Time Release Blessing

Laura continues to heal from her surgery. Every day I can see the little signs: her voice is coming back and with it, so is her level of conversation; she gets up more frequently - at times our biggest job is encouraging her to stay still; she is paying close attention to her schedule; she laughs more freely with less wincing. Her strength is returning and she is doing admirably well pulling herself in and out of bed. I am discovering she must be quite an athlete.

Healing, we have found, comes with time release blessing. The flow of care from our church, our other friends, and our family keeps gracing her with encouragement and love. Prayers, still are lifted up and she can feel them; so can I. Food that comes through a formal ministry at church which coordinates menu and delivery keeps us well-fed and more able to focus our attention on Laura. Cards are overflowing a basket I set out to contain them; many have notes that lift her spirits.

Our daughter, Carrie, has been with us since Tuesday, bringing her work and well-wishes of a boss and client who encouraged her to work from Michigan for as long as she needed. (Thursday she drives back to Philly, but the afterglow of her smile and resonance of her laughter will continue to bless us). James provides his computer counsel and a steady flow of witty remarks. He coordinates his personal schedule to be certain someone is always here with his mom. His girlfriend, Sarah, gives her hugs.

Laura's parents were able to drive between snow storms to be with her for a while each day since Monday. On Wednesday, I needed to work for a few hours back at the church, and they stayed with her while I was away. They had wanted to be with her during surgery, but it is evident that they were here at the right time: a time that their love and touch would work the strongest for her.

Laura told me to write this: her legs had begun to swell, and we were concerned about it; so I left a message at Dr. Malviya's office. He was so kind to return my call later in the evening, advising me to purchase post-surgical support hose. I found a pair at the fourth store I visited and returned home with the prize. Support stockings are...snug. Following the directions on the box to the letter, I turned them inside-out and placed them on her feet, rolling and pulling each to fit over her legs. It is amazing how much abuse she was able to tolerate. I learned three things: 1) I am not a very adept nurse; 2) you should not treat a patient in the same manner as you might try to move rocks with two-by-fours; and 3) Laura has an amazing patience and capacity for forgiveness. The stockings turned out to be a big help.

Blessings: everywhere we turn. It's kind of like a capsule that works for hours in continuous, intermittent release. God puts so many of you in the right place at the right time to provide the right dose of the blessing she needs next. Thank you.