Thursday, September 10, 2009

EIGHT YEARS AGO...HOW DID YOU HEAR


THE WRITING ON THIS BUILDING WAS FROM THE MURRAH FEDERAL BUILDING IN


OKC. WE HAD TEAMS FROM NEW YORK CITY COME TO HELP US, AND WE WILL


ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL FOR THEIR HELP. OURS DID NOT HAPPEN ON 9/11


BUT IT WAS OKLAHOMA'S 9/11.


NOT A SINGLE 9/11 DOES NOT PASS THAT I DO NOT WEEP FOR NEW YORK


CITY....9/11 WAS THE DAY THE WORLD STOOD STILL IN SHOCK AND BELIEVE ME


I HAD NEVER HEARD SO MANY PRAYERS AND SO MANY CLINGING TO THE


NAME OF JESUS......NOW THEY WANT TO TAKE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OFF


THE FEDERAL COURT BUILDINGS....(I WON'T GET STARTED ON THAT) THIS IS ABOUT


MY LOVE AND RESPECT FOR NEW YORK CITY AND EVERY PERSON WHO


LOST A LOVED ONE IN THE TOWERS. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND I


STAND IN AWE OF YOUR DETERMINATION AND TRUE GRIT TO CARRY ON


IN YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS NAME.


EXCEPT FOR THE MERCY OF GOD IT WAS NOT ONE OF US IN THOSE TOWERS....


I LISTENED TO THE STORIES OF THE PEOPLE WHO SAID FOR SOME REASON


WERE RUNNING LATE, HAD A CHILD SICK, HAD A DAY OFF, BUT THEY


MISSED GETTING TO WORK ON TIME OR DOING BUSINESS THERE AT


THAT TIME. SOME EVEN FELT GUILTY FOR NOT BEING THERE.


THE STORY THAT FOR SOME REASON TOUCHED ME WAS WHEN A FOUND


PURSE WAS RETURNED TO FAMILY. I THINK ABOUT AMY AND ALL THE


STUFF SHE CARRIES IN HER PURSE....IT WEIGHS 20 POUNDS....AND I


THINK ABOUT MY SISTER SHERRY WHEN WE SHOP FOR PURSES....WAS THE


FOUND PURSE ONE THAT THE PERSON MIGHT HAVE GONE SHOPPING


WITH HER SISTER FOR......A PURSE IS SUCH A SPECIAL THING AND IT


TAKES A LONG TIME FOR ME TO FIND THE RIGHT PURSE...I GUESS I AM


SILLY BUT IT SEEMS SUCH A PERSONAL THING TO BE ABLE TO RECOVER


FROM A LOVED ONE.


I WAS ASLEEP WHEN RICHARD CALLED ME ON THE PHONE TO TELL ME....I


THOUGHT HE HAD TO BE KIDDING...HE NEVER WATCHES THE NEWS...


I AM THE NEWS WATCHER....I RAN TO THE TV.......AND I COULDN'T


BELIEVE WHAT I WAS SEEING.


I CALLED THREE DIFFERENT WOMEN FROM CHURCH AND WE MET FOR PRAYER.....


NEW YORK MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND FAMILY MEMBERS ALL OVER


THE WORLD WHO HAD FAMILY MEMBERS MURDERED THAT DAY.



