Saturday, September 24, 2011

barbjan10 blogs: AN UNEXPECTED ABSENCE - THE GALL OF IT ALL!

barbjan10 blogs: AN UNEXPECTED ABSENCE - THE GALL OF IT ALL!: Hello Dear Ones, Just when we feel life is going better than ever - the unexpected hits us. Well, I wasn't expecting to be back in the ho...

AN UNEXPECTED ABSENCE - THE GALL OF IT ALL!

Hello Dear Ones,

Just when we feel life is going better than ever - the unexpected hits us.  Well, I wasn't expecting to be back in the hospital so soon after my hip replacement and intense therapy, but......early last Saturday morning at around 4:00 A.M.,  my dear husband drove me to the emergency room at Medical Center of Arlington in dire pain.  A quick assessment and procedure was able to remove three gallstones; but some other things didn't look so good.  An infection in the pancreas, problems with the liver told me I was a very sick girl. 

Long story short - I was not allowed to eat or drink for 5 days awaiting improvement in my situation and surgery.  Then, as circumstances happened, I was scheduled for gall bladder removal surgery on Tuesday at 12:30 P.M.......but, as the hour dragged near - I was told that the dr was still working on a complicated surgery that had lasted five hours and was still backed up on pending surgeries.  My surgery was tentatively scheduled for 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, and then again at 2:15 P.M.

FINALLY - I was whisked off for my surgery and the offending body part was removed laparoscoptically (however spelled...LOL).  From then on God was continuing his good works and  I started improving immediately.  My physical and occupation therapy were continued throughout my hospitalization.  I had gained so much strength in my body through God's blessings and therapy.  Can't lose that gain now.

So - there is a brief synopsis of why I've been absent from the pc and home.  I was allowed to return home Thursday evening, which I thank God for.  He knows there is no resting place like your own bed!  Mine feels wonderful and I've more than made up the lost sleep in the hospital.

I've missed everyone.  Again, I must brag on what a wonderful caregiver my husband is to me.  He makes it far easier for me to go through these trials.  And, I continuously marvel at God's grace and mercy all around me when I'm ill.

So - it's back to life in a more normal state of being.

Grace & Peace,
Barb

Sunday, September 11, 2011

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL

You say you will never forget where you
 were when you heard the news On
September 11, 2001.
Neither will I. 

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room
with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I
held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the
peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it,
but it is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed
breakfast to their children. I held her up as she
tried to understand his words and as she realized
he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a
woman cried out to Me for help.
'I have been knocking on the door of your heart
for 50 years!' I said.
'Of course I will show you the way home -
 only believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest
ministering to the injured and devastated souls.
I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven.
He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat,
with every prayer. I was with the crew as they
were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the
believers there, comforting and assuring them
 that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan ,
 Afghanistan .
I was standing next to you
when you heard the terrible news.
Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face.
I knew every name - though not all know Me.
Some met Me
for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath.
Some couldn't hear Me calling to them
through the smoke and flames;
'Come to Me... this way...
take my hand.'
Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me.
But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day.
You may not know why, but I do..
However, if you were there
 in that explosive moment in time,
would you have reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001,

was not the end of the journey for you .
But someday your journey will end.
And I will be there for you as well.
Seek Me now while I may be found.
Then, at any moment, you know you are
'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.


GOD