I awake in a bit of a fog, only slightly aware of the telephone ringing. We got in late last night. Long past our bedtime. I can hear my father in the kitchen, his muffled conversation floating upstairs to my room. It's just before 8. We've slept in. I'll have to rush to get ready for school this morning. My father slowly climbs the stairs and I turn to see him enter my bedroom. He is tired and carries a strange expression on his face. He reaches my bedside and takes a seat. He isn't looking at me, but out my bedroom window to the hillside and winding road. When he faces me again tears have formed in his eyes. He covers my hand with his and tells me my mother is gone. His words get lost in a sudden release of grief. I turn my head into my pillow, tears flowing. I'm not completely certain of what he's said, I'm hoping I've misunderstood, but know...
Yesterday I learned something I hadn't pieced together before about how God works. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I was alone with the children and had to figure out how to get Elias to outpatients. He had a seizure. I called Kelly for clarity, to calm me down and talk to me. Once I had figured out how I was going to go with all of the kids, I headed for the hospital. I was afraid, tired, sick, and alone. I sat closer to the driver's side window so Abby couldn't see me crying in the rear view mirror. I called out to Jesus, asking Him for peace and assurance. A song* I particularly love came on just then and I immediately was filled with calm. Be assured, I still was uncertain, a little afraid, and I was still crying, but I also had this profound sense of peace in the midst of it. Such a strange mix of emotions. It occurred to me then this is what it means to be held. God was holding me, so even though I was still feeling those other emotions, I could sen...
Abby is standing in the open door. Stopping to turn around and say good-bye to me for the day. Her hair is combed and pinned up, scarf tied neatly around her neck, book bag slung over her shoulder. I know she is nearing 11, but today she looks older. Wiser. More put together than I ever remember being. I'm very aware that she is now the same age I was when my mother got sick. My Dad, Jamie, Matt and I spent almost every weekend in Halifax. Staying with my Aunt Glady, sleeping on pull-out sofas, reading Bobbsey Twins books, taking trips to the Candy Bowl , eating pizza, and the long car rides back and forth to the city. I also remember the long walk through the lobby of the VG, the ride up in the elevator and the quick run/walk to her room. There was always a fuss made over Matt, he was such a sweet little boy at six. I have a vivid memory of lying in bed with ...
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