THIS IS AMY ONE YEAR BEFORE SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER IN 2008.
RICHARD, AMY, AND I HAD SUCH A BEAUTIFUL TIME THE DAY WE WENT TO
VISIT THE OKC MEMORIAL MUSEUM....YOU CANNOT BELIEVE THE PEOPLE
WHO COME THROUGH THE MUSEUM AND LEAVE UGLY COMMENTS IN THE
GUEST BOOK.
UPDATE ON AMY:
SHE IS NAUSEATED OR THROWING UP ALL THE TIME AND IN LOTS OF
PAIN. SHE HAS NOT KEPT DOWN ANY NUTRITION THROUGH HER PEG TUBE
FOR OVER 54 HOURS. SHE IS ALERT , SHE SMILES WHEN MAIL COMES,
SHE WATCHES A LITTLE TV AND I READ TO HER BUT THAT IS HER LIFE.
SHE ONLY WANTS ME TO BATHE HER....SHE DOESN'T WANT THE HOSPICE
AIDE TO COME. SHE USUALLY GOES TO THE BATHROOM ONLY ONE
TIME A DAY....SHE NEEDS ASSISTANCE TO WALK AND OUR NEW GOAL
IS TO WALK 3 TIMES. SHE WALKS ABOUT 100 FEET TOTAL A DAY NOW,
IF SHE GOES TO THE BATHROOM. FOR 2 DAYS SHE WAS SLEEPING THROUGH
THE NIGHT BUT NOW SHE IS RESTLESS AND AGITATED AND DOESN'T WANT
ANYONE MAKING ANY NOISE....NO RUSTLING OF PAPER....NOTTA A
NOISE OF ANY KIND.
I THANK GOD EVERY DAY FOR HIS HEALING TOUCH AND ONE MORE DAY
WITH AMY. EVERY TIME I HOLD HER HAND AND KISS IT AND CRY, SHE
WILL SAY, DON'T BE SAD MOTHER.......SHE WRITES IT.....SHE DOES NOT
TALK ANY MORE....I ASK HER IF IT HURT TO TALK BUT SHE WROTE, IT
DOESN'T HURT TO TALK BUT IT TAKES TOO MUCH ENERGY......THEY TOLD US AS
THE MASS GROWS, IT CLOSES WHAT LITTLE AIRWAY SHE STILL HAD AND THEN
SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TALK. SHE WILL ALWAYS BE ABLE TO BREATHE
BECAUSE OF THE TRACH.
UPDATE ON LEILA:
LEILA AND HER HUSBAND KORBIE HAD BEEN TO SEE AMY MONDAY AND
LEILA WAS COMING BACK ON WEDNESDAY. TUESDAY NIGHT LEILA
BECAME VERY ILL AND COME WEDNESDAY MORNING SHE WAS IN THE
HOSPITAL WITH IV ANTIBIOTICS AND HAS SOME UNDETERMINED INFECTION.
JUST 2 WEEKS AGO SHE FINISHED HER LAST CHEMOTHERAPY SESSION.
ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS, CARDS, AND GIFTS. YOU
WILL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH YOU BRIGHTEN AMY'S DAY AND MY DAY.
TO SEE AMY SMILE IS HONEY TO MY SOUL.
SO MANY PEOPLE NEED PRAYER. PLEASE REMEMBER THESE PEOPLE
IN PRAYER:
SHERRY'S FOOT, MARYDON EYES RELATED TO ALLERGIES, SALLY, PATRICIA,
JEAN, TERRY, ROY AND ELISABETH, LADY KATHERINE, LADY PENNIWIGS SON,
ASHLEY, PEGGY, TAMMY, AJ AND IRENE, KIPPIE, DENNIS, JAY, BOBBY,
HEATHER, ISABEL'S KNEE, JENNIFER, TOM, KATHY, BJ, AND RICHARD,
RICHIE, AND ME
THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH BEAUTIFUL SUPPORT, INSPIRATION, AND
SUCH GIVING PEOPLE. YOU HAVE TOUCHED MY HEART FOREVER.
ANGEL HUGS
LOVE
debbie

33 comments:

  1. Debbie, What a beautiful post on Oklahoma City and 9/11. I have been to Okla City twice, Once just after it happened and again after the memorial was finished. I have been to NY but hope to go this year with my daughter.

    Thanks for the update on Amy...be strong dear friend and treasure each day good or bad, as I know you are doing. Sorry to hear about Lelia, she is in my prayers also.

    I am headed to Dallas today, with 2 friends to pick up some chairs, talk soon.

    Love you much,
    Barbara

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  2. I was sitting on the subway, moving to three blocks of the Trade Center. Will never forget the sight that greeted me when I got off the subway, a million pieced of paper falling from the sky and smoke. So started the lonest day of our lives. I am so grateful for the prayer that covered us that day and still cannot thank you enough. My prayers and thoughts are with you and Amy and Leila, too.

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  3. Debbie, great post for 9/11. I too remember it like yesterday, I cried all day long while watching the news and just could not believe it! My heart went out to those folks and their families and I felt totally helpless. I hope Amy is able to get some rest, you both are in my prayers daily, and her friend Leila also ((HUGS))

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  4. Thank you for sharing your heart. I know my is breaking for Oklahoma, New York, and for you - so yours must be broken as well. I can't imagine the pain you must be in. I's so very sorry. Prayers being sent from GA.

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  5. I had dropped my son off to school, and was home with my little girl. I had the TODAY show on while I was doing housework. I noticed that something had changed in the programming, and looked up to hear Matt L saying that something has happened,and a camera panned to the first building. Not long, the second plane hit, and I sobbed. It hit me so hard (no pun intended), as I know it hurt so many. My heart screamed for those people lost, and their families. I thought our world was coming to an end when those buildings fell. Of course the news of the Pentagon, and Penn crashes were soon to follow. I'll never forget those days. I held my daughter, called my family, thanked God they were safe, and weeped for the lost. A day I will never forget, and NEVER want to forget. I remember how this country pulled together. Everyone seemed "nicer", more caring. It's a shame it takes tragedy to make us appreciate what we have/had.

    You are so brave and strong for your Amy. She is so blessed to have a mother like you! As equally blessed you are to have her. I pray that she has peace, and the pain ceases, if it is God's Will. Bless you and your family.

    Amy

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  6. What a joy to visit you my friend. Thinking of you every day and trusting God with all the details going on.

    I see the Memorial all the time as I use the downtown OKCITY Post Office a lot. A constant reminder that good always prevails over evil.

    "In His time. In His time. He makes all things beautiful in His time. Lord please show me every day as your teaching me your way, that You do just what You say, In Your time."

    Love to you...Rebecca

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  7. Bless you guys. I've never met you but I think about you and Amy every day. I, too, will never forget that day, for sure...

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  8. Debbie,

    Thank you very much for stopping by my photo blog and leaving such wonderful, warm comments! Your blog is beautfiul as well ~ and your daughter is too! I will keep your Amy in prayer! That is NOT the fate our Jehovah has in mind for His children! Jer 29:11

    In His Service
    l.ann

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  9. Debbie

    This was a wonderful post about a day that will forever be burned in our minds. I was on the way home from dropping my daughter off at school. I sat the rest of the day (like millions of others all over America) weeping in front of the TV. I remember the feeling of connection that soo many felt across America with each after that time...we will never forget. Your daughter and you have been in my heart and prayers every since I discovered you. I will pray that God's peace that passes all understanding will guard over your hearts and minds as you go through this time. My heart truly does break for you. It has to be so hard to watch. Your testimony for our great and mighty Lord shines through in your writing. The Lord is using you in a wonderful way. Have a good week-end..Blessings to you and yours, Debbie

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  10. As Always Debbie a lovely Post.....It is hard to believe that eight years have passed....
    Hugs,
    Mo :-)

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  11. A lovely post, Debie. I am so sorry for Amy's pain and suffering. I am continuing my prayer for healing.

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  12. Hello Aunt Debbie, thank you for your kind words towards the dolls I made, the girls do love em, and slept with em last night. I know they are not a crafty design but I didn't have a sewing machine so everything had to be done by hand.

    I am sorry to hear about everything that is going on with Amy. I can not even imagine how you are dealing with all this suffering and torment in your heart and life. To see your child suffer, I will never understand what you are going threw. I will continue to pray for your strength, and for Amy as well. I love you both more than you could ever imagine, and I would never want anything bad to happen to either of you, and what you are going threw is just terrible. I am sorry for that. I know God's plan with unravle soon and your answers will be produced, life is crazy at times and one can not understand Gods plan, accept for God.

    Stay strong, may the angels wrap their loving wings around you and amy this evening.

    Love always,
    Heidi

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  13. Tears are streaming down my face as I read your very touching and heartfelt post. My prayers and heart goes out to your and your family... God bless you all...

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  14. Debbie - what a lovely post about this day and the losses we all suffered.

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and Amy.

