Life is Precious--A Gift from God

Sometimes the best laid plans of ours can go awry. Lynn and I were planning to go out for supper on Saturday night; then on Sunday we had been invited to visit friends at their home on Lake Wawasee. We were really looking forward to it, as we hadn't been there for a long time.

Speaking of looking forward, Lynn's sister-in-law, Jan, has a terminal lung disease and is on oxygen 24/7. She was approved for the lung transplant list a few months ago, and was first on the list in Indiana. So she and her family have been waiting for a phone call to go to Indianapolis for her lung transplant. She had asked me a few weeks ago about helping to take care of their severely handicapped child when she goes for her surgery. She said, "We have home health care, and our regular person has said she would watch Cassie around the clock if needed. But when we get the call, we will have to leave in 30"; could you fill in, if necessary, until a care giver gets here. It would probably only be a couple of hours at the most?" I assured her I would.

Saturday, at 2:00 pm, they got a call. They had lungs available, and she needed to get to Indy immediately. Since it was the weekend, there were no regular care givers scheduled. Also, the regular care giver, who had said she would work around the clock, is on vacation this week. Jan called and said her kids were with Cassie, but that they were going to leave when Benji got off work at 6 pm to go to Indy to be with her. Could I possibly take care of Cassie Saturday from 6 pm through Monday morning, if I was needed that long. (She said they were trying to get a care giver for Sunday day shift, but didn't have anyone yet). Of course, I told her I would be happy to do that.

However, I was very disappointed that I would most likely miss out on going to the lake. I called Lynn and told him what I was doing, and that he should go to the lake without me. (We were planning to go early Sunday, about 7 am).

After I got to Jan's home on Sat. evening, I got a call from the Home health agency; they would have an aide there to take care of Cassie on Sunday from 9 am till 7 pm. So, I called Lynn and we decided we could still go to the lake; I would just have to be back by 7 pm to take care of Cassie during the night on Sunday.

(this isn't really lake Wawasee but once again I forgot my camara)

As it turned out, we had a wonderful day at the lake. Our friends have a pontoon boat, and the 6 of us--3 couples, spent a lot of time on the water, and did some swimming. Even though it was 92 degrees, the water was cold at first! But it was really refreshing and relaxing. What a nice time with friends, as well as 'getting away' for a little while.

I got back home at 7:30 this morning after staying with Cassie all night. We also got great news from Indy! Jan's surgery went well and by early afternoon on Sunday she was off the ventilator, breathing on her own, awake and talking to them.

This will still be a long recovery period for Jan. But what a great gift, to be given a second chance at having healthy lungs and a good quality of life again!

They are still working out a care giver schedule, hoping to get 24-hour coverage; but I may be back there tonight as well. I found these quotes and Bible verses this morning and thought they were applicable to this whole situation.

"One of the wonders of life is just that--the wonder of life!

"Sympathy says 'I'm sorry'; compassion says, 'Ill help'.

"Learn the joy of giving, for when you only receive you miss much of life".

Our Lord is the giver of life.

John 10:10,11 I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His own life for the sheep.

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy, at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.