Monday, January 4, 2010

Nancy - her voice was like heavenly music

I want to thank ALL of you for your comforting and supportive and loving comments to me and for all the prayers for my sister, and for us all.

............................and so she laid quiet in ICU - doctors orders. After such a procedure one has to be still and lay flat. She had two blockages, which they cleared and they put in two stints to keep those effected areas open. I spoke to her - she shared of her fear going in for the procedure - of dieing, of her sons and all they have already lost, for our Mom and for me - my heart wrenched and ached listening - and at the same time I was soothed by the sound of her voice - my sister's voice. Despite the content - her voice was heavenly music - and then she paused, and began to tell of a woman they brought into her room - a patient, who was struggling with shortness of breath. Nancy could hear the family talking, a daughter, a husband, perhaps a brother as well and all of them trying to be supportive of their frightened loved one. Now I will "quote" my sister as best as I can recall. "I could hear the woman crying - she was saying why did I live and my son had to die , I shouldn't be here and he should - I don't understand. Her family tried to comfort her but she was so angry. Her family eventually left and I knew that I had to speak to her and share of my son's untimely death and I wondered, is this why this happened now, did God want me to be here for this hurting woman? And so my sister got out of her bed and went and sat by the woman's bed side - she told her of Clayton and her same questions about why did her son have to die - and why wasn't it her and on and on. She also told the woman that she has two other sons that need her and that she has a daughter that needs her too and they both cried together for their children still living that need them..................there is more to the miracle and love of this story but the details aren't important - but rather the message of hope, faith, and love. It brought to life, in real time, what I believe about our "truth". That all we hve to give, to offer one anotheris our truths - and here is my sister, in her own fear and pain - reaching out to this woman to share her truth - and there it is again, the miracle of Eucharist - to be broken and poured out so others can have hope.

As my sister was sharing this miracle I could feel my heart fill with love and hope, my faith and understanding surrendered and opened - what, for a brief time I lost returned ten fold - and her voice, oh her voice, it was heavenly music to my ears and to my heart.

My sister will be home soon - needing time to heal and adjust some of her life habits. She will be referred to a cardiologist for follow-ups and rebuild her heart strength under his/her supervision. We are ALL relieved and hopeful and exhausted - sometimes the after shock is quite an emotional fall.

"THANK YOU" ALL FOR YOUR LOVE, SUPPORT AND PRAYERS. And remember, that your truth shared could save someone's life.






30 comments:

Grizz………… said...

Gail…that is the very, very best of news…not only that your sister is okay, that she could have stints placed, but that amid her own crisis she found a purpose and blessing in a greater plan. Who could have guessed? And yet, who better to have counseled and shared, to be able to speak and understand this other woman's grief and fear and anger? Who can say how much it meant to this other woman—and just as likely, to your sister?

Your sister will come through this just fine. She was in God's hands and will all the time. She will be taken care of…

Gail said...

HI GRIZZ-

It is all so wondrous - the whys and reasons for such things - I SO appreciate your wise and heartfelt words to me through ALL of this. "Thank you"....

Love Gail
peace.....

Lola said...

thanks for sharing it Gail.
I'm glad your sister is fine now. I've recently had health issues too and I know what it means.

Gail said...

Hi Lola-

thanks for visiting and for your share understanding.

Love Gail
peace.....

Wanda..... said...

Reasons for everything...your sister's concern for someone else, reaching out to another in pain and the sharing of herself was touching. Glad the stressful situation has lightened a little for you Gail. May your sister mend well!
Wanda

Gail said...

Hi Wanda-

oh yes, reasons for everything. And "thank you" for your continued kind support and love through this delicate time. It, you, means so much to me.

Love Gail
peace.....

Anne said...

Gail,
What wonderful news! I am so happy for you and your sister.
Hugs to you and your sister.
Take care.

Cindy said...

Gail, I am so happy for you, what a beautiful story,. it always surprises me how God brings two people together. glad you sister and this other lady could share and help each other in their grief. I hope you rest easier my friend. Big hugs and continued prayers.

Andy said...

Great news Gail and you must all be so happy.

I believe that we are all here for a reason and that things happen to allow opportunities that we then take or leave. Seems like your sister took one of those opportunities and it helped her and you and the other woman, at least. How good is that? Nice story.

Bernie said...

Hi sweetie, oh I am so pleased to hear this wonderful news. You know Gail, I don't believe in coincidence, I do think your sister and that lady were placed together for a reason. I am sure her words brought that lady great comfort.
Rest now and know the angels are watching over Nancy.....:-) Hugs

Gail said...

HI BERNIE-ANDY-CINNER-CHOICES

"thank you" all for checking back in and for celebrating my sister's successful outcome and her shared experience with a fellow traveler. It is all quite miraculous and full of promise and hope. I love you all.

Gail
peace.....

Diana said...

