Out of the darkness ...

On April 7, 2011, I started an unexpected of journey into pain. I began having migraines with seizures, and was in the hospital for several days. What followed has been 15 months of doctors, clinics, medicines, and almost daily migraines. Hopelessness and despair were my companions. I've never stopped believing that God is good, and powerful, and capable of anything, but I will confess that I fought my emotion much of the time even as He carried me through.

 My activities came to an abrupt halt, my relationships with friends and family became distant, and I could rarely make plans in advance. Sadly, I felt as if the headaches defined me much of the time. My husband was thrust into a role of caretaker, and our relationship changed as a result. He has been simply incredible throughout this entire time, truly loving me and caring for me in a way that reflected Jesus. I struggled with guilt over too many things to mention, but you can imagine.

 Two weeks ago, I received a botox shot in my left temple - a three minute procedure - and have not had a headache since. Hope springs forth! The journey is not over as it remains to be seen if this is a permanent fix, but for today I rejoice! I find myself full of energy and interest once again. I am, however, left with the perplexing issue of what feels like too much time on my hands - time that has been spent in bed or in my recliner for much of the last year.

 I believe that God brought me to this place for my good and His glory, and my fervent prayer is that He will show me how HE wants me to redeem this gift of time! I know He doesn't want me to go back to business as usual - this journey would have been pointless otherwise. So I wait, and pray, and praise, and clean, and pull those I love close to me again. It is exciting to wonder what lies ahead!

So there you have it, the reason I haven't posted since February. My sense of humor and my "muse" are coming back, so hopefully this blog will be an outlet for my overactive brain once again!

 

oh the places you'll go .... so get on your way!

Congratulations!
Today is your day!
You're off to great places!
You're off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.'

You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets.

Look them over with care.

About some you'll say

"I don't wish to go there."

With your head full of brains,

And your shoes full of feet,

You're too smart to go down a not-so-good-street.

And you may not find any you'll want to go down.

In that case, of course, you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there, in the wide open air.

Out there things happen, and frequently do,

To people as brainy and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen, don't worry, don't stew.
Just go right along, you'll start happening too!
Oh the places you'll go!
You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers,
Who soar at high heights.
You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

• Except when you don't,
  Because sometimes you won't.
  I'm sorry to say so
  But, sadly it's true
  That bang-ups and hang-ups
  Can happen to you.

You can get so confused that you’ll start in to race
Down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
And grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
Headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.

The Waiting Place… for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come,
Or a plane to go or the mail to come
Or the rain to go or the phone to ring,
Or the snow to snow, or waiting around for a Yes or No
Or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

• Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite
  Or waiting around for Friday night
  Or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake, or a pot to boil,
  or a Better Break or a string of pearls,
  Or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or
  Another Chance.
  Everyone is just waiting.

No! That’s not for you!
Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying.
You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping, once more you’ll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.

• On and on you will hike, And I know you’ll hike far
  and face up to your problems whatever they are.
  You’ll get mixed up of course, as you already know.
  You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.
  So be sure when you step.
  Step with care and great tact
  And remember that Life’s a great balancing act.
  Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
  And never mix up your right foot with your left.

Will you succeed?
Yes you will indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

• Kid you'll move mountains
  So... Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O'Shea,
  You're off to great places!
  Today is your day!
  Your mountain is waiting.
  So... Get on your way.

I was reminded of this spectacular book at Lexi's school program last night (which was adorable - all Dr. Suess songs and costumes), and had to come home and look it up.  I'm astounded at how much truth resides in the words of this silly book.  Not so silly, indeed ... 98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed!