Today, I’m in the ICU waiting room at one of our local hospitals. I’ve been here for about five hours so far. My dad had triple-bypass surgery. I’m waiting to see him.
This all came about rather suddenly. I took Dad to the ER Sunday night with left arm pain and chest discomfort. Nothing too bad. It came and went. Dad’s in good shape. He swims a half mile several times a week, takes care of his home, mows the lawn, does the yard work. He never smoked. How could he have three blockages?
My only sibling lives in Indiana. She wanted to be here today but decided she could help even more by coming to stay with him around the clock once he comes home. My mom, after a two-year battle with cancer, passed away two months ago.
So today, I rode the elevator to the second floor alone.
I felt okay about it. I’m not one to ask people to rearrange
their schedules. Besides, I had an article to finish writing and a good book to
read. I knew many faithful friends were praying. After giving my dad a kiss and a squeeze
(and fighting back a few tears), I found my assigned spot, prayed for the docs
and for my dad, and got to work.
After an hour or two, I looked up to find a smiling face in
the doorway. A dear friend came—on her only day off—to sit with me. It was
wonderful to see her. Time flew as we caught up over hot drinks and granola
bars. We laughed together, talked about our kids, and wondered about what the future
held for both of us. Before she left, we prayed together. A sweet time in the
midst of crisis.
I’m still waiting, yet it’s been a grace-filled day.
I teared up reading this. God is so good to us. So thankful He sent your friend. I'm praying for your Dad!
ReplyDeleteTouching and gripping, Sarah. What a great gift God gave at just the right time. Upholding you, Dad, and your family in prayer.
ReplyDeleteThank you Julie and Sherry! Yesterday, while Dad dozed, I had some time to sit by his bedside. In between his waking up and the nurses coming and going, I "happened" to read a fictionalized account of the book of Ruth (Francine Rivers). A story about a daughter taking care of a parent . . . Today, I read the story from the Bible and jotted down all I learned from Ruth as a caregiver. Another grace-filled moment.
ReplyDeleteYou are something else, Sarah Phillips. Never a moment wasted in serving the Lord . . . articles to write, notes to take, and prayers to offer. You are an example to us all. Praying for your dad.
ReplyDelete