Friday, January 2, 2009

Countdown, part 5: Two years ago

O LORD my God, I called to you for help
and you healed me.

O LORD, you brought me up from the grave;
you spared me from going down into the pit.

Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
praise his holy name.

-Psalm 30:2-4 (NIV)

I really try not to be "preachy" when I write my blog posts, but I'll ask you to indulge me a bit today. As I celebrate having a healthy husband, on the second anniversary of his brain surgery, I find myself wanting to publicly give God thanks for His loving hand of healing. My Father, my God--thank You.

One of my treasured memories of that day is the support from those who came to wait with us at the hospital while the operation was taking place.

Herb and Georgia sat and talked with us, and knowing them, I bet they were praying the whole time too.

Ann was supportive with her sweet presence, and I knew she understood, since her husband had cancer.

Virgil took orders from everyone present for a coffee run, and then sat and talked to me about non-surgery related things like the controversy over whether or not Wal-Mart should build close to his house. The time went quickly as we chatted. I didn't even know Virgil that well, but on that day he established himself in a very special, permanent place in my heart.

My parents were there, loving me, ready to do whatever I needed (including taking care of Chickie, who was almost one),

My sister would have been there, but she'd had a baby the day before--happy birthday, Molly!

I wish everyone would have the opportunity, sometime, to feel the type of love I experienced that day, and on the days before and after the surgery. We experienced true, pure community, and until then I'd had no idea how beautiful of a thing community can be.

I could write a long post with all my other memories of that day, but the medical stuff really isn't that important now. Surgery went well; recovery did too. Physical aftereffects have faded into nothingness.

But our lives still bear the imprint of that time. Two years later, the aftereffects of our most stressful family experience are love and gratitude, toward our family (in the broadest sense of the term) and toward our God. If you were one of those who was there for us through that experience, my heart bursts with thankfulness to you, even two years later.

20 comments:

Kara said...

What a beautiful post. Congratulations on two healthy years!

Anonymous said...

I celebrate with you, Beth. And it never hurts to be reminded of how God and friends give us special support when we need it!

Sandra

Tia said...

Praise to God! Congrats on 2 healthy years!

Michelle Brunner said...

What a lovely and moving post. It is amazing what can be answered with prayer. I am always moved by the way family and friends come through in times of crisis.

forever folding laundry said...

Happy two year anniversary! What a fantastic blessing for the new year!

TesoriTrovati said...

Many blessings to you and your family Beth! That is a scary time but one that you can reflect on with great joy for the gifts that you received. May God bless you and your family with good health and much happiness in 2009!
Erin, Tesori Trovati

Kristi said...

Definitely a time to reflect upon and give thanks to our Lord for the blessings of total healing and abundant love he brought to your family! God is good!

*Monica said...

Never apologize for thanking and praising God!!

Congrats on two years!!

Crazy Mo said...

Monica is right ... never apologize for your faith, whatever it may be. You are truly blessed, Beth. More important, you recognize that you are blessed and are thankful. God bless you and your family (although it appears He already has!).

Call Me Cate said...

Such a fabulous post. To be able to come through an experience as stressful as that and see it as a positive is just amazing. Congrats on the two year anniversary!

Annelie said...

Amazing post! Since my husband & I are going through a similar situation right now, I can only hope to get through it as positively & gracefully as you! Congrats on the 2 years mark!

To many more years of good health & personal growth!

And, I have an award for you.

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful, life affirming post. I really need to read more things like this.

I love how during times of weakness our friends just lift us up. Everyone does their part whether it is reminding us not to lose hope, feeding us or just making us laugh.

Everyone comes together to make us whole when we have fallen apart.

Peace and good health to you and your loved ones in 2009.

May we never lose hope.

Rene

Christy said...

What a sweet spirit you have. May your marriage be forever strengthened by this experience and the taste of life, for you, remain forever sweet.

Lyndsay said...

Beth,

I echo others when I say don't ever apologize for so beautiful professing your praise and faith. I admire you endless for that. Congrats on two years Engineer!

C. Beth said...

Kara--Thank you!

Sandra--Thank you for celebrating with us!

Tia--Yes, I'm so thankful God has given us this time and so thankful that we have no reason to expect we won't get many more decades together.

Michelle--Yes, there are many people who shine in times of crisis; it's beautiful.

FFL--Yes, a great way to start the new year!

Erin--Many blessings to you too in 2009 and beyond!

Kristi--He is SO good!!

Monica (and others)--Thank you. You're right; there is never a need to apologize for faith. I try to be sensitive to the varied beliefs that my readers have, but as long as faith is shared with love, respect, and sensitivity, there's no reason I should feel it's a subject I can't talk about!

Crazy Mo--Thank you so much! Yes, we are very, very blessed--I pray you will be too.

Call Me Cate--It felt positive at the time, but also so, so stressful. After all this time, it's easy for me to forget most of the stressful stuff; thankfully it's the positives that "stuck around."

A.--I'm so sorry you and your husband are going through something too. E-mail me (cbethblog AT gmail DOT! com) any time if you'd like to chat about it. I'll pray for you guys.

Rene--"Everyone comes together to make us whole when we have fallen apart." What a great way to put it!!

Christy--Thank you so much for your encouraging words!

C. Beth said...

Lyndsay--Thank you; that means a lot!!

Anonymous said...

Beth- Wow. What a beautiful post. Your words have a way of resonating with people and touching their hearts. I know you've touched mine with the stories of your family- and we've never met! Thank you for your openness and letting yourself be so vulnerable to all of us. Congratulations on 2 years. Sending you an e-hug...janice

C. Beth said...

Thank you, Janice! What an encouraging comment.

Heather said...

I'm sending up a song of praise. Little did I realize the story behind your chocolate brain. I didn't follow the links in that post...just kept looking around your blog and saw this one.

Brain surgery. Wow...that's big but God Was/Is/Will Always Be Bigger. Amen?!

Blessings to you and your family. Also a BIG woo-hoo for celebrating two years since ;o).

Omah's Helping Hands said...

Halleluljah! Praise the Lord for all that He has done. I pray that He continues to bless your husband and the rest of you.
Blessing to you all always.