, don’t quit!”
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| I finally finished his quilt for high school graduation. |
And keep fit is what Charles does, working out every day.
With protein shakes handy, vitamins too and the scale to weigh.
He likes to dress well, as our resident fashion consultant
Only he needs to clean hands often, the work-grease resultant.
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| Grade 11 |
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| Attending Dad's special night... |
Thomas, 16, is thriving in math, physics and chemistry class
Now we’re hoping he’ll do as well with his learner’s license to pass.
But he’s taking his time studying, which is probably okay
Do we really want this boy on the road? Stay out his way! J
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| Arkansas, warm in July. |
Taekwondo’s been a passion he’s shared with his Dad
Travelling to Little Rock together made them both glad.
He showed support as Scott received his rank of Senior Mastership
Tom’s growing up fast, so glad he could go on such a great trip.
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| Waking and ... |
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| ...sleeping taekwondo. |
Meanwhile, he’s still constant buddies with likeable Lew
As a comedy team, the wit and sarcasm fly 'tween these two.
They keep us all laughing; Tom’s brilliant to the core.
Braces off next week, for Christmas he couldn’t ask for more.
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| Grade 7 Grad |
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| Gr. 8 |
Our resident mechanic, Lewis keeps things in order
With my list of “to-do” projects getting finally shorter.
He’s always so curious, which his teachers find thrilling
Using tools and wood in the garage, his own ideas are fulfilling.
Now in Grade 8, the high school transition has been fine but subdued
And with being a teenager, we see the occasional change of his mood.
But mostly Lew’s still a sweet guy and the dog’s main caregiver…
Playing piano and saxophone by ear, great music he can deliver.
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| There's nothing quite like a boy and his dog. |
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| Rosie loves to get in on the action. |
“Like a collector of cards, it’s as if I got the whole set!”
But wait, favourite teacher, there’s one more on the way--
Just last eight more years; for Nora’s sake please do stay. J
Yet for now, it's Kindergarten which Nora started this fall.
Three full days every week is a good compromise for all.
Still fighting over breakfast, she does well once in class with Miss Lee.
Who can never do any wrong, as least compared apparently to me… J
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| With friend Anna. |
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| Enjoying a rainy day. |
Nora’s learning all her letters, finding the joy in “reading” books.
At least she is between the times she’s not giving her boys dirty looks.
With up to a 16-year age gap, sibling dynamics can make our nerves rattle
But as a spitfire dynamo, Nora gets back having learned how to tattle.
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| Living out there and out loud! |
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| Scott's family's doing well. |
We do our best to keep things civil, for her to have a chance to know “normal”.
Although any future daughter-in-laws would find our meal antics abysmal!
For now, it’s great to have our girl who is fond of hugs and kisses
Life is really grand, especially when to us she chooses to listen.
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| Enjoying Kelly & Dave's day. |
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| Moving onto a bigger bike. |
Overall, when the referee whistle is put away, I’m happy to report
That there are moments of gentleness, playful games, or the building of a fort.
A sigh of relief, that the kids are getting along; a loving family can we be
At least until the next adolescent infraction, when the cycle we repeat.
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| One such sweet afternoon... |
Now the highlight of my summer, and possibly my year
Was the chance to plan a trip away, it brought me so much cheer.
Eleven days, just Scott and me, to explore Pennsylvania and DC
While sister Ann and family stayed with the kids, experiencing our reality.
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| The Washington Monument. |
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| Scott can't resist... |
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| Walking the National Mall. |
Seeing history brought to life, the mix of cultures all around
Contrasting city and country settings; Amish treasures that I found.
‘Twas a lovely gift of time we surely needed for a mental rest
True to form in my desire to “see”, our trip was one big walking-fest!
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| Lancaster Central Market |
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| Gettysburg, PA |
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| President Karpiuk |
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| First Lady Susan |
After 13 years of active boys’ abuse, the walls were quite atrocious.
The painter was quite fast, but the internal upheaval took up weeks
Which didn’t help when I repainted over some of his techniques. J
Then, the week of Thanksgiving, Scott did a random kick at work
The next morning, in total pain, to extend his left leg he did shirk.
The agony persisted over the long weekend, so sad.
Even while we enjoyed a delicious meal here with the presence of my Dad.
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| At least Nora is getting more Daddy time. |
A herniated disc with sciatica the MRI did show;
Medicated on the couch at home was the only place to go.
Now with physio, massage & “TIME”, Scott stands straighter, a lesser pain range.
Work’s focus from physical skills to management may soon need to change.
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| Tournament in the spring. |
Although taking it easy can be hard when she wakes you up from sleeping!
A big change for us all, after working late weekdays for over twenty years
I hope good can come from Scott’s suffering, as he adjusts his “careers”.
Recovering still, at least he’s home while I’m working shifts.
Spending time with the family is one of life’s most precious gifts.
From our couch to yours, we wish you a Christmas of love
Celebrating the eternal gift of Jesus from His Father above.
In 2015, we hope life brings joy and lasting peace
As that is something we also do cherish and seek.
But it’s more than escaping our present reality
Rather, trusting God daily will restore our sanity.
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| God always has a way of reminding us of our eternal hope. |
Thanks for your prayers for us this year. Love to all, the Karpiuks
And something special from Scott:
My attempt at a Poem after reading my wife’s… I’ll let you
sing the whole 12 weeks backwards on
your own.
The Twelve “Weeks” of Back Pain
On the twelfth week of Christmas my
sciatica gave to me…
12 Thoracic vertebrae
11 Doctor’s Visits
10 Different Medications
9 Physio appointments
8 Back stretches
7 Acupuncture needles
6 Hours of worksafe paperwork
5 Kids driving me crazy!
4 Pillows under my knees
3 Hours on hold
2 Claims denied
(And) lots of time looking at the
ceiling!
And for one last laugh thanks to Thomas, here is our family in a different universe. Love our dimples!
