Looking Back on Two Weeks
Two weeks ago today, I experienced a life-changing event. I realize that a broken leg is minimal compared to the events many people face daily. I realize that I am blessed in my lack of hardships and am in no way wanting to overstate what has happened to me. However, I do want to use my experience to learn more about who I am and what I should be. From someone who has been healthy all of their life, this has been (and will be) a short-term set back, and short-term only. Hopefully, the lessons learned will be long-term and truly life-changing.
I have been amazed at the number effected by my experience. The kids lives have changed. They are on-call 24/7 to answer their phones, drop what they are doing, and come to my assisted living space (they are the assisted part) and help me with whatever menial task I might need to have done (i.e. turn the heat up, bring me a drink, let Bella out, etc.) They have done well, but the more they do when asked by me, the less they notice on their own and the less they do when asked by others (i.e. Gena). So, I need to be more attentive and have ask Gena what she wants me to tell them to do. All in all, they have been great.
Everyone at work has changed. The doctors have pitched in to cover patients, worked their days off, taken hospital call. The staff has been all over the place trying to be sure my patients needs are met. Once again, the biggest burden falls on Gena, taking care of my messages, paperwork, and overall holding things together.
The Praise Team at church has changed. They will be OK without a guitar player for a while, but what we had is not what we've got. Things are just different. Take one piece out of any puzzle and the picture is different.
Most importantly, our home has changed. We were once very organized, structured, and efficient. Most of what we do still is. Gena has kept things together. She is taking the blunt of every change we have had to make. I am not able to help her much at all. She has done so without complaint or reluctance. I cannot express enough thanks to her for what she has done and is doing. She has been my private-duty nurse, my wife, and most importantly, my friend. With her love and care, God's grace and patience, and the faith that God has a plan for us in all of this, we will move through the next several months and be a stronger family than before. I see how people who have real tragedies are blessed and respond to the stress of the life-changing event. It's our turn.
I have been amazed at the number effected by my experience. The kids lives have changed. They are on-call 24/7 to answer their phones, drop what they are doing, and come to my assisted living space (they are the assisted part) and help me with whatever menial task I might need to have done (i.e. turn the heat up, bring me a drink, let Bella out, etc.) They have done well, but the more they do when asked by me, the less they notice on their own and the less they do when asked by others (i.e. Gena). So, I need to be more attentive and have ask Gena what she wants me to tell them to do. All in all, they have been great.
Everyone at work has changed. The doctors have pitched in to cover patients, worked their days off, taken hospital call. The staff has been all over the place trying to be sure my patients needs are met. Once again, the biggest burden falls on Gena, taking care of my messages, paperwork, and overall holding things together.
The Praise Team at church has changed. They will be OK without a guitar player for a while, but what we had is not what we've got. Things are just different. Take one piece out of any puzzle and the picture is different.
Most importantly, our home has changed. We were once very organized, structured, and efficient. Most of what we do still is. Gena has kept things together. She is taking the blunt of every change we have had to make. I am not able to help her much at all. She has done so without complaint or reluctance. I cannot express enough thanks to her for what she has done and is doing. She has been my private-duty nurse, my wife, and most importantly, my friend. With her love and care, God's grace and patience, and the faith that God has a plan for us in all of this, we will move through the next several months and be a stronger family than before. I see how people who have real tragedies are blessed and respond to the stress of the life-changing event. It's our turn.
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