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  15. Hugs to you and Amy!

    God Bless the USA!

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  16. Debbie, thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts. So very true, I will never forget this tragic day nor what I was doing at the very moment. I was cleaning up the house, while listening to Fox News. At first I thought "huh?" thinking perhaps they were discussing some movie...then after my foggy mind finally was able to wrap around what truly was happening when the second plane hit...the shock of it all hit me...and has remained with me ever since.
    Please know Amy has been kept in my prayers sweet lady, as well as you and your family.
    God Bless us all...
    Alexandria

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  17. Hi Debbie,
    I wanted to write and let you know I ahve sent a small package and a card to amy, at the hustle and bustle of the post office, i put the card ibn the mailer envelope to see if it would fit and before I knew it the mail guy sealed it up and took it, I rememebered in my car, I had not even signed the card yet, oh well, tell her my message is
    God is watching over you and you will be Protected by all those angels
    I sent her a small pink christmas angel
    hugs,
    jamie

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  18. Hi, Sweetie ~ Never ceases to amaze me how peanut butter never gets spread thin ... chuckle! Hope today is better & you heard 'the words'. Love you ... Hugs, TTFN ~ Me/Peanut Butter

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  19. Dear Debbie,
    What a beautiful tribute you have written! My prayers continue to be with you and Amy.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  20. Hello My Precious Sister.
    I just stopped by to say "I love you." I hope Amy's cards have been arriving slowly throughout the week. I want to keep mailing as I know she sho loves mail time. What a beautiful tribute you have written today. I just love it. What a scary day that was, I was at work that day when we watched silently as the first hit. When the second hit, I headed for home and waited for my rock of gibraltar to arrive. (Tony) he was not long behind me. We sat huddled on the couch watching the TV all day. Our safe and secure world as we knew it was suddenly not anymore. I pray for peace for all Americans every day.

    I pray for you strength, rest, and peace in your soul. I pray that God will take you in his arms and rock you to a peace in your soul that you will find answers for what you are searching. I so love you Debbie. I will be home in 20 days sweetie. Hang on. I am right here beside you walking and holding your hand. Give my Amy Girl a big hug and tell her Aunt Sherry loves her. I know she knows, but I like to tell her every day. I love you my precious sister, Sherry

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  21. Hi Debbie.. I am so sorry to hear of the pain Amy endures, but I am happy to hear she can still smile. I admire her strength. If you would, tell her that I'm with her about purses! I need ALL MY STUFF!! It's ALL important, and I NEED it, and I'm sure MY bag weighs a good twenty pounds ALSO! I always loved the live motion picture of 101 Dalmations, where Anita clubs Roger in the head with her purse full of bricks, because she thinks he is stealing her dog!! Too FUNNY!!! (0; Well, Debbie and Amy, you are still in my prayers. God bless you both and all your family. ((hugs)) ~tina

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  22. Still here for all of you.
    QMM

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  23. These maniacs bombing places and killing, they sicken me, they were destroyers but they did not destroy the spirit of the people of Oklahoma, the people of NYC, the Pentagon workers, or the families of those on the flight that was bravely taken down in Pennsylvania.

    My clumsy words can't express how sad and distressed I feel about Amy's ordeal. But I know she is fighting to stay in life, and I am glad, too, that she is fighting, because that is her wish, and every day with Amy in it is a good day.

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  24. Thank you!
    Hugs and blessings, lisa

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  25. Debbie, it's so good to get your post! I was about to email Sherry to find out Amy's condition. I've been praying for her and for you. I'm so, so sorry that she is struggling so much, and I know the difficulty in caring for her 24/7, but you love her so much, you find the strength to do whatever it takes to make her comfortable. I am still praying for a miraculous healing...I haven't given up, as I know you haven't, and all of your blogging friends are still praying daily for Amy's healing...it's never too late for God...He can show up with a miracle at any moment. No one can know your heartache, and no one can really express their sadness, but I hope you can feel our love and our prayers, and that we are somehow lifting you up. If only we could all take turns, and come help you do what needs to be done. God loves you, Debbie, so much, and He loves Amy beyond what any of us can imagine. Seems impossible, especially to a mother, but we know He does...we just have to believe that with all our hearts. I hope you are able to stay in touch through your blog or email. I might have missed a post, not sure, but I've been watching for you. I know you haven't much time or energy for this, but all of us want to know what is happening in your lives. I won't say take care, of course, you are taking care, but I will say that I pray you can get rest when you need it, and that Amy can rest comfortably, and is at peace. She is such a fighter, God bless her for not wanting to give up on her life...I believe there's something in her that knows God can pull her through. Bless you, Debbie, I pray that will pour out His blessings on you and Amy tonight, tomorrow, and always. Love you, dear Debbie.

