September 2006. Do you remember what you were doing Labor Day weekend?
I do.
One arm was wrapped around my dad's shoulders, and the other was lifted to the sky. Tears were streaming down my face and my soul was crying out to my God.
For several minutes I didn't even realize that I was the one crying out. My voice loud, broken. My prayer was coming from the depths of my soul in a moment when I thought I was losing everything.
Earlier that day we were enjoying a beautiful blue bird day playing golf. My dad, my husband, and myself out on the golf course. I don't remember if the golfing itself was great, but the company was. Spending the day with my two favorite guys.
Andy and I and our just-turned-one Brady boy had moved only a couple months before from Ohio to live in Grand Lake. We were staying with my parents and making plans to build our own log home with my dad. It was a remarkable time of excitement and joy. I was so thrilled to be spending every day with my mom and dad and dreaming of what our future held. Never did I anticipate what that day would hold for us or how it would forever change my perspective. We were walking down a fairway, when my dad said something about his vision. He started seeing double, which very quickly made him nauseous. I asked if he wanted something to drink and offered him a bottle of Gatorade thinking he might be dehydrated. Things quickly got worse...Andy ran to find someone on a golf cart while I stayed with dad. He was lying on the grass now, obviously sick. Its strange in the midst of a crisis how your mind goes from one extreme to the other. Like thinking he just needed a drink, to thinking he was dying, to thinking he should just take a nap and he would be fine.
Eventually with some help, we were able to get him into a golf cart and back to the car. I don't think I fully processed until later just how strong my dad was as he crawled from the cart to the car. At home he again had to crawl into the house. He made it to the living room and laid down to rest. My mom, Andy, and I were confused and concerned...yet had no clue what was happening. As a family we have always avoided the ER/doctor's offices. Things usually clear up pretty quickly if you just rest, right? So we let him rest. Until Mom went over to ask if he needed anything, and he couldn't speak clearly to her. His voice was slurred as if his tongue had doubled in size. We all panicked. Mom called 911 and Andy and I tried to get dad to the car. As we tried to get dad into the backseat where he could lay down, he went completely limp. I had my arms under his shoulders and tried to hold him up. His eyes rolled back and his mouth was foaming. I started slapping his face trying to get him to stay with me but I thought he was gone. I saw him go. The next thing I knew I was praying with my hand outstretched to my Savior. Begging for more time with my dad. It was like Jesus was crying out for me. I certainly didn't have the mind to think of the words.
Romans 8:26 26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
And then he came back. His eyes fluttered and his hand weakly squeezed mine. Praise God.
Soon after the paramedics arrived and the rest is history. We found out later that he had what is called a mini stroke (although I would argue there is nothing "mini" about it). The doctors couldn't explain what kept it from becoming a full debilitating stroke, but I can. It was our Sovereign God. He was and is in control. I am forever changed. And I am forever grateful to my Lord and Savior for interceding on my behalf and allowing my dad to stay with us, whole, active, healthy. We have now enjoyed 8 1/2 years living life together. I cherish each and every moment that we have with him. He has invested in my kids daily lives...caring for them, playing with them, teaching them. I can't express the joy I hold in my heart when I watch the interaction and love between each of my kids and their Papa. (eh, except when Jacey is being ornery and won't let him near her.) Brady won't let him leave without a hug. Luke loves to work with his Papa...shoveling the deck or working on a project. Jolee begs to stay at his house. Jacey clings to him (when I am not around!). When we are at church and my parents are there also, our row suddenly disappears because all of the kids want to sit with Nana and Papa. Every week the kids campaign to stay at their house. Its a good problem to have! From overnights, to special snacks, skiing, swimming, attending their sports activities, picking them up for breakfast dates...Nana and Papa both have invested so much into our lives and we truly love living our lives with them. I try not to let my mind wander to what the past 8 1/2 years would have been like if things had turned out differently that day. But when I do, it reminds me to again thank the Lord for His blessing on us that day.
Happy Birthday Dad! I want you to know how much I am thankful for you! Thank you for your love, support, investment, interaction, and friendship. I appreciate you for who you are and what you do. Someday I know we will say goodbye, but for now I hope to continue to make the most of every moment we have.
And to others who may read this, I hope that this inspires you to make the most of the relationships you have. It sounds cliche, but don't take for granted this day and the people God allows you to interact with today. In life I feel like there is a tendency to believe that our current situation will just continue on, the way it is, for a long time. And yet the truth is we never know. Each day is precious. Some day there won't be another day...and it makes me all the more thankful for today.
No comments:
Post a Comment