Extreme Joy! Incredible Agony!
Beautiful, Perfect, Precious little Abigail Grace made her appearance to this world on Saturday, June 30. We celebrated like crazy people; trying our best to keep things to a low roar while visiting the hospital.
As I sat with everyone there, the post title twirling in my head was: "My Cup Runneth Over!" And surely it does.
Then Monday I got two phone calls:
- One saying Joy would likely be released early; that afternoon as a matter of fact. Let the scrambling begin!
- The second call came later from a hospital in Panama City, FL. My dad was in the emergency room with life-threatening blood clots in his legs and lung. Someone needed to get there asap!
Enter the agony!
Am I mother first or daughter first?
Can my sister go with her family? (They live in NC.)
If we go at the same time, who will be there to care for him when he gets out?
What do you mean they're taking Joy's staples out two days early?
What's the treatment plan for Abigail's slight jaundice?
Can someone please explain the procedure you're about to do on Dad?
Book Ends!
After multiple phone calls, texts, and a couple of intense "information gathering" conversations with hospital personnel, we came up with a plan.
My sister and her husband would go to Panama City first. They would asses the situation and if he was out of danger, I would come in just before his hospital release to stay til he was back on his feet.
Major call for prayer!
Joy and Abigail got home safely. Joy went back to the doctor to have the staples removed at the regular time. Abby was declared just fine by the pediatrician. Spencer loves "his" baby and gives gentle kisses regularly.
(I thought I had figured out how to pull a picture from facebook to share with you. I knew you would all be so proud of me. I'm still working on it. But with this much motivation - TWO beautiful babies for you to see - it won't be long now! Then you'll be sorry you ever asked.)
I did go to stay with my dad for five days. Three of those overlapped with my sister's time which was a wonderful gift for us. Navigating family difficulties is much easier with help.
Dad is now home, resting comfortably.
And I've let myself cry more than usual. I'm not ordinarily a weepy woman. It always seemed important that Frank know if I DID cry, he should pay attention.
The past two weeks of my life have merited tears; lots of tears. Tears of joy and of sorrow.
These two weeks have been a microcosm of life at it's fullest. Extreme Joy book ended by Incredible Agony. Can't have one without the other it seems.
While traveling the seven hours to help my dad, I kept a note card with the following scripture beside me. "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." Ps. 29:11.
If the bookends of life are squeezing you a bit, grab hold of that scripture. It's a great one for bringing order to the intensity!
I had no idea what was going on and was suspicious with no pics of Abigail showing up! So sorry to hear of your Dad's trials! So thrilled to hear Abigail is home & all are well and Spencer got the gentle kiss down pat! It's a good thing bookends are made to contain stuff! Quite frankly, I find crying to be the best physical release/stress reliever when in a number of situations...God gave us the ability to cry for a reason - yes? I may get to be a soggy warrior sometimes, but I'm still a warrior and so are you!
ReplyDelete