Tonight's picture was taken in March of 2009. That day we took Mattie for a walk around the National Mall in Washington, DC. There is nothing like the Nation's capital during the spring season. Things were beginning to turn green and blossom. What I love about this photo was even in a wheelchair, Mattie still made a point to collect something (a stick) along our journey.
Quote of the day: I believe all animals were created by God to help keep man alive. ~ Iwao Fujita
It was another red letter day here on the farm. My day began with my dad having a massive bowel movement in the shower (I wish this was it for today, but he went four different times!). No matter how many times I have told him not to do this, it doesn't compute. I even have a big bin in the shower where he can sit and go in an emergency. As I rather him go in a bin, rather than all over the shower. Mind you every morning before getting him into the shower I ask.... do you have to go to the bathroom. Forget it. Nothing works. Dementia is a cruel disease and some times I wonder who it is worse for..... the patient or the family member?
After a big clean up, I got him cleaned, dressed and downstairs for breakfast and then got him ready for his physical therapy session. Before his physical therapist came, I decided to call the VA Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services. They regulate non-profits and our ability to legally fundraise. A non-profit has to submit an application yearly and I have been trying to find out where our application was in the process of review. I called last week and have been checking the website daily.
Finally today, I hit the jackpot. A lovely man answered the phone and he took pity on me. He understood my desire to close the loop on this application and walked me through the yearly process, when to file again, and what I learned is once the agency receives the application and cashes our check, the non-profit is deemed in compliance with the agency's regulations. But his kindness did not end there. He literally asked me for the name of my non-profit, went through hundreds of applications that are on file and moved ours to the top of the list. Literally within thirty minutes, our application was approved and I received the certificate by email.
I do not know what I have done to meet this regulatory angel, but I am deeply grateful. My world is in absolute turmoil now and I have become accustomed to doing things myself and protecting myself. But without this kind soul, the Foundation would still be caught up in the que of applications! Each day despite living in hell, I try to find one good thing. This man wasn't just my one good thing for the day, but for my week!
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