Hi Gail,
I guess I missed something with your sister. I will have to go back and see if I missed a post. I am glad that things are looking good for her now, and what a wonderful thing that she shared her personal pain to help someone else. But I guess that is what it's all about isn't it. I pray that things go better for her now and you can relax a little.
Love Di

Wondering Soul said...

Gail...
It's the most amazing story I've heard for a long time.
I'm so glad she is okay.
I'm glad you are too.
I can't tell you how I just felt reading that story.

xx

Gail said...

Hi Wonderingsoul-

So nice to see you - and yes, it really is quite an amazing story, huh? "Thank you" for your true concern and support andlove.


HI DI- You need not apologize - I am thrilled and honored you can even give thought to anything other than your most recent loss. I so appreciate your prayers and heartfelt concern and love. You are amazing my friend.

Love you both
Gail
peace.....

Eileen said...

Oh, Gail, I haven't been blogging so I missed your last post, I had to go back and read, I'm so sorry your family has to go through all this, but I'm happy to read of your sister's so unselfish actions. Such a beautiful soul.

These events that shatter our security, that remind us big-time how fragile life is are truly life-altering.
My family is dealing with quite a bit of loss right now, some so sudden and shocking, and some long good-byes. None of it feels right.

I can so relate to your feelings about your sister because I feel the same way about my sisters. I'm glad you can bask in her light awhile longer, and I hope it's a long, long while.
I don't have to tell you to enjoy each other and cherish each other, I know you already do.

I like your sister's taste in music! And I loved that movie too, it's one of my favorites!

Love and Prayers,
Eileen

Wanda..... said...

Hi Gail, your mentioning of having trouble at my blog has me curious, if there were anything I could do on this end I would. No one else has commented of the same, so I'm wondering why you are. If you have any suggestions, please let me know!
Wanda

Mark said...

We are all messengers. You too Gail are a messenger as you share the story of your sister's conversation with this woman who had lost her son and who became lost herself in the wake of this tragedy. All things happen for a reason. There are no coincidences, no accidents. Thanks for sharing this inspirational story. We are all blessed today by what you have shared. I am glad to hear that your sister is on the road to recovery.

Gail said...

Hi Wanda-

ya, it is a mystery for sure. I have no idea why my screen stalls when I try to navigate and or comment over at your blog. Hopefully it will simply clear on it's own. Meanwhile, I will just be patient. :-)

Love to you always
Gail
peace.....

Gail said...

HI EIleen-

"Thank you" for your kind, wise and loving support. Yes, sister's are such a gift, I know. :-) I am sorry to hear of losses in your life too - I was wondering, were you a friend of 'Alisha", over at 'More In Us Than We know"????
It is so good to see you and feel your loving presence.
Love to you
Gail
peace....

Gail said...

HI MARK-
I am SO glad to see you and read your wonderful words of loving support. You are a wonderful presence here and at your blog and in the lives of so many who follow you. I am humbled that you experience me and my life as inspirational, humbled indeed.

Love to you
Gail
peace.....

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

...and that is surely what draws here - the truths you share and the way you demonstrate how to be open and risk being vulnerable in order to share these truths. Thank you.

Your sister sounds like a wonderful woman. Glad she will soon be home. Take care of yourself, while you are taking care of her.

Gail said...

HI BONNIE-

"thank you" so much for your kind words to me. I do believe that 'truth' regardless of it's design is freedom and hope for all.

Love to you
Gail
peace....

cordie b said...

Gail, I am over joyed that your sister is doing better. I am also over joyed that she and you were able to share your truths in order to give someone else hope. Now I see what you mean by your truths...continue sharing your truths, to encourage, give hope, love, and sustain faith in others, dear Gail. I'm keeping you and your family in my prayers. PLL, C.

Gail said...

HI CORDIE B
"thank you" so much for your loving support, prayers and kindness. And so it is true, that "truth'.gives hope, regardless of the details - death, abuse, miracles, every experience we share/give to another who receives it keeps hope alive. Amen

Love Gail
peace......

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Gail...such an inspiring story!!! I'm so happy that your sister is home, and better...and that she was able to use what seemed to be bad, and turn it to good!!!! What an amazing lady she MUST be!!!! Thanks for sharing this!!! You are such an encouraging person!!! Truly a gift! ~Janine XO

Gail said...

HI JANINE-

thank you so much for your kind and loving words about my sister. She is doing well, all things considered.

Love Gail
peace......

Jackie said...

Gail...what a touching post...in more than one way.
I'm glad that your sister is better. What a relief that is to hear.
I'm glad that she could be of comfort. God is so good.
Thank you for sharing this story, Gail.
Smiles to you from Jackie

Gail said...

Hi Jackie-

thanks so much for your kind loving support. My Sis is quite a gal!! :-)

Love to you
Gail
peace.....

Comrade Kevin said...

I am so grateful for this resolution. Big hugs to you.

Gail said...

Hi Kevin-

thank you for sharing in our relief and joy.

Love Gail
peace.....