There are many broken things and people this week. Some of them might be fixable. Others are not. Some are unknown. The time since I got home has been pretty rough…..
I came home to find the printer broken. Ordered a part. Don’t know if that’ll fix it (or if I can even get it installed correctly). If not, it’ll be a pricey service call. Went straight to the pricey service call when our washing machine broke yesterday. Won’t drain or spin. I didn’t even get to do my laundry. Hopefully it’ll be fixed tomorrow, because I really need to do laundry.
I need to do laundry a bit more urgently because I’m going to California next week. Not one, not two, but three friends of mine are all at various stages of cancer, in California (one there just for an appointment, two that live there), and all in need of a visit. It will almost certainly be the last visit with one of them.
I’m thinking I’m not the best at good byes or comforting people. Suggestions appreciated…
V-
your an adult so these are things that you already know or that come easy to you but pests like me have trouble with… in a similar situation two years ago i lost a friend to leukemia and the only thing i wish i had gone into it with was the ability not to let it involve me.. or my sorrow..and let it instead be entirely about them…
Pests? Hah! But I do know what you’re saying. I’ve been thinking about that, too… I’m just not entirely sure *how* to do that…
Hi Denkyem… coincidentally, I lost my sister to leukemia too… about 2 years ago. I’m sorry for your loss. I just wanted to say that.
V, I wouldn’t know what to say either. But sometimes it’s just enough to be there and help take their mind off the situation. Do you remember being with my dad? We watched Simpsons and all laughed and laughed. The nurse asked, “Do they know you have terminal cancer?” And he replied, “Of course, but we’re not going to sit around crying about it.” Make it about his LIFE, not his DEATH, maybe. And finally, you know he and J are glowing examples of grateful hearts for the life they have had together. They are shining lights for Him, even through this dark time. Make it about *that*. He’s going *home* and for that we can be celebrating with him.
I know this all sounds super-simple and maybe even simple minded to some, but as committed Christians, I know you will understand my heart and these sentiments to a “T”.
Ok, time to close this comment before I cry right here during homeschooling!
XOXO
Yah, I do remember that. It was just lucky that the Simpsons were on… 😉 But I’ll see if I can think of something that he’d enjoy.. well.. all of them.. Thanks for the reminder about your dad… Hugs!
brokenness
the times in my life when i feel most broken, god reminds me of this little praise/worship song:
Holiness, holiness is what I long for
Holiness is what I need
Holiness, holiness is what You
want from me
So, take my heart and form it
Take my mind and transform it
Take my will and conform it
To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord
Faithfulness, faithfulness is what I long for
Faithfulness is what I need
Faithfulness, faithfulness is what
You want from me
So, take my heart and form it
Take my mind and transform it
Take my will and conform it
To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord
Brokenness, brokenness is what I long for
Brokenness is what I need
Brokenness, brokenness is what
You want from me
So, take my heart and form it
Take my mind and transform it
Take my will and conform it
To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord
Look at what he is looking to do with you and through you in your darkest hours…
Re: brokenness
I like that one actually.. 🙂 Thanks for reminding me of it. I’m lyrically challenged so the third verse didn’t come to mind but it certainly fits. I don’t really know what’s in store for me next week, but I’m going to do my best to love the people around me. And I’ll be surrounded by people going through far greater challenges than I have ever faced. As luck would have it, all three of the people I’ll visit next week who are struggling with serious health issues are solidly committed Christians, so there’s comfort there…