One Phone Call Can Change It All

Strange how with one phone call the day can change in a split second.

Yesterday brought just such a call.
As we were preparing to have our family Father's Day celebration one day early I received a phone call from my brother-in-law. It is rare for him to call me so I was a bit suspicious as soon as I answered the phone. But when he immediately told me that he was going to have great difficulty talking to me my heart became heavy. I had no idea what he would tell me, but I knew it wasn't something I wanted to hear.

Nothing could prepare me for what he had to say.

He told me that my sister had had a stroke. He told me that she is in the hospital unable to speak or move most of the right side of her body. I could not comprehend how my sister who is very religious about her exercise habits and has always eaten a very healthy diet could possibly be in this condition. We had just talked to each other on the phone a few days earlier and she sounded happy.

Today is her youngest son's birthday. My heart is breaking for her and her family. I can only imagine how frightening it must be to be unable to speak. I find comfort in knowing that she is in a good hospital and has many friends and her family to be with her now. They believe now that she will be in the hospital for several weeks and is expected to recover what she has lost. I am ready to go be with her as soon as the time is right. I have been advised that the better time to come would be when she is receiving therapy.

We are supposed to be leaving for a short vacation to celebrate our anniversary. There are a lot of things up in the air now. My Mom has begun to receive Hospice care. I am told that with Alzheimer's patients that could mean the end is near, but not necessarily. Of course I know that there is really only one person who knows that for sure. I only tell you these things because I feel it necessary to take a break from doing any new posts. I hope to still be doing some visiting. I guess I also share these things because I would like to ask a favor. If you wouldn't mind including my sister and my Mom in your prayers it would warm my heart more than you will ever know. If I can ever return the favor I will be more than happy to do so. Though I may be away from posting for a while, all of you will remain in my thoughts daily.

~ Thank You ~

Love,