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Thursday, February 12, 2015

Sometimes Life is Left in the Hands of Amateurs

Last Thursday I received a message on Facebook from the husband of a dear friend.  He told me Ann (his wife, my friend) had finally given him permission to tell people she was going in for an operation to remove a tumor on her intestines.  They had found it by chance, of all things, through a cough.  After a series of specialists, and almost 5 months, they finally found the proper diagnosis.
I called last Friday night, I had to know what to do...but what could I do but listen and pray.  The operation was to be intense, and she would be hospitalized for a week.  We spoke about how blessed she was to have such incredible health care and how carefully she had been led to the correct diagnosis.  Both of her sons are doctors and they concurred she was incredibly blessed.  Most of these cases are not found until it is very difficult to treat, instead of simply difficult to treat.  

We hung up on the note of a very cherished friendship of thirty years....through children, marriages, big problems and small ones.  Even though she lives far away, distance has never been an issue.  She is my friend, my sister in life and I so wish I could be there with her.  I adore her.

Today I received another message from her husband.  He told me the operation was very long, and more involved than they anticipated.  They wouldn't know the results of the tumor for another couple of days.  His anxiousness and worry were palatable and then he said something I wasn't expecting.  He had been putting off telling her that their son, Brian, had passed away during her operation.   I knew he was failing from brain cancer, but I didn't think it was eminent.  He closed by asking for my prayers....a dad who had lost his son and was so concerned for his wife only wanted my prayers.  I couldn't move....I was paralyzed for a moment.  How could this have happened?  There was not a better man than Brian......He was a young man with a sweet wife, twin daughters and a son.  He was a doctor, a hiker and a Texas Aggie Alum.

I am an amateur on life because I just don't get it.....there are so many awful people who we could gladly give over instead of someone as kind, sweet and good as Brian.  He was making a difference in the world, he was a good doctor, an incredible father, and an adoring husband.  

I am an amateur on life because I don't focus on what is really important.

I am an amateur on life because I have to be reminded every day as to the true purpose of my life, why can't it hold over just one day?

I am an amateur on life because I don't really understand that I can be right or I can be happy, but I won't be both, because if I "have" to be right at the expense of others, I will not ultimately be happy.  
Rancor is never peace.  

Brian is at peace, his family is comforted by the knowledge that families are eternal, and they will go forward.  No rancor, no anger...they will simply go forward.



Love you Brian...and just for you, Gig 'em!


22 comments:

  1. I can't fathom what your friend's family is going through. I will keep them in my prayers.

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    1. Thank you so much, the more folks we have praying for us the better!

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  2. There are no words Donna. Thank you for sharing and for your insight

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    1. Thank you Carol, I was shell shocked. But I know they will do what they have always done.....get up and face another day. and then one day the joy will return somehow

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  3. Oh Donna,
    I am so very sorry for you loss. These crushing blows of life rarely bring understanding. I can only offer prayers and thoughts of grace to you and those you love.

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    1. There is nothing but grace...thank you so much, I appreciate it

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    2. How terrible for this family...prayers for strength & healing.

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  4. Oh my. How horrible. I truly cannot even imagine such a situation. Sending out prayers for you and for your suffering friends. ugh. So very sad.

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    1. They would want you to know it will be all right...because of folks like all of you praying for them. Thank you so much

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  5. The picture seen as part of this blog entry is of a wall hanging found in Brian's living room. It was a Christmas gift from his wife's mother, a sweet lady who is also struggling with cancer. Yes, today more than ever, people need to know that families can be eternal and that all things are in the hands of a loving Heavenly Father.

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    1. I didn't know...yet I am so glad I included it. We love you and your family so much...it was my intention to let the world know how wonderful your son is. And that they are never very far from us. I am so glad people are reading about Brian...adding their prayers to everyone else's. We will not stop praying for Brian's little family and his wonderful mom and dad.

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  6. This is a time when faith really kicks in. Imagine what life would be like without it. Blessings on this beautiful family.

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    1. No idea what life would be like, if it is this hard with it, what would it be like without it?

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  7. I am sending love to them, and wishing them many happy memories. And a quick recovery for Ann. And as a mom, I am naturally also sad for the other brother, who will miss his bro.

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  8. Oh, how tragic. I'm so sorry for their loss and their pain.

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    1. Thankyou, this will take some time, but they are the best folks ever, they will survive and be happy again.

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  9. Oh I am so sorry for your friends. Prayers for them. (Stopping by from WOM Facebook).

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  10. I will pray for them right now. Their gentleness and grace are an example of what we are capable of when we let the Lord wrap His arms around us.

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    1. I appreciate that, I know they have felt the prayers...how could they not?

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  11. This is definitely the hard part of life. I feel so badly for this family. And of you, since your heart is right there with them. I will pray for them. I know without a doubt there is great power in prayer.

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    1. I know there is, prayer is the most powerful force on earth

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