Monday, January 17, 2011

More Lessons in Serendipity





My sister called . . . and we just chatted. 


Sweet, serendipitous peals of laughter peppered our discourse as we flitted from subject to subject with abandon. 

A trip to Hawaii? 
Perhaps. 

A trip to The Biltmore in the Fall? 
Absolutely! 

Christmas together here at Wisteria Cottage? 
OH YES!  AMEN!!!


We talked of this and that and nothing in particular as our hearts savored the simple joy of just chatting.  Serendipity indeed.   

* * *

For over a month now my sister has been in the throes of a medical journey to discover the cause of an abrupt swelling on her leg.  Our natural flow of cell phone calls back and forth each week became littered with tears and fears and prayers as we tried to avoid talking about pending surgery and post-op recovery, of possible “C” word and chemo, of  . . .

of . . . of . . . of . . .



Many times the phone failed to ring, yet an email appeared – it was just too hard to say it.

“We’ll talk soon,” closed the short note.

And we did . . .

. . . but not about IT. 

What was the point? 

We waited.

We prayed.

I tried not to worry (and failed miserably, but kept trying – practice makes perfect for a looong month of practicing.  For me, at least.)


* * *


I jotted notes like:

Buy wicker bed tray and bud vase

Pack “X” and “Y” cookbooks

Order thus-and-so supplements to be delivered to her house



* * *



Tears flowed at each conversation's signing off, lacing the “I Love You” strings ever tighter despite the distance between Grass Valley, CA and Charlotte, NC. 

I tucked away some “airline money,” just in case, but felt a tug at my heartstrings over Christmas and sent it all away for poor families to buy farm animals.  Was I secretly hoping there would be no need?  My prayers and journals hold no clue to such hope, as I poured forth my fears at the feet of my Lord. 

“Whatever is true” I wrote firmly.  “Now stick to the truth – to what you KNOW and not what you imagine or fear.”

“Today I know of no cause to worry, so worry I shall not,” I forcibly told myself in print and whispers.

And then I would set off to wash and weed and pray and release again the burdens my mind sprouts with such ease. 

A writer’s imagination is not gift at times like these;
but a Savior’s soothing words provide perfect panacea.


Come to Me, 
all who are weary and heavy-laden, 
and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

And which of you by worrying 
can add a single hour to [her sister’s] life's span?  
If then you cannot do even a very little thing, 
why do you worry about other matters?
Luke 12:24,25



* * *   
  


Time dragged its heels.  A cold wave took our town by storm.  Darkness filled the days with a frozen hue.  I clawed for serendipity and came up empty, for it cannot be summoned but only discovered.


I walked.  I wrote.  I prayed.  I cried.  I walked some more. 


In the gardens I found budding daffodils. 

In the coop the chickens broke their laying stay and gifted us with four eggs.

A forgotten CD of Hawaiian music + nature sounds transported a weary one to entertain thoughts of gentle beaches and washing waves in the quiet of an evening.

An email from a dear friend encouraged me to remember that waves may come unaware and sweep us off our feet if we are not careful.  A wave of sorrow had swept me up and tumbled me over and over . . . but I came up standing (though sputtering) and breathed deeply the serendipitous sweetness of knowing I can face whatever today brings my way – even if it should entail more loss on this side of Heaven’s gate – for I am not alone.


And he said unto me, 
My grace is sufficient for thee: 
for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 

Most gladly therefore 
will I rather glory in my infirmities, 
that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9



I accepted the gifts of today and stopped fearing tomorrow.  I felt at peace.  I found that tiny wink of serendipity that had been eluding me,


and it was enough.


* * * 


And then the exuberant email came through:

NO SURGERY!  NO CANCER!   

No need for an unplanned trip out to oversee recovery and further treatment.

The culprit:  An inflamed lymph node cluster, most likely from an infected scratch. 

The solution:  Antibiotics and rest.  Nothing more.


* * *

I wept with relief.

She fumed that it had taken a month and several tiers of doctors before somebody thought to give her a simple antibiotic for the infection.

[My sis and I think on different waves.  Complementary, I’d say.]


* * *

 So now that I need not be packed and ready to jump upon a plane on a moment’s notice, we have cooked up a batch of “togetherness” plans for two more FUN visits this year, always holding out the hopes for three or four or . . . .

whatever serendipitous amount the future holds.


* * *

 
Is it only January 17th?  

Why does it feel like this year is much older?

* * *

Methinks it is shaping up to be a very interesting year.

Ahem . . . more serendipity, please, LORD.  

 Lots more! 

; )


 * * *

[And she leaves to rake leaves, 
hoping to find more pretty bulbs in bloom
this sunny, sunny day in January.]



3 comments:

FancyHorse said...

What a beautiful testimony of faith and leaning on the Lord at all times! I am so, so, so HAPPY that your sister is cancer-free!

Laura~peach~ said...

Thank God someone finally figured it out. Hugs to you and your sister... and I find that I am an unusual one in that when stressed in such a mannor I reach out and cling to my praying friends and get them to help me and hold me and to remind me of all the things that I already know but apparently forget in the chaos of worries.
many times my friends dont have a clue at how much they help me and keep me on the right track but God knows :)
more HUGS :)

Simply Debbie said...

Hello Dear One,
Beautiful post of faith...we may worry at times but our faith is so engrained as to who we are, it draws us back from the deep.
I am so happy for your sister and you.
Such a blessing for two sisters to be so close.
I was in such grief October through December that I quit blogging and felt surely I would lose my mind OVER THE EARTHLY DEATH OF AMY. I KNOW HER BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT LIVES ON IN HEAVEN BUT I JUST COULD NOT DEAL WITH THE REALITY OF NEVER HUGGING HER AGAIN, SEEING HER BEAUTIFUL SMILE AND JUST MOTHER/DAUGHTER THINGS.
I prayed for JESUS to please take my grief away....He just spoke in my spirit to KEEP SPRING ALIVE IN MY HEART. Winter is and can be to some, so much more than cold air, snow, and ice. I still have some bad moments but I think of spring and its' awakening and I look for the beautiful things.
I AM SOOOO VERY GLAD YOU STOPPED BY TO SEE ME. I am at peace that in this life time I will never see Amy again but I can feel her like springtime.
I, like Amy, will only walk through this earth once...There are things God has for me to do and things I would like to do...I will no longer walk in guilt because Amy was younger than me when she died and I was much older and the LORD should have taken me.
15 months is a short grief time when you have loved your child for 33 years old.
How are you doing my friend with the waves that lap over the loss of your son.
I would love to stay in touch.
Have A Sugar Sweet Day.
Did you notice that Amy's name was on the wing of the dress manequin?
I love seeing it there
xx
Simply Debbie