I went to the Los Angeles area to visit with my mother and my son. My mother just went into a convalescent hospital after going to the hospital several times and my son was getting hernia surgery right after joining the Marines.

My brother was concerned that my mom may not be around much longer and I have not seen her for a long time. My son moved to Oregon almost two years ago and then shipped out to boot camp in San Diego a couple months ago. So, it was time to see both of them, even though it was not very convenient for me.

My visit with my mother was very good, much better than I thought it would me. My mother can be very negative and controlling. Our family is not very close and I am the only Christan.

Amazingly my mother was in good health the entire week. There was no sign that she was dying soon. But, it is obvious that it is very hard for her to move out of her own place into a convalescent hospital-that is understandable.

Over the years I have learned that we can only talk about surface stuff (which is hard for me-I am a 'deep' person), so it went well with this visit since I did not bring up anything which would cause conflict (which can almost be anything). We mostly just played Yahtzee together, which meant much to her since my brother and his wife have no time to do this with their very busy schedules. At 76, she has a very alert mind (she can add faster than me).

I know it has to be hard with a sound mind, but a body that is dying. My mother has emphysema, morbid obesity, arthritis, and now her heart is not as strong as it had been for years. Because of her health conditions, pneumonia or the flu could take her out. She really goes downhill when she gets sick. Much of her health problems has been the result of her negative attitude and poor coping skills. She has some unforgiveness from years ago. She has very poor skills in relating to people-nobody is good enough.

Even though my mother is very old and stubborn in her ways, I pray that she will still come to a saving relationship with Jesus. She watches Christian TV so she is exposed to the gospel all the time. I pray as things get worse for her in various areas of her life, she will see the need to call out to God for help and receive Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

I was blessed to be able to see my son Joshua. Because he is in boot camp (medical devision because they knew he would need hernia surgery when he was recruited), it is almost impossible to have contact with him. Because of the surgery, they allowed me to visit with him.

Joshua and I got to visit a few hours before his surgery and we visited for a few hours after his surgery. It was a long day for me. Got up at 3:00am and did not get home until 11:00pm, but it was worth it.

He is doing good in the Marines. Until he can officially go into boot camp in a month, he has been a scribe and has regularly contact with Drill Sergeants, Lieutenants and other commissioned officers. They all like him. He told me he does good with rules and loves the Marines even though at times it has been very hard on him.

As a parent I was too strict with my son and have had regrets, but I guess that without me knowing it, I was preparing him for the Marines.

I am praying that my son gets closer to the Lord. At one time he was an assistant youth leader. For the last few years he has not been serving the Lord. According to the world's standards he has not been that bad of a young man, but he needs to get back to a closer relationship with Jesus.

The trip to L.A. cost me financially (but my Mom did help out some on this), and put me way behind in work. Because I am self-employed, there is more than the cost of flying-there is lost business, behind in work, etc. I was hoping I could have some vacation time while gone, but with the visiting, packing my mother's belongings, etc. I was busy the whole time. But I have no regrets. I am thankful that I could visit my mother and son.