What a beautiful message Nadine shared from others who are struggling and looking to the Lord for their vision and strength.
The weekend I spent in Pittsburgh was indeed wonderful. Deborah, Miles, Claire and I cheered for Grant as the coach of the varsity boys' tennis team at Hampton HS. They won! I was able to attend class with Miles at the DePaul School for Hearing and Speech. Miles goes there two mornings a week and I loved meeting his teachers and 5 classmates. We are so thankful for the gift DePaul is in helping Miles.
Off to the South Hills and spending some time with Nadine. The home she and John bought is terrific. Lots of spacious rooms and a gorgeous piece of property in Upper St. Clair section of Pittsburgh. John is such a hard worker as he begins repairs on the house. Nadine would like it done and decorated yesterday. She is her mother's child. John was always kind to return to his house early to give Nadine and I special time together.
Grant and all arrived early Saturday morning and all of us were together for the next two days as we helped Nadine' friend Lori prepare for the shower. Deborah did a lovely job decorating tables and the room. I, of course, spent more of my time playing with Miles, who is fascinated with the water faucet on the new refrigerator, and Claire who smiles and laughs at everyone.
It was so very special to attend the shower and see friends. How thankful I am for their support and love.
Back home to reality and an appointment yesterday at HUP. I met with a Gastorenterologist who is recommending a sigmoidoscopy at the end of May. He doesn't want to do anything to upset the "apple cart" before the wedding. The doctor feels that a colon stent may be necessary. My stomach clenches each time we turn into the underground parking garage at HUP. I wonder what is next.
I pray the the Lord will be my vision today as I keep my eyes focused on Him. Thank you for caring enough to read this blog and your continued prayers and support.
Love,
Deb
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Deb, sorry, here's another rambling, stream-of-consciousness post!
ReplyDeleteHere it is May 1, 2010 -- three weeks before Nadine & John's marriage, and your & Will's 36 year 5 month wedding anniversary!
I think often of Will's blog post about the Rick Warren interview where Warren described joy and sadness being like "two rails on a railroad track." Here you are in an afterglow of wonderful time with your kids & grandkids last weekend, anticipating Nadine & John's wedding. But also with "clenched stomach," never knowing how cancer is going to affect your life next.
We all wish your life could be roses with no thorns. Since it can't, we pray for a maximum of roses and a minimum of thorns.
I woke up before Michael this morning and lay in bed thinking about you & praying for you. Birds in the front yard were chirping their little heads off at 5:30 a.m.!
I thought about how you two and we said our vows in 1973 (whether we said these exact words or not), "to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health," never imagining how serious that sickness could be, but also not knowing it could actually increase the cherishing. I thought about all you & Will endured this winter -- not just the chemo, but the seemingly endless bone-chilling cold and snow and ice, as you tried to navigate from your neighborhood to appointments.
God never lets winter go on forever.
"For lo, the winter is past, the rain (or snow!) is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land."
Song of Solomon 2:11,12
I thought about how you said Will read the Song of Solomon to you on your honeymoon, and how romantic I thought that was.
There's a wonderful poem about savoring a newborn being more important than housework, that goes:
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait 'til tomorrow
For babies grow up we learn to our sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep,
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.
I'm praying for your cancer to "quiet down" for at least the next 3 weeks so you can focus on celebrating Nadine & John's marriage. That, in spite of all the uncertainty in your life, you can enjoy the flowers, birdsong, and love of family & friends.
Love,
B.J.