Sunday, February 1, 2009

The tiny every day miracles

Life has been happening all around us. It is strange, yet comforting to go about every day business as if nothing is happening.

Brian is doing remarkably well. He is maneuvering the stairs and house. He is quiet, but conversational if he feels he can or wants to contribute. He is involved. He is attending the boys soccer games. He is playing cards. He is in good spirits. He feels relatively well. He has vomited a couple of times in the last week, but nothing terrible, and no all-day episodes like in the past.



Hospice will be calling on us once per week for now for Brian's care. I have a lot of resources for the kids and understanding this process. However, though, the overall mood of the house right now is uplifting and joyful. The visitors that Brian has had are not here saying goodbye, but rather living life adjacent to Brian for a little while longer. Saying goodbye can be awkward. It is difficult to say how long Brian will continue to do this well, so we don't guess. I didn't expect him to be doing as well as he is right now. He is doing better than he was even 3 weeks ago. That in and of itself is a small miracle.



This past weekend our visitors included my family - my sister and brother and their families and my parents. It was very fun and Brian did great. The layout of the house worked well to accommodate all 15 of us. We missed my nephew, Andrew, who is in college, though. My brother and Heather were supposed to come without the kids since the kids have so many sports obligations, but all of them ended up coming on Thursday. You see, they live in Paducah, KY which has hard hit by the latest ice storm. The kids' school and all events were cancelled since they are STILL without power. Our house was like an oasis for them with phone service, Internet access, TV, a warm fire and power. As terrible as the ice storm is for their area, I feel blessed that God granted us all time together without the nagging of other missed events. Small miracles.



Brian's little brother, Michael and Jen had their first baby - McKenna Riley on Wednesday, January 28. McKenna Riley is the newest cousin to 5 male grandsons and the newest niece to 2 uncles. In case you didn't read into that, she is the first female born into Jan and Ed's (Brian's parents) lineage. I am so happy to have the celebration of McKenna's birth to commemorate this time rather than Brian's failing health. Twelve years ago, my brother, Kevin and Lisa had their baby girl, Lexie. They were induced just a day after Brian was diagnosed with his brain tumor. They made Brian and me the godparents in order to help us remember a joyful occasion during that time of May instead of the anniversary of Brian's diagnosis. That was very special to us and I always think of how life happens and joy is all around us even in the midst of our struggles. McKenna is another reminder of small everyday miracles.



Speaking of miracles, Brian made it out to the boy's soccer games last week. He attended both Grant and Gavin's games due to the kindness of a few that helped Brian get into the building and others that cleared the walk for him to get in the building without slipping. Grant played a great game as he usually does - hustling and trying his hardest. He was awarded the Gatorade for best defensive player by his coach that day. Daddy was there to see it. The next night, Gavin scored a goal. Any of you who have ever seen Gavin play in the last year know this is TRULY MIRACULOUS! And Daddy was there to see it. Small everyday miracles.



KEEP BELIEVING

28 comments:

  1. We are praying for continued, everyday miracles....Paul & Cheryl Dreyer

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  2. So thankful for all these miracles that God has granted in your life lately. I hope it continues to be joyful and filled with many more. What a sweet new baby - what a blessing.

    I hope you guys have a really good week, Angie.

    Love to all of you - Kellan

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  3. What a perfect post Angie! Yes, yes. I love that God has been placing wonderful things in your life right now. And how exciting about the boys and their soccer games. So glad!!

    I hope you enjoyed your family around. There is sometimes nothing better than a hug from mom to help you carry on.

    Still thinking and praying.......always.

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  4. It is wonderful that you, Brian and the boys are surrounded by so much love right now! I love that he was able to see the soccer games, visit friends and welcome a new member into the family.

    May you have many more miracles to come . . .

    Love and prayers--L

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  5. I will keep praying for small miracles in your life!!

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  6. way to go gavin !!! sorry i missed it. Glad you all had a tolerable week. ben

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  7. Wow...what a wonderful post! It is so good to hear how well everyone is doing! I am sure the boys were THRILLED to have their daddy there! That is awesome! God is awesome! I miss you...so whenever you want my company, call me!!

    Love you, Shawn

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  8. Awesome!
    I love everyday miracles.

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  9. So glad you are getting the grace and blessings of small miracles to fill the days.

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  10. Praise God for all the miracles, that are taking place in the family. Bringing, Joy, Confidence, Encouragement.
    Grant congratulations on your gatorade award,
    and Gavin, I wish I could have seen you make that goal, that's just awesome.
    God bless Love Marjo
    PS> KEEP ON BELIEVING

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  11. I'm so happy for this time you all are able to spend together.

    McKenna is adorable!

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  12. i am inspired by you, in that you can still continue to "see" miracles all around you. i hope miracles continue to bless you and your family. angie, you are an amazing woman!

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  13. McKenna is SO CUTE!!!! How much fun to buy girl stuff! This was so great to read...what amazing news of how wonderful Brian is doing...and that he is "plugged in" to the boys lives right now. I too miss you!!! Let's plan a coffee date soon with all the girls. YEAH GOD!!!!!!

    Love,
    Kris

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  14. Small everyday miracles indeed. It sounds as though prayers are being answered.

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  15. This is good news... I am looking forward to seeing you guys tomorrow.
    HUDSON

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  16. How wonderful - all of this. Small miracles can touch our hearts in the biggest way.
    Still praying and believing...

    Love, Kelly

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  17. LOVE TO HEAR THE GOOD NEWS. SEE MIRACLES CAN STILL HAPPEN. WE ARE STILL PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE. LOVE YOU GUYS

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  18. Go Gavin! How great.

    And by the way, McKenna was born on the same day as my mom! Great people were born on Jan. 28!

    Kara

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  19. Am so glad to hear about the good times!!!! Hoping for many more!!!

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  20. I'm thankful for all your miracles too. God bless.

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  21. What an amazing post...I am so thankful for your little miracles. I pray that you will continue to find the miracles among the pain. You are touching so many lives - God bless all of you!
    Ashley

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  22. Sweet Angie, I read this today in the book of Revelation and thought of Brian. This is our hope that we cling to. One day--no more tears, crying, or death. One day, we will be the over comers and death will have lost its sting forever. I am praying for all that concerns and burdens you today. I don't know all the cares of your heart, but our Jesus does. I am praying that His presence will surround you and guard your heart and mind during these difficult and beautiful days.

    Revelation 21:1-7 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

    1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea existed no longer.

    2 I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.

    3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne:

    Look! God's dwelling is with men,

    and He will live with them.

    They will be His people,

    and God Himself will be with them and be their God.

    4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

    Death will exist no longer;

    grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer,

    because the previous things have passed away.

    5 Then the One seated on the throne said, "Look! I am making everything new." He also said, "Write, because these words are faithful and true."

    6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give to the thirsty from the spring of living water as a gift.

    7 The victor will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.

    Brian is the victor through Jesus Christ who calls him His son!

    Love to you, Shawn from Tennessee

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  23. My husband has Multiple Myeloma. We have been fighting this cancer for two long hard years now. We have been getting through it small miracle by small miracle and with the odd large one thrown in for good measure. May God continue to bless you. Hugs and prayers coming your way.

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  24. Glad he's doing well right now.

    What a beautiful baby there... And glad you have family there, too.

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  25. I cannot imagine having 15 people all at once! WOW! LOL! How neat that you are able to provide safe shelter for the KY clan. The baby is absolutely beautiful! How clever of God to keep putting roses on your thorn bushes. ;o)

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