I almost took my first week off of blogging since the beginning of the year. Due to a really rough day yesterday and an impending vacation, I felt like I might need a blog break. But instead I decided to write about the week since it helps me cope.
The beginning of the week went according to routine. Then came Thursday.
Many Emotions
As I said last week, everyone has been waiting over a week for my friend’s brain tumor biopsy results to come back. Friend has been waiting in the comfort of her own home and doing well. Her confusion improves a little bit each day, and she feels stronger physically.
Yesterday I felt nervous ever since waking up in the morning. I felt like it might be results day. Early afternoon I became especially distracted and almost texted Friend’s family to ask if they had heard anything.
Mid afternoon the sky became dark and stormy while at work. The tornado sirens sounded, we all went to the designated area briefly, and then returned to our duties when we thought the storm had passed. I was juggling the phones and clients when my director came out of her office saying a tornado had just hit my husband’s place of employment. Just minutes before I read a text from him. I knew he was in a tornado shelter and laying low, so I felt he was safe. Later I learned many others had been injured and much damage had been done- buildings lost, cars and trucks smashed, metal twisted. It all happened so fast.
In the middle of the storm, trying to do my job and checking on family members for safety, a text came through about Friend. The biopsy showed only dead cells, none of the tissue viable enough to make a diagnosis. Mayo suspects a high grade cancer, but can’t begin to give a definite answer. After all that waiting in anguish, today Friend is back at the hospital for a second biopsy. And needless to say, following the second biopsy will be more waiting in anguish.
The Point of Thursday
I give a brief synopsis of my Thursday because I want to follow it up with an important point.
A co-worker and I happen to have a conversation earlier this week about examining one’s life. My co worker told of her friend that suddenly lost her 27 year old son in a brief but somewhat mysterious illness. Ten years ago this woman thought she never would be able to handle this kind of tragedy, but made it through with unbelievable strength. I talked about my young Friend with a brain tumor, and how she has already said she feels peace with whatever happens.
My point, and one my co worker mentioned earlier this week, is this: Be Ready.
Decide what you stand for and where your priorities lie. Know your position with those around you and if you aren’t happy with it, make it right. And most of all, decide what you want for when earthly life is done.
My family has chosen to walk with God. We follow His words in the Bible and do our best to carry out His will while here on earth. When that storm comes, we know the peace that passes all understanding. And when life ends, we know where we will be- in heaven with Him.
I teach this to my children because it is what I believe to be true. Obviously many disagree with me. Hurts in this world make humans doubt His truth, and some would rather think life just ends when we die. But for me, I would rather focus on God than the hurts. If I am wrong, nothing much happens after I die. But I would rather believe and forever rest in God’s glory than not believe and miss out on an existence more glorious than anyone could imagine. God promises us this.
I have known tragedy and I have known joy. God has been faithful in both phases of life. Because I lean on Him, He sees me through. I speak from experience.
No One Knows So Think Ahead
Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. One could suddenly lose a child or develop a brain tumor. A storm might pop up at any moment and take what one has so carefully built. So just be ready. You don’t have to agree with my form of readiness. But please figure out your own.
Curveball- Suddenly Difficult News
My Biggest Warm Fuzzy- A Loved One Lost
First Tale of Quirky Grandmothers- Gramma R
