I am grateful for the reminder yesterday of my parents’ anniversary. Their 64th. Two years ago, I wrote this:
I Know Who Holds the Future.
Yesterday was a big day.
To begin the day in the darkness of the morning before the sun rose, Angela was with Mom and witnessed her opening her eyes – Angela took the opportunity to say, “Good morning, Mom! Happy Anniversary!” Mom smiled and then went back into her sleep.
On their 62nd wedding anniversary, Dad thought he would never see Mom’s eyes again. She had fallen into a very deep sleep and we couldn’t awaken her. He got up and as the sun was rising, he knelt beside her and held her hand in the silence of her labored breathing.
At about 9 am, her granddaughter, Karissa, and three of Mom’s great grandchildren arrived. In an instant, Mom’s eyes opened, and she was with us once again. All she had to hear was the sound of children’s voices, and she was able to revive herself to enjoy a few more minutes enjoying company. That was the beginning of a very busy day.
Karissa and her 3-year-old daughter Anissa sang, friends and family members took turns visiting and sharing their love and support with the family and with Mom, prayers were said, phone calls were received, nurses attended to Mom and in the afternoon, a hospital bed arrived and was set up in the living room so that she can be more comfortable as she transitions. It is arranged so that she can look out the window or participate in conversation.
She rallied once again. Ever the mom, always Grace, she relishes company and large gatherings of people. She doesn’t want to miss a thing. And so she fought the medicine that allows her to sleep and stayed as focused as possible to her surroundings.
When Dad once again knelt by her side, holding her head and her hand, he said, “You didn’t miss your anniversary.” And she looked at him and smiled.
It was a big day.
As I type this, all is quiet, except for Mom’s labored breathing and a train whistle outside. Who knows what today will bring. Maybe it will be another day full of company and encouraging words. Maybe it will be a day of many tears and memories shared. Maybe it will be the day that God opens the doors and welcomes her home. I do not know. But the song that He has placed on my heart in the night is this…
I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day, I don’t borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray,
I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said, And today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead.
I don’t know about tomorrow, it may bring me poverty. But the One Who feeds the sparrow, is the One Who stands by me. And the path that be my portion, may be through the flame or flood,
But His presence goes before me, and I’m covered with His blood.
Every step is getting brighter, as the golden stairs I climb, Every burden getting lighter, every cloud is silver lined.
There the sun is always shining, there no tear will dim the eye, At the ending of the rainbow, where the mountains touch the sky.
Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand, But I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand.
Thank you for your visits, your phone calls, your offers of food, your prayers. Speaking on behalf of the family, we feel your presence and support, and it is very comforting to know that Mom has had such an impact on so many.
– Rhonda
I am grateful for reminders, for painful, but good memories.
I am grateful for 24 hours with my daughter and her family in Oklahoma City this past weekend.
I am grateful for tugs and pulls and “Ama! Ama! Ama! Ama! Ama!”
I am grateful for my daughter’s smile.
I am grateful for a son-in-law who doesn’t pawn off bathroom/potty duty to his wife but takes care of his children in the middle of dinner.
I am grateful for all of my children who make my heart sing…
I am grateful for a beautiful sunset as we drove home. (Thank you, Kristy, for taking this picture of last night’s Oklahoma sunset so that I could share it. This is exactly what we saw, too.)
I am grateful for the privilege of watching and listening to the church service and message as we drove.
I am grateful for the comfortable feeling of contentment and enjoyment I have, riding along in the car next to my best friend.
I am grateful to be home, going nowhere, spending no money, eating at the table, getting back to normal.
WE WILL HAVE TO REPENT IN THIS GENERATION NOT MERELY FOR THE HATEFUL WORDS AND ACTIONS OF BAD PEOPLE BUT FOR THE APPALLING SILENCE OF THE GOOD PEOPLE. – Martin Luther King, Jr.
I am grateful for Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wisdom. I am grateful that a growing number in this country celebrate this day by honoring Dr. King through works of service to others.
I am grateful for blue sky without clouds, flowers that shout praise, sunshine after rainy days, and a return to pure joy.
I am grateful for just enough strength, just enough rest, just enough light, more than enough grace and help, and an overflowing abundance of sympathy and love.
God Hath Not Promised – Annie Johnson Flint
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 labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
rhondaisgrateful 