No More!

As many of you are aware, 2008 was a very rough year for my family. Some of my greatest emotional challenges so far in life took place last year and I have learned many lessons about life through all of that. There were very few months last year that were calm and things didn't go wrong or we didn't get bad news. Here is some of what I am talking about....My dad had a stroke last year in early 2008. Then, late last year he got into a bad car accident (while leaving the emergency room because we thought my mom was having a stroke) where he rolled the car seven times. He spent a couple days in the hospital, and sustained some minor bleeding on the brain, but is okay now. Two of my Aunts (who are twins) were diagnosed with cancer and my mom was re-diagnosed with cancer. After my mom was re-diagnosed she had to have a femoral rodding surgery in which she lost a tremendous amount of blood, then she had a right hip replacement, and a month later had a heart attack. Much of our summer was spent at the hospital. I think that between her, my dad, and my Aunts last year they should have just reserved a suite somewhere in the hospital for our family. It's really sad when hospital employees begin to call you by first name. 2008 did bring us baby Zayne into the world and for that I am very thankful.

We were very hopeful that better things would be in store for 2009, but so far, this year has come at us with a lot of force. On February 2nd, my Grandpa unexpectedly passed away. His friend was driving him to kidney dialysis when he passed out and quit breathing. He was resuscitated and put on a vent and air lifted to Memorial Hospital, but after being evaluated by a team of neurologists it was determined that he had lost most of his brain function. So, my mom, as his power of attorney, made the decision to remove the vent and he passed shortly thereafter. The decision was not easy for her and she spent a lot of time in the bathroom getting sick before deciding. I must say that unexpected deaths are harder on those left behind, but so much easier on the departed. I know he wouldn't have wanted to go any other way and I find comfort in that. It doesn't end there though. Exactly two weeks later on February 16th, one of my twin Aunts who had cancer passed away. She was only 51. She has an 18 year old son and Jeremy and Jason drove all night long Sunday into Monday to get him from college in Indiana so he could say his goodbyes and he made it just in time. I know that God does not give you more than you can handle, and I have found an inner strength I never knew existed, but I am hoping this bad series of events ends here! NO MORE! Thank you to everyone who already knows this and has thought of and prayed for us.