Lemme post this quickly. My father was diagnosed with pneumonia, but took a bad turn with his health and was admitted to a heart monitoring floor for dangerously high blood pressures and heart failure. My mother -- on the same day, was rushed into emergency surgery for something else.
And I was 4 hours away and 4 hours behind in the news notifications. I was scared, but waited until Friday night to leave work midshift and drive into the darkness to be home with my mom. She sounded strong, but I know her and her strength is both short lived and and not very solid.
Today I saw my dad and had a very honest conversation with him about how my sister desires a relationship with him but he keeps rejecting her. I cried.
And he cried.
It was hard to watch a grown man who prides himself on physical strength and determination to break down and cry as he was faced with his own mortality.
He'd come to terms with the stark fact-- he could have died yesterday. Now he needs to preserve and continue on in good health. I took my mother to her appt, then to see my father and she nearly broke down when she looked my father. He's alive (praise GOD) and up, eating, walking, talking and all of that.
My sister is on the way (traveling around 7 - 8 hours via car) to visit my father, and --really, because I need her help. I cant bare this (emotional load) alone. I can tell you one thing: the prayers, texts, tweets and support that I've received from my friends has been tremendously encouraging. It's true, how you never know who cares about you until you're down.
Praise God.
5 comments:
Asking the Lord to sustain you with His strength; to give your father revelation of who He is; to give good health to your father and mother and to give reconciliation between your Dad and sister. His Name be praised and glorified. Peace.
Thank you Marie. My sister made it up (Safely) and was able to spend some quiet (tender) moments with my dad alone yesterday. (Praise God). She didnt get into it (the details of the conversation) but apparently it was a good one.
As for me, I'm sitting in the role of the caregiver -- which is difficult. Parenting a sick mother once again. Eh, I'll blog about it.
Your prayers were spot on though, JUST what was needed. I feel like this is a turning point, not just a place on the journey.
Having been a caregiver twice in my life, I know how hard and draining it can be. When my husband was sick, I finally learned to throw it all on the Lord because I had just about given out. He was good to give that supernatural strength to continue on and my husband is doing well now for many years since.
I hope you will not be entirely responsible for caring for both your parents, but I will continue to pray the Lord gives you His supernatural strength to do all that is required of you at this time. May He also fill your heart to overflowing with His love, peace and forgiveness.
You are honoring your parents by standing by them in this time of great need, thereby honoring your Father in heaven. Many, many blessings be poured out on you as you are about your Father's business.
Wow Marie, I didnt know that (of you and your life) but I thank you that you've shared that with me.
(Takes a moment of reflection)... As both parents regain their strength and adapt back into their roles, I'll tell you that it has been really healing for each of us in the family. I've had some really great conversations with my sister, just letting her know that she IS needed during this time and that she can be of assistance; and that she's wanted here too. Talks with my dad have been open and honest, and without all the BS and fairy-tales (Life or death situations will do that to you huh? Put all the cards out on the table). He's been able to express himself to each of his daughters (me and my sister) plus his wife (my mother). I sat down and talked with my mother about some of her (passive aggressive/defense mechanisms) and let her know that we're here for her so stop making us jump through hoops and leading us thru the brier patch to do things. Just ask -- and cut out all the hostility and the need for control ppl.
It went well. (Of course I cushioned it up better than that) But she received it and that was the point. And those are communication skills she can take with her in the future to lessen the stress around here. (Cuz I'm going back home Friday for some R and R before going back to work.)
Thank you Marie for your continued support, and guidance and for speaking the Word of God in the midst of my situations.
Its good to hear your testimony and YES! Be able to experience that supernatural strength from the Lord. Glad your husband made it thru that situation and is still doing well. That is outstanding.
Happy New Year to you.
Happy New Year to you too! I pray 2012 will be the year God sends you His man for you and that your family draws ever closer to Him and to each other. Whatever the year holds for you I know the Lord will use you in mighty ways to show Himself strong. I also ask Him to bless you with His sweet rest with the assurance that He is the One who holds you and paves the road ahead of you.
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