When I started this blog two years ago it was my aspiration to post once a week. Indeed that was my hope. I never intended to go months on end without posting a word. But sometimes our plans don’t go as we intended. Life just plain “gets in the way”.

The last time I posted I was recovering from a stroke. As I continued to heal my doctor decided I needed surgery to repair ruptured tendons in my left foot. That was done three days before Christmas 2016. Little did I know I was about to embark on an adventure that still continues to this day.

In February I contracted MRSA in the surgical wound on my foot. For those of you who don’t know, MRSA stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. It is a “super bug” that attacks one’s body and very quickly shuts down your organs. I spent ten days in the hospital and went through three surgeries as the doctors tried to contain the staph and bring me back to some state of wellness. Six weeks later I would again be in the hospital for six more days for another two surgeries as the doctors dealt with more infection in the wound.

It was a scary time. The bacteria moved so fast throughout my body that at one point I began to go into sepsis. Without the wonderful doctors and nurses who literally spent hours at my bedside I wouldn’t be here today. After months of rest and physical therapy I sit here full of gratitude that I am alive, moving toward healing in my foot and the rest of me. I am so blessed to have a loving husband who tenderly took care of me through those many many months.

One thing I gained those months is the knowledge of what it means to be handicapped or shut away from the rest of the world. For weeks I had to use a knee scooter due to not be weight-bearing on my foot. I quickly experienced how as a society we do not take care of those who are in wheel chairs or other means of getting around. I couldn’t get restroom doors open. Sidewalks weren’t shoveled when it snowed or the inclines were icy. I was terrified to go from a building door to the car without my husband for fear of falling. We do not think twice about how powerless these folks feel when it comes to the everyday things we do.

I also came to know the deep loneliness of being all alone at home. I was not allowed to drive and I was in lots of pain. Time would move very slowly. But for me it was only temporary. I knew at some point I would be free from this situation. I think of many people, especially our elders due to aging and illness who are shut away for weeks on end who are desperately lonely with no hope of friends or family to visit them.

Most of this last year has been a time for me to rest in the loving presence of my God. I was surrounded by prayers of concerned family and friends. I knew with time I would be brought to healing. It is only with trust in our Creator’s saving power do we survive such illness and loneliness. We come through more compassionate and open to other’s pain. I know my God has done that for me.

I look forward to posting more often now and continuing our conversation about God’s place in our lives.

Until next time……..