Prayers are conversations with God. We talk to Him about our hopes and desires. We praise Him and give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. And sometimes we ask him for things. Big things, small things, miraculous things. And sometimes he answers in a way that we don’t expect.
As you know, I’ve been asking God for a miraculous healing for my mother-in-law, Natalie.
Fiddledaddy and I spent the day at the hospital, waiting for test results to come back. Because we’re insane, we brought along our entourage, in the form of 3 high spirited children. Last night Emme and Cailey campaigned hard to be able to see their grandmother, and we obliged. We intended only to stay an hour or so, but the hour turned into 6 plus change. Precious family members came, and we hunkered down, sampling the hospital food cafe and all the vending machines on the 5th floor. I find it interesting that the cardiac care unit has an abundance of hydrogenated snacking options at every corner.
You can be sure that there was no shortage of drama, because at one point Jensen announced that he lost his pet lizard in the hospital room. The family knew this particular lizard is of the rubber variety. The nurse on duty, however, did not. There was also singing, with coordinated dance moves. And a daring plan to hijack our patient and take her home. But we could not fit her bed into the elevator.
When the children began swinging from the IV poles, it was determined that I should take them home, leaving Fiddledaddy to await news.
The doctor arrived a while after I left. My husband was there with two of his sisters, plus a sister-in-law. It seems that God has answered our prayers. But Natalie’s miraculous healing will occur in heaven. She has been diagnosed with late stage Lymphoma. Her doctor said that if it was his mother, he would take her home with hospice care, making her as comfortable as possible. My SIL, Cathy, had the unenviable task of heading over to her childhood house to tell her daddy, who had already left for the night, that his girlfriend of nearly 60 years is dying.
Many decisions will need to be made, and I don’t know how long she has. From her rapid decline, I would guess not long. I do know that this large group of people, my tribe, will pull together and surround this woman who is the very heart of this family. Never has it ever been so clear to me what a blessing it is to me that my husband made me a part of this family many years ago.
Fiddledaddy has been a solid rock through all of this. The kids took the news very hard. Especially Jensen who wailed long and loud. He is a boy who feels things very deeply. Through heaving sobs he made a tearful observation, “LIFE IS COMPLICATED.”
Indeed. But God’s grace and mercies will sustain us always.
Again, thank you for your continued prayers.
John 14: 1-3 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
{ 34 comments }
I’m so sorry! I am thankful you have close relationships here on earth to see you through this time and a heavenly Father to lean on. Blessings to your entire “tribe” from Arizona.
(((hugs))) for you all. It is a difficult but blessed time. Your family will be in my prayers.
Hugs, prayers, and tears for your family. I’m so sorry for the bad news, but I find joy in your faith.
Your family will be in my prayers. Peace to you all throughout this difficult time.
My prayers are with you all. May God heal her quickly in His way while He gathers you in His loving arms. I pray for His peace to fill each one of you, giving you and Fiddledaddy all that you need in the days ahead.
I am so sorry to hear that, Dee Dee. I am lifting up Natalie and all of the family in prayer. I pray that God will give you all peace and comfort that can only come from Him. He is indeed the Great Physician. God bless you all.
So sorry to hear. I know you will cherish the time you have with her.
Dee Dee… Reading this thru many tears. I read the title of your post and couldn’t wait to read it. So hopefully for all of you. And God reminded me that all our hope is in Him, not doctors and medicine. May the hope of one day being with Natalie again give you peace and comfort.
Please know that I will continue to keep all of you in my prayers.
I so wish you lived down the street. I’d sure be cooking up a casserole to bring over
Please know that your friend in Texas is praying for you and your family. God is good…all the time! Hugs!!
I have never met you, nor have I met your lovely family but yet, I am still sitting here with tears streaming down my face. I, too, had been so hopeful for a complete healing. But our Lord has other plans and His plans are ALWAYS for good…even when we can’t see it. Praying for your family as you make decisions regarding this precious member of your family.
Oh Honey, I’m so sorry. Lots of hugs from Minne-snow-ta. TONS of pictures taken in the coming days, you’ll cherish them later.
I know I haven’t posted, but I have been thinking and praying for you all.
My Grams passed away a couple of years ago in my parents home after they recommended taking her home and making her comfortable. It was a bittersweet experience, but I am so very glad that I had the opportunity to tell this beloved woman that I loved her, and I’d see her in heaven.
Blessings to you all.
