I looked at this picture closely. So many friends joined in hands as they walk thepath home or to school or just walking for fun.
When you are that age, no one worries that their walk might end in disaster. They are
living in the moment and having fun.
When Amy was little and all her friends...mostly boys...would play, I never looked
at her or her friends and wondered.......now which one of these friends will
die of cancer....which one will die in a car accident...which one will become an
alcoholic or drug addict...which one will be raped...which one will become a
child abuser....who would die serving his country on foreign soil or on this land
as in 911...as a missionary on foreign soil...a police officer in the line of duty...
I never did. I knew which one was a comic....which one liked the girls too much...
which one would probably run for mayor...who would become a teacher
I remember Dr. Hensley, Amy's pediatric oncologist saying after Amy was
in remission, "Lightening doesn't strike twice, Debbie. Amy will be fine."
Then I read a story the other day about a man that had been struck 3 times!
THERE IS A PATH WE MUST EACH WALK.
THAT WALK IS UNIQUE TO EACH OF US.
EVEN THOSE WHO ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO LIVE IN EXCESS OF 80 PLUS
YEARS AND LIVE THE "GOOD LIFE"...THEIR PATH WAS UNIQUE TO ONLY THEM.
ONE OF OUR FELLOW BLOGGERS......TERRY....
needs our prayers. I had never met her before but she is a wife, mother, and
loves to quilt.
TERRY'S HUSBAND WAS HURT IN AN ACCIDENT AT WORK, 2 DAYS AGO.
A BULLDOZER RAN OVER HIM AND HIS LEG WAS TRAPPED. THEY HAD TO
AMPUTATE HIS RIGHT LEG BELOW THE KNEE. YES, THE ACCIDENT COULD
HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE BUT WITH AN AMPUTATION, FOR YEARS THERE IS
PHANTOM PAINS. HE IS IN A HOSPITAL AN HOUR FROM WHERE THEY LIVE.
TERRY MUST GET THE CHILDREN TO SCHOOL AND THEN DRIVE TO THE
HOSPITAL AND THEN BE BACK HOME BEFORE THE CHILDREN GET OUT OF
SCHOOL. THEY NEED OUR PRAYERS.
A LADY FROM MY COUSIN'S CHURCH, LOST HER 26 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER
IN A CAR WRECK.
THERE IS A PATH WE EACH MUST WALK. NO, I DON'T LIKE THE PATH I
AM ON RIGHT NOW. I WANT TO TAKE OFF RUNNING AND NEVER STOP.
I AM ANGRY THAT MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN STRUCK BY CANCER TWICE.
WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG CHILD WITH CANCER, I DIDN'T LIKE THE PATH.
AND I WAS FURIOUS EVERY TIME A LITTLE CHILD WENT HOME TO BE WITH
THE LORD. I WANTED THEM ALL TO LIVE. I WANTED THE PAIN TO BE
GONE FROM THEIR PARENTS' EYES. WE HAD A SUPPORT GROUP.
IT WAS CALLED A CIRCLE OF FRIENDS.
THAT IS WHAT WE ARE HERE IN BLOG LAND...A CIRCLE OF FRIENDS.
WE ALL KNOW THERE IS A PATH THAT WE EACH MUST WALK THAT IS
UNIQUE TO EACH OF US......BUT WE ARE THERE TO PRAY...TO SEND CARDS...
TO HELP IN ANY WAY WE CAN THAT WILL HELP THE JOURNEY DOWN
THE PATH EASIER, THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE, THAT GOD LOVES US,
AND JOY WILL EVENTUALLY RETURN.
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE CARDS FOR AMY.
CAROL B. YOU MADE ME CRY WITH JOY. THAT IS SOMETHING I WILL
TREASURE FOREVER. GOD BLESS YOU. GOD HAS BEEN SO KIND
UPDATE ON AMY...weight has dropped to 58 pounds, She continues to throw up, she can no
longer walk, we can barely manage her pain. Her friend Leila came again
yesterday afternoon at 5pm and stayed until 9pm. Amy would not take any
pain medicine as she didn't want to sleep while Leila was here and it took
until 5:00am today for her pain to ease up.
THE FOLLOWING ALSO NEED PRAYER......
Amy, Leila and Korbie, Andrew, Ashley,Bill and Kerrie, Baby Girl Simran, born 10 weeks
early--a friend of Marydon's,Momma B and her husband, Doris and Richard, Patricia,
Jean and Bill, Monte and Sondra, Teresa, Archee, Brandon, Tammy, Jennifer, Madonna,
Joyce, Connie, Sally, Kristie, Katie, Jamie, Donetta, Terry, Sarah, Roy and Elisabeth,
Megan and Richie, Richard and Debbie, Don, Tom, John, Melt, AJ and Irene, Cecelia,
Jacob,Heidi, Sherry and Tony as they travel to Oklahoma, Marydon, Suzanne,
Jay, Dennis, Patty, Sally, Becca, Tawna and Mike, Cass and Will
I THANK MY GOD EVERY TIME I REMEMBER YOU.
~PHILIPPIANS 1:3
ANGEL HUGS
LOVE
Debbie
My Life is but a weaving
ReplyDeletebetween my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.
Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the under side.
Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.
He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.
Author Unkown
Gee I wish I had answers for you and Amy and I don't. Someday you will understand or it won't be important. Again I am so sorry. My heart is heavy for you. Prayers. Sandie
My prayers are with you Debbie.....Your faith and strength are amazing! My heart is heavy for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Lynn
I'm praying for ya Debbie to stay strong!! Every Wednesday you are lifted by many at my small group from church! Hope you feel our prayers tonight!! Your whole family is actually prayed for and especially Amy Girl!!
ReplyDeleteLove and Prayers!
Natalie,
That was beautiful Chatty Crone!!
Dear Sweet Debbie...
ReplyDeleteMany many years ago I stumbled upon this poem and memorized it. I was just a child but it spoke to me in a way that nothing ever had up until that time. I think I posted about it once but I want you to have it here... May it minister to you today and show you that in all things God goodness can and will prevail if only we will believe.
I'm thinking of you today and this painful journey. Asking God for peace and His Severest Mercy to bathe over you all...
I love you very, very much. Rebecca
"THE ROAD IS TOO ROUGH"
“The road is too rough,” I said,
“Dear Lord, there are stones that hurt me so.”
And He said, “Dear child, I understand,
I walked it long ago.”
“But there’s a cool green path,” I said;
“Let me walk there for a time.”
“No child,” He gently answered me,
“The green path does not climb.”
“My burden,” I said, “Is far too great,
How can I bear it so?”
“My child,” He said, “I remember the weight;
I carried My cross, you know.”
But I said, “I wish there were friends with me
Who would make my way their own.”
“Oh, yes,” He said, “Gethsemane
Was hard to bear alone.”
And so I climb the stony path,
Content at last to know
That where my Master had not gone,
I would not need to go.
And strangely then I found new friends,
The burden grew less sore;
And I remember—long ago
He went that way before.
- Olga J. Weiss
Debbie, this was such a good post. I cannot believe how the Lord is using you to inspire others while going through such a difficult season in your life. Everything you said is soo true. Everywhere around us is both tragedy and joy. This last year has been a year of deep reflection for me as my only daughter married and moved 1000 miles away from me. It has been harder than I thought in many ways, but the Lord is so faithful. He has taught me much. I was thinking all the things you were talking about in this blog the other day. There was an old picture of my daughters I came across the other day. Her and several of her high school girl friends laughing into the camera. Life has taken them all in many different directions. Several of them are married now or just finishing up school, starting out on their careers....Her best friend just gave birth to her first baby. And one of them was killed just one short month ago in a terrible car accident. How my heart aches for her mother and their family. Just as my heart aches for you and all you are going through. Yes, there are many different paths and roads our lives can take us, and eventually we will all find ourselves on ones we don't want to be on. How I feel for those who are on those paths and don't have the Lord to hold their hands and walk them through. I know that you know that many, many people both those you know and those of us you have never met, are standing with you on this road and pray every day that the Lord would give you His strength to endure. I pray this is a good day for Amy, her pain controlled and bearable, I thank Him your sister is on her way as I type this to stand with you and comfort you both with her presence. I pray you feel God's mighty arms surround you with His love and comfort. In Jesus name, Amen. Blessings to you, Debbie
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I am also praying that today will be a good day for Amy. That her pain will will be controllable today and she will feel God's loving arms around her.
ReplyDeleteKnowing that Sherry is on her way is a great comfort I am sure.
Know that you all are loved and prayed for.
Hugs,
Lynn♥
Dear Debbie,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that Sherry is on her way to be there with you. God bless you all. Sending my love and my prayers for a better day today.
Blessings,
Sandi
Dear Debbie, your words tell of you inner strength during this painful walk, as you reach out to others to comfort them while praying for your own child to be well. I continue to pray for Amy, asking the Lord to give her peace in her mind and spirit, comfort in her body, and joy in her heart. She has gone through so much, but she still thinks of her visit with Leila over her own pain, and she waits for Sherry...she has a huge heart, one that has been touched by God, and reaches through the country as she touches us. I am praying that our wonderful Father scoop all of you up in His arms and cradle you with mercy and kindness. Please give Amy a little kiss from me and my prayer partners...we continue to pray for her daily, as so many of us are doing. May God bring blessings and comfort to both of you today.
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs,
Mary
Dear Debbie, thank you so much for your sweet words that you left on my blog, so I wanted to come and visit you. Reading your posts have brought tears to my eyes, and I'm praying for your sweet daughter and your family. You have such an important ministry here in blogland...giving encouragement to others and prayer for those in need. I just joined as a follower so I can keep up with you and what is happening.
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,
Debra
Two beautiful poems in your comments, from Chatty Crone and Rebecca -- very comforting -- but my heart is beyond heavy for Amy's path and yours. I feel angry, it's like you are being tortured. The path is too much, the way is too long and yet not long enough, and no mom should ever, ever have to look upon such a path for her child.
ReplyDeleteAmy is such an amazing person, refusing pain meds in order to see Leila, the strength it shows in that tiny 58 pounds wisp of a girl, it makes me weep, she is so strong in spirit while so devastated in body.
I have nothing wise to say, except I do remember in your Bible, in the book of Job, and didn't he have a bad time of it, it says
"God will let you laugh again;
you will raise the roof
with shouts of joy!"
Hard to believe now, though. Give it time. Right now, I feel time is our enemy, creeping up on Amy, but that is just measuring in human time, that's meaningless in the place her path ends, and all our paths end. In that place, time is again a friend to us.
Debbie, my heart aches for you and I wish I could take the pain away. I am so glad that Sherry is on her way there. God Bless. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteI saw Terry's husbands accident on the morning news...Prayers for this entire list here!!! God, you know the needs and intent of everyones heart listed (not listed) on this page. I pray the Great Physician's healing hand on each and every need listed (not listed) here. In Jesus' Name Amen.
ReplyDeleteHello Debbie.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you all,
d
Hi Debbie, well, I think I finally figured out where dear Amy gets her strength, from you, her loving momma! Sometimes we all wonder why our lives take the paths they do, why some suffer so and others not so much so, I guess it is for God to know for now, and once we are all back to our spiritual selves all will be clear to us:)Keeping you all in prayers and close to my heart~ carmen
ReplyDeleteYou have guts, and heart, and spirit... I am so glad you posted this particular post.
ReplyDeleteYou are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. Things must be so tough for you right now, I hope Sherry's arrival will give you comfort and strength to help see you through what lies ahead.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, thinking of you all every moment. I borrowed one of your "Praying for Amy" pics and posted it on my blog just now. My heart is so full for you. Just sending love and of course continual prayer... ♥ Kerrie
ReplyDeleteOh so many prayers! Only good thoughts!! I know God will help them all!
ReplyDeleteHugs and prayers, Lisa
I come to you in every way, if only you remember Me each second of the day. I hear you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteOh, Debbie, I think of you all constantly, as you know, my heart aches for everyone ... I love yoy all so deeply.
I will feel so much better when Sherry arrives to be there with you, Debbie. I just spoke with her on the road, all is well, traffic is slow because of construction.
Hugs & prayers, my special ones ... In love, Marydon
Dear Debbie -
ReplyDeleteI continue to pray for Amy - and for you. Remember that you are not alone and you are being held in very strong arms. Deuteronomy 33:27 is a favorite: The eternal God is your refuge,and underneath are the everlasting arms. Rest in His arms.
~Adrienne~
Debbie, sending my thoughts & prayers for Amy, you and your family.. I pray that God takes away her pain, and that she will be able to have something stay down when she eats or drinks it...
ReplyDeleteSending My Love to you all...
~Lynn/OKC
This was such a good post Debbie. I so wish you didn't have to walk this path you are walking, but I can hear your strength and faith in your words. It is apparent that God is holding you up, and I give thanks for that. I'll keep on praying. With love, laurie
ReplyDeleteDebbie, your faith and love are such a comfort to not just Amy and your family but all of us bloggers. I'm so sorry that you are all having to go down this path. I hope your sister's visit is a blessing, and know that I'm continuing to keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDelete♥Heidi
Your incredible, God-given faith -- never ceases to amaze me. God Bless you all....
ReplyDeleteYou are a very strong woman Debbie. I wish this didn't have to happen. I am so sorry for Amy and for her family. I am so glad your sister is coming. Cindy
ReplyDeleteDebbie-Good that Sherry is coming to be with you all. My heart and soul aches for you along with the tears, a time for everything, I pray for the day we will hug and laugh and God will wipe away our tears. I pray for Amy's pain, she is an amazing woman and you are an awesome Mom. May God bless you all with his presence and comfort and healing. Love you, Michelle
ReplyDeletebe embraced
ReplyDeleteMorning Dear Friend, I think I told you, I don't have any addresses on this computer, so I just have to write here.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post...we do all have a path and you and Richard and Amy are walking hers together. I know it is not a pleasant walk and I like Penniwig am angry and feeling helpless. But