Time flies when you are having fun…..or not.
My month away from Prairie Pointe was so hectic, I had to come back to get some rest. About half of “the list” remains but I got a lot accomplished in spite of the ice storm.
Who would think that right here in middle America we could experience a pandemic, a devastating ice storm and power outages at the same time as the most consequential presidential election in our lifetime will occur. We certainly have ample hardship stories for our grandchildren.
Remember hearing “I walked 3 miles uphill barefoot in the snow to go to school.” I think we might could beat those stories now.
And God help us if there is civil unrest after the election. Makes me hark back to the wisdom of Bill Provines, former Davenport Mayor and Prairie Pointe resident, when he would quote the phrase “My liberty ends where your nose begins.”
I hope each of you voted either by mail or in person. Remember, if you didn’t vote, you can’t complain.
Even though there were power outages all around us last week, Prairie Pointe had no troubles whatsoever. Should power go out, we have a generator that kicks on automatically. It does not power the entire building but enough for us to get by.
Our hearts were saddened by the death of resident Phil Johnson recently. Phil and his little dog Foxy were an integral part of our Prairie Pointe family. Phil was retired Air Force and had served overseas and held top level positions in the Pentagon.
He was an amazingly intelligent and interesting fellow. He was our resident COVID statistic reporter and briefed us daily on the numbers for Oklahoma as well as nationwide. He was a member of the Methodist Church and an active leader with our Prairie Pointe Sunday services. Our sincere sympathies go out to his sister Teri Fuchs and husband Don of Davenport.
We were also shocked by the passing of James Miller this past weekend. James and Bonnie recuperated at Prairie Pointe a short while two years ago. James was the last of the four brothers – Manzo, Hoyt, Edwin and James - who built a trucking empire here in Stroud.
My very first office job was working for them as an assistant to Bonnie Miller. Oh, the stories I can tell! Hard work and honesty is their trademark and today you can see Miller Trucking trucks in nearly every state from coast to coast hauling just about anything that can be transported.
This is a huge loss for the entire Miller family and staff of Miller Trucking. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
Well wishes go out to Martha Bookout who is receiving physical therapy at the Drumright Hospital after a fractured femur.
On a much brighter note, Danny Miller of Meeker recently entertained outside and socially distanced at Prairie Pointe. Danny is always a delight and we certainly enjoy his gift of singing, playing and songwriting.
Danny’s wife, LaDon, has been in our prayers as she recovers from a bout with cancer.
Rae Bland’s devotional last Sunday was on forgiveness. Margie Testerman read Matthew 18. We were reminded that God will not forgive us if we fail to forgive others. The meeting ended with our joining in singing hymns with Alan Jackson.
My oldest turned 44 in October and when asked how it felt, he told me “Probably a lot better than if I had a kid that was 44.” Smart alec!
Guess who is back from California? Yes, Mr. Jean Edward Barrett has returned! I have not gotten the entire scoop but I think it’s safe to say it was not what he expected. Wonder who told him that before he left?
Finally, I am sure everyone is aware of the increase in positive COVID tests in Lincoln County as well as the increase in hospitalizations and deaths due to this highly contagious disease.
Governor Stitt has announced additions to the state’s hospital surge plan last week. The number of patients in a hospital bed has risen steadily since June and the stress level for hospital doctors and nurses is off the charts.
Few of us can say we don’t know someone who has contracted this virus and required hospitalization. My brother spent a month in the hospital and a week of that on a ventilator.
We take this virus very serious at Prairie Pointe and (knock on particle board) we have had no cases among our residents or staff so far. Everyone can help our hospitals by practicing social distancing, washing your hands frequently and WEAR A MASK in public.
You can also help keep safe those who live in communal settings such as assisted livings and nursing homes where in all likelihood the virus will be brought in by a staff member.
You could be a carrier and have no symptoms and unintentionally give it to someone who works in a hospital or nursing home. They, in turn, could give it to a resident and it be deadly.
It is also imperative we keep our schools and businesses open. If a mask helps accomplish that, we have an obligation to do whatever we can to help.
PLEASE WEAR A MASK, SOCIAL DISTANCE AND WASH HANDS FREQUENTLY to help our hospitals and care centers from an overwhelming surge of cases and help all our lives return to some semblance of normalcy.