Life, Interrupted

I just got a phone call from a friend who wanted to share some sad news with us. Her father-in-law who was 96 just passed away this morning. It is a blessing in a lot of ways but she said his last year of life was not good, especially when you compared it to the rest of his life. A blessing in disguise. What is that? This past year they have spent a lot of time with him, helping him, encouraging him, caring for him. Even though it was hard for them, and harder for him....it somehow brought them all closer together - the whole family.  I remember the same thing when my mom passed away. 59 days of her being in the hospital and going through one operation, getting better and then another setback. Family was there. Friends were there. People shared their feelings, their time, their emotions with each other. A blessing in disguise.

This same lady who has gone through so much with her own physical health and has remained such a strong believer shared that she had also received some negative news again about her own health. A body scan revealed a 'focal point' on her pancreas. What does that all mean to her now? She is unsure. She does not want to think of what it could be until she actually hears it from her doctor. She is taking one day at a time. Something she has learned to do because of her various health issues. This is just one more thing to deal with now. So, she says her poor health has been 'a blessing in disguise' for her also. She has taken each day and captured it as if there is no tomorrow. She is exciting to be around. She is uplifting and encouraging. She shares with others when the opportunity arises but otherwise she simply LIVES life! I think I want to make her my role model from now on.

Today is overcast, windy and cooler. Perhaps that is simply a reflection of the things that are happening around me as well. However, like the words in the song..."the sun will come out tomorrow" and a new day will dawn. I hope I can 'seize the day' as well as she does.

Psalm 118:23  This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.