I can’t believe the last 4 hours. It was then that my wife called. I could tell from her first word that something was bad. I was in Vancouver, 3500 miles from home and she is in tears. That is not acceptable. Now I’m on a plane with the saddest song I know of playing in my head phones holding back the tears and wishing the damn plane would fly faster. Maybe it would be easier if the lump in my throat would go down.
Mrs. K called to tell me that her father got another bad break today. I haven’t written about his problems as he is private about these thing and I respect this man more than anyone else (outside of of the family that I grew up with and my wife). But right now it seems bad.
Mr. C is secheduled to have a kidney removed on Thursday. The plan for my business trip to Vancouver was to get done by Wednesday and catch the red-eye back to Charlotte to support my wife and her family. Then the call came.
It seems that a pre-surgery MRI shows something on his other kidney. It may be nothing, but it may be very serious, especially with the other kidney about to come out. Now we are all scared to death and Barry Mainlow is singing “It’s raining like a Monday and the world seems so unkind.” No shit, Barry.
There comes a time to stand by and wait and a time for action. This calls for clear action. My customer was great in insisting that I take care of family first and I bid them goodbuy. I packed while talking to US Airways using my bluetooth headset. The call takes so long that I also checked out of the hotel and got 15 minutes down the road before my flights are all set. Thank goodness that I did. Otherwise I would never have made the flight.
So now I am writing on the plane between Vancouver and Las Vegas where I will catch the 11:45 flight to Charlotte. Barring a problem, I’ll be home before Mr. C sees the doctor.
It is times like this that we all need to do what ever it is that will make us proud. That sounds selfish in a way, but really it allows me to get outside of myself and see the end of the ordeal. In each action, will I be happy with myself over the decisions that I made? If I help ease pain where I can and I act in the best interest of others then I will be proud of myself. Sometimes that will mean doing things and saying things that soothe or sometimes hurt, but always with others’ best interest in mind. I can live or die in peace with that.
So it is now a time for others and a time for action. Wish us well and pray if you can.
6 comments:
Very touching post. Love the way you describe taking the high road: "do what ever it is that will make us proud". This is far from selfish when you are a grounded individual with solid character.
If we all lived like this daily, we would likely live far more enriched lives.
I just said a prayer for Mr. C and your family. God be with you.
I'm also going to link to this post. Think the next-to-last paragraph is a good challenge.
Thank you, Clint. We need all the prayers we can get.
God bless you and your family. You did the right thing. And why not feel proud. There is nothing bad about it.
I once heard the great strength is drawn from those who get down on their knees to pray. I believe it. I also believe that the smallest gestures and the kindest words, no matter how minimal can also help turn the weakened heart into a tremendous force. God Bless, I will say a prayer for you and your family.
I hope Mr. C will be o.k. Goodluck to you and yours.
i likes to play
will u snd me some tips 4 that
Post a Comment