Last week Paul, my son-in-law, said that I ought to take Grandpa (what he calls his father-in-law) out to dinner once a week. He used a phrase that summed up the motive for this suggestion. He has noticed that the Cokers have a “rhythm to life.” We tend to do activities in a consistent way, like scheduled tasks. I like that term “rhythm” for it does describe our routine of living. I’m comfortable with our rhythm. And I’ll demonstrate what Paul has observed.
Mondays I connect with Chad Allen’s Book Camp: “Work Together.” For five Tuesdays I will have classes on Platform. Wednesdays and Thursdays don’t have weekly events. Friday is my laundry day and Saturday is for housecleaning. Sundays we worship, now at church.
Yes, we have gone out for dinner on occasion. Bill enjoys eating out, but he likes best to go inside a restaurant. That limits our choices this season of restrictions.
As for our daily schedule, we watch TV shows or movies after supper. It’s a time when Bill wants me by his side on the couch. It’s not a time for me to finish anything started at the computer. He comes to the study to get me. While sitting next to Bill, I may have a coloring book on my lap, but he wants to know what I’m doing. It’s pay attention time. We head to bed at 10 PM, take our showers, take turns saying a prayer, and sleep about eight hours.
We’re up around 7 AM and get ready for the day. Bill is in charge of coffee and getting his Cocoa Puffs in the kitchen. I take my yogurt, berries, and granola to the study and eat while reading my Bible and devotional books. Bill’s habit of reading has decreased because of his dementia. He says, “I’ve done that all my life.” The truth is: he doesn’t comprehend what he’s reading. He has read a devotional publication when available, but often needs to be reminded. I’ve had to accept this as part of his disease, for it’s not an issue to be judged.
Bill spends his days with computer games, but has lately been confused by the rules. About mid-afternoon, he turns on the TV to watch old westerns and other shows. He often naps, but he would not admit that. He watches the clock and lets us know when it’s time for a meal.
Bill’s first book will be available this December. It’s titled Words of Endearment: The Ten Commandments as a Revelation of God’s Love. Other books are in process: Pastoral Prayers, Advent, the Church, and Holiness.
My days are mostly filled with writing, editing, and promoting. I tend to spend mornings reading and afternoons writing. I have my book proposal almost completed, so the next step is an agent or publisher. It’s a companion book for The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. Title: Journey with Bunyan’s Pilgrim.
I’ve found that I like the process of building a Platform and Marketing, including Beta Readers and a Launch Team who have been invaluable. If you want to keep informed, send me your email address so I can add you as a subscriber.
Is it not obvious that we’re living in a rhythm? I don’t consider myself task-oriented, but I like to know at the end of the day that I’ve been productive. Is that a contradiction? Life is a process of steps, bit by big, moving us to form the big picture of leaving a legacy. Yes, it’s a comfortable rhythm.
Oh, I’ll not apologize for the commercials, for you are part of our community in rhythm.
Ann Coker 