    Mary

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  26. I remember when that happened , how devastating it was too. I always thought the memorial with all the chair sculptures was beautiful. So serene.

    I still pray for your family, to have the strength to take each day, come what may. I'm glad to hear Amy is still enjoying "mail call". Hang in there, we are all here for you.

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  27. Debbie, I don't know how I missed seeing this as you are on my Google Reader. I am thinking of you and sending love to Amy. Please give her my love and Mr. Magpie's. Sending you much love today and every day...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  28. Hello sweet Aunt. I hope your evening is going well. Thank you for visiting me on my first pink Saturday, it was fun, and since a lot of blogs are getting into the whole fall scene I thought fall in the pink would be a fun thing to do. I loved the pink leaves all over the ground and it would be incredible to take a walk down that road. It is a road I will only see in my dreams but you never know maybe I will find this road one day. Tell everyone hello and I love them. I love you and hope you are doing well, and remembering to take your meds, and try to rest you need to keep up on your sleep also, even though it's hard to sleep right now, you still need to care for your health also.
    I love you.

    Hugs, and kisses,
    Heidi

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  29. Debbie ~ You are such a sweet, selfless person, My prayers are always with you and your family.

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  30. Howdy Sweet Lady
    Just dropped by to let you know I was thinking about you and Amy this morning .
    God be with you today and hold you in His infinite love .
    May you be comforted all through the day and filled with a deep abiding joy that cannot be expressed in words .
    May the joy of the Lord pour forth into your thoughts all through the day and the coming week.
    Be blessed my dear Debbie .
    Lord God I ask you to fill the Ragan home with love,healing,laughter,joy and miracles this day in Jesus name Amen !
    Big hugs from Texas
    Love in Christ our Lord

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  31. Your tribute says it all, it's all up to God Almighty and his plan for all of us. We never know what will be in store, but I do believe in miracles and think we see them everyday. Keeping Amy and all of you tucked in my heart and in my prayers, May God be with you, Happy Pink Saturday dear ones, Char

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  32. Debbie-
    Thank you for your phone call tonight it was so good to talk with you, I wish I could have just reached out and hugged you. I asked my sister what my mother had and she said it was TPN...but it has to be monitored so closely (my mother's glucose levels whet skyrocket and she ended up with I think a diabetic coma...and never returned) so I don't know if this would be an answer or not for you. I wish I had something magical to tell you....the only thing I know for sure is prayer...sometimes I wish I could just reach out and touch the hem of his garment for healing for those we love. I am still praying for you and Amy. I am so grateful for your faith, you have been an inspiration and Amy to everyone who reads of your courage and strentgh and faith...you are serving Him with every post you and Sherry have written and every suffering Amy is going through. We press on and persevere to the end and we will reap rewards, we will have many crowns to give Jesus. Rememeber not everyone will understand every decision/action, unless you have walked in that shoe. But he is right there with you closer than you can imagine. Do you have a CD play...wondering if you were able to play Amy the CD? I love the song on there...Jesus Lover of my Soul. I sent a card in the mail today...funny you called..
    sweet angels kisses and hugs

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  33. Hola, Debbie
            Es gracias Lucy por su puesto. Yo no sé mucho Inglés, pero mi hijo y él no me ayuda. Estoy feliz de que usted amó PR es maravilloso aquí. Yo viví 9 años en Nueva York y me encantó, parece ser una buena persona!;)
      Dios te bendiga.

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Blessings
Angel Hugs
debbie