Some Days Aren't What You Expect

In Spring, many things are pre- dictable, like the emer- gence of our lime green hosta plants. But some days, the agenda changes quickly.

Monday, Matt's sister Michelle had to have some extensive major surgery to repair damage that occurred during Lily's birth last Thursday. Norm and I spent some time in hospital waiting rooms with her parents, Karen and Gary, then we picked Matt up at the airport and delivered him to his sister's hospital room. Baby Lily will remain in the hospital nursery as long as Michelle is in the hospital--at least a week. Michelle is going to have a long recovery and will eventually need more surgery.

While we were having coffee and sandwiches in the hospital cafeteria on Monday with Karen and Gary, she got a call, not unexpected, that her brother, who had been on life support, had died. So now that family has two crises to get through. Our Doug is arriving this afternoon and we will meet him at the airport, too, and connect him with the rest of the family. There will be a visitation on Thursday and a funeral on Friday. We aren't sure yet how we are going to be of most help to these friends who are almost family, but we are in standby mode.

In between the comings and goings, we have gone to exercise or therapy, tried to keep up with some church business and prayed a lot. Prayers for this young family facing big challenges, and for our friends in their grief, are appreciated. Meanwhile, please excuse my blogging silence for a day or two.