It's been almost a week since undergoing double hand surgery and honestly I'm thankful several days of healing are behind me now. Long way to go, but I"m doing great! Normally I'd be happy to offer up a heaping-helping of whine or something (or maybe even an out and out COMPLAINT!) regarding the entire ordeal, but something happened the day before Christmas that set my heart to wondering and ever since I just don't have it in me to speak of anything other than gratefulness...
During the first week in December a dear old friend of mine from high school became ill. After a few days of true sickness she was admitted into the hospital and almost overnight her condition became critical. She was placed into a medically induced coma but her health continued to decline. On Christmas Eve morning she went to heaven at the young age of 53.
As I read the Facebook postings of Linda's family (also HS friends) I tried to take in all they were sharing. One of five girls, Linda was the second born and only 11 months separated her from her older sister.
As the raw emotions spilled out I realized almost immediately that even though there was great love, respect and affection between the sisters they didn't always see eye to eye. Frenzied fingers typed out things like
WAKE-UP, LINDA!
and
BE STRONG, LINDA!
and
WE ARE HERE, LINDA AND WE LOVE YOU!
One message in particular stole away my breath...it simply spoke of the regret of not being able to take back all the stupid and hurtful things said and done over the years...
I'm sure both big and small things over decades of living pressed in on them all and no doubt those events ushered in trials and disagreements. And like any family, especially one with all girls, there was some brokenness left unattended.
I continued to read the Facebook posts even though sometimes I felt like I was a voyeur and would surely be sick. The emotions were raw as all the sisters (and their momma) struggled to make sense of Linda's illness and how, in just a matter of days, they were faced with making more than a handful of decisions they never dreamed they'd have to make.
Hundreds of classmates followed Linda's plight as she had been President of our high school class of 1976. She was brilliant. Talented and deeply loved by many.
I couldn't help but think of my own family and siblings as I thought about Linda's passing. I feel grateful and thankful for the good health of those I love.
Still...I know in my heart there are so many unspoken words that are just waiting to be said.
There are letters to write...
Apologies to offer...
Fences to mend...
Grace to extend...
Forgiveness to offer...
Forgiveness to seek...
For almost a month Linda's sisters never left her side. One was always close by in case God's healing and miraculous touch came upon her.
Today we know it was a heavenly-kind-of-healing that called out Linda's name.
Since her death her sisters have handled all of her personal and financial issues and together they are now working on closing her home (which is on the opposite side of the USA). Linda was a single woman with only one grown child and the demands of work and family have only allowed so much time off...
It's been her sisters who stayed...and stayed...and stayed...
Honestly...I have no idea why I'm even writing all this~
(would love to blame the pain meds~ But....)
I suppose God must be dealing with me and my own stubborn and imperfect nature of late~
I just hope and pray each of us will
OFFER FULL
and
COMPLETE FORGIVENESS
for
EVERYTHING
while we still can...
~~*~~
As soon as my hands are strong again I will begin. There are certainly a few crooked paths in my life longing to be made straight once more...
(PS: Thank you, my beloved Mr. AGPMan for your typing skills and patience. I owe you! ox)
Love to you...