I am so sorry, my friend. One day there will be no more dying and our tears will be wiped away. And one day there will be amazing reunions in heaven. But for now, we grieve, because life was not meant to be this way. Death was not part of the original plan. And our hearts break. Praying for you and your family during this time. And so thankful that God has blessed you with such an incredible family. Love you…
I’m so sorry; my prayers are with you and your family.
I am sooo sorry to hear this news. Breaks my heart for you and your sweet family. Will be praying for God’s tender care for all of you as you walk through this. Hugs.
I read this with tears. I realize that we do not even know each other but it seems like so many are struggling with news such as this. I will most definitely lift your family up in prayer over the next few weeks. God will walk this way with you all.
Praying that God’s comfort and peace will sustain you all in the days to come and that you will feel His loving arms around you in tangible ways.
I also had tears as I read your post…but your words are so comforting and a wonderful testimony. Prayers for the coming days for your family.
So sorry, DeeDee. This stinks, but you have a great attitude. I am thankful you have an amazing extended family to support one another, and an awesome circle of friends to help when times are rough. We are blessed when God gives us a great tribe, as you call it, to ‘do life’ together. Prayers are coming your way.
So sorry, Dee. Praying for y’all. May you sense His peace and presence in the days ahead.
I’ve been praying and asking the Lord to bless you with His comfort and peace, and I believe that He will because He loves you very much. As Truvy, in Steel Magnolia, says, “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.”
This scripture reminds me of the hope in Miss Natalie’s heavenly healing, Jeremiah 30:17 “For I will restore you to health and I will heal you of your wounds,’ declares the LORD…”
Blessings on you and yours,
Destiny
I don’t know you or your family but I am feeling your pain very intensely. I lost my mother a little over 3 weeks ago. She was only 67. She had been cancer free for 4 years when it returned with a vengance, passing away 8 weeks to the day after it was re-diagnosed. We, my siblings and I, feel the same way you do. Our prayers were answered. We knew that once the cancer returned it was a life sentence. There was no longer chance for a cure. We prayed for pain free days and healing, knowing her death would be the cure. Maybe I’m still in shock but I keep telling people — and I truly, truly believe — that she IS in a better place. We miss her terribly and we never ever wanted to be in this place of loss but we know that she is with her parents, friends and relatives that have gone before her. Being Catholic means I am terrible with Bible verses! but the theme of the Gospel read at her funeral mass was that Jesus had many rooms prepared for her and would not make that promise if it weren’t true. I will for your mother-in-law, and for your family.
I’m so very sorry. Your family will be in my prayers.
Oh, my heart. Wrapping you all up in prayers and sending hugs.
My heart goes out to your precious family.
I’m so sorry, Dee Dee. Your family will be in my prayers and I pray that Natalie will be comforted in her last bit of time here.
With love, prayers and deepest heartfelt sympathy for you, my precious friend.
Jules
I am so sorry my friend. I am praying for all of you. I pray this will be a time of grace, comfort and peace and that The Lord’s presence will be felt in a strong way. What an amazing family you are blessed with! You all are loved. Please know we are here if you need anything.
I’m so very sorry, Dee Dee. As beautiful as we know her new life will be, it is so hard on those of us who are left behind. It’s OK that any tears shed are selfish. What a testimony her life has been and your family’s response will be to so many people. I will be praying that you all will feel His peace and comfort during this difficult time!
Blessings to you!
WE have walked this road, with my dad. HIs short time given at diagnosis was no where near the prediction. But in the end, it was precious time of “saying all we needed to say: with tears and laughter. Just like we had lived with him.
I am praying for all of you. Loss is never easy, and yes Jensen, life is complicated.
But sometimes that is what makes the journey worthwhile.
♥to all of you.
Praying for you all.
You all continue to be in our prayers. (((HUGS)))
Many prayers coming your way……
“God, we thank you for your great many blessings Natalie has brought to this world. While we don’t understand everything that happens, we can rest in your presence, and know that you know what you’re doing. Bring your comforting presence to Dee Dee and the rest of Natalie’s family, especially her kids, grand-kids and boyfriend of 60 precious years.”
Reading your updates has brought back many memories of losing my sweet (yet feisty) grandmother. She too was in hospice for the last weeks of her life, and every time we would leave her side I would say to her, “If I don’t see you tomorrow, I’ll see you in heaven”.
I am so thankful that we have a hope that transcends this lifetime. God is good, even when we can’t see…….
I am so very sorry that your family will have to endure this loss. We lost my mother-in-law on December 28, 2009 – exactly three weeks after she was diagnosed with liver cancer. It was a very difficult time, especially for my kids, who were 8 and 12. But the Lord sustained us, just as He will sustain you. My prayers are with you.
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