Three Years Ago

Three years ago was the hardest week of my life. It is unfathomably of all that happened in one week’s time. Everything being life changing.

Friday, June 23

My daughter-in-law’s father fell approximately 60’-65’ as he was rock climbing. It was quite a mission to locate him. He was finally found with severe injuries and flown to an Indianapolis hospital. 

On the same day, my friend, Matt’s impella (heart pump) was removed. Matt knew this was his death sentence. He was no longer a candidate for a new heart. His tired body couldn’t take anymore extensive procedures, and honestly, there were no longer any options left. When the doctor asked him if he was ready, Matt said he was. I can’t even imagine being asked that question. 

Saturday, June 24

Matt passed at 8:37 am.

Sunday, June 25

My second oldest son, Jet, was to be returning home from Africa where he had been producing a documentary. Instead his wife, (the same daughter-in-law whose father fell on Friday) receives a vague message from Jet that he was in a small hospital in Paris somewhere near the airport. We couldn’t find him right away. We only had small clues. We called the US embassy but they could only help so much since it was on a Sunday. Finally we did find him but it was very difficult to get information because of the language barrier. What we soon discovered though was that he was deathly sick with malaria and in renal failure. After a week, he was able to come home but was immediately admitted to the same hospital, one floor above, where his father-in-law was.

Friday, June 30

I did not know this at the time, but my brother, Dan, was admitted to a hospital in North Carolina.

Saturday, July 1

Before attending Matt’s, Celebration of Life, I received a call from my brother. He told me he has leukemia. 

Life changing events. 

My brother is in remission. He will continue to take meds (chemo) for the rest of his life, but we are thrilled with his progress. 

My son’s father-in-law is paralyzed from the waist down and suffers much nerve pain. His quality of life has been greatly reduced. 

Jet has lingering issues from malaria. His eyesight has been affected and he has a lower back issue. When he was flying from Senegal to Paris, he was very sick. According to the flight notes, the crew thought he was intoxicated. Actually, he was in a coma. The constant bouncing on the plane without proper support of his muscles caused extreme trauma to his low back. But Jet is resilient. He doesn’t allow much to get in the way of life and living. He cherishes every moment. 

We don’t know what a single day holds for us. One phone call, one text, can change our life forever. We aren’t promised a life without pain, trials, or sadness.

 I’d like to share this poem with you by Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932).

God hath not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through;
God hath not promised
Sun without rain
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.

But God hath promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labour,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.

♥️

Andi