TOO SWEET TWO FEET
Last night I was completely surprised to receive a thank you gift from a friend I’ve never met.
Crocheting is knot, part of my skill set so this beautiful pair of handmade washable wool socks is overwhelming! I can’t believe the kindness in preparing such a thoughtful gift. Thank you so very very much! I love everything about them.
In addition to the generosity, fine work and patience, this gift is especially meaningful to me at this time because for weeks I’ve been thinking and thinking…about FEET. This coming Father’s Day will be the very first since my own dear father’s passing, last August. Taking care of his feet was essentially the last service I was able to give him.
A 30 year struggle with heart disease eventually made it impossible for my dad to adequately care for himself. Refusing to be on the much needed oxygen meant that trips to the podiatrist were virtually impossible. But routine visits for personalized pedicures were something that I could contribute.
While he sat resting on the sofa, I filled a little orange washtub with warm sudsy disinfectant and then caaaaarefully placed it on his living room carpet. Plopping myself down on the floor (creek creek) I teased him with threats about nails trimmed short enough to make him jump, just a little. My dad had a terrific sense of humor and endured lots more than my sarcasm.
Next, I carefully removed his slippers and socks while he thanked me again and again for taking the time to be there. When I gently slipped his remarkably healthy feet into the warm bubbles, Dad would allow himself to just relax, settle back into the sofa, and close his eyes.
Only as I began to towel dry his little piggies, swab the freshly trimmed nails with a whisk of rubbing alcohol, and then slather them in sweet smelling lotion, would Dad emerge from his sleep and begin to thank me AGAIN for the delightfully indulgent treatment. I guess we could have paid for this same service to be provided by his assisted living facility, but think what I would have missed.
So, thank you dear friend, from the bottom of my heart, for sending these wonderful socks. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the book. Just like Hailey shared in her talk last Sunday, sometimes we feel the Savior’s love because we see that he knows our hearts and sends the dearest of gifts.
Tags: tender mercies, thank you from the top of my head to the end of my toes
June 6th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
What a Christlike service you were able to provide for your father. Thank you for sharing.
June 6th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
How sweet:)
It’s wonderful to have such lovely memories of your Dad. It sounds like he was very grateful for your loving touch. I’m certain that you were as much a blessing to him as he was to you.
Thanks for sharing this with us, Liesa
Joyce
P.S. Your father has a very kind face.:)
June 7th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Well, caring for my cute dad was actually pretty difficult. It took the combined efforts of all his children, over many years, and it still wasn’t perfect. He was always doing the best he could and so were we. This is a sweet memory because it honestly helped him, for a moment, to feel happy and peaceful. I believe his life is now finally full with both. Thanks sweet friends.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
I loved your story about your dad. I love that a kind person send you socks, and I really love that the socks ‘match’ the colors in your blog! Seriously – look at them! The light blue in the banner, the deeper blue that says ’starter kit’ on the box to the right, the taupe-y color used here for lettering. Kinda cool!
June 7th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
That’s funny Laura. You’re right, they do match and I love the colors. Good eye!
June 9th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Great story and terrific socks! Love the play on words…
I don’t crochet either, and I envy those who can!
June 10th, 2009 at 9:45 am
I just found your blog. It is awesome. Thanks for sharing. That is wonderful that you could care for your dad.
I’m an ER nurse and I see many families that accompany their aging parents and care for them so tenderly.
I have a question about your “mingle” from your previous posts. Is that common for your ward to do? Sounds like such a great thing.
June 10th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I’m with you Carolyn! I think I learned how to crochet a bit as a child but that’s all lost information now. There are a few women in my neighborhood who crochet, or maybe knit, these giant 100% wool bags and then wash them so that they shrink and felt. So cool! I really love the look and think it would be awesome diaper bag…for a g-baby down the road.
June 10th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I’m glad to hear that, Tauna. Our whole extended family learned so much from the experience of caring for our parents. It was hard but we learned some important stuff.
Our ward has done mingles about every other month, or at least every quarter, for about 5 or 6 years. The Bishop asks each organization to take a turn hosting a very simple cookies and treats potluck. I was going to say that the kids really look forward to it, but hey, we ALL look forward to it. Glad you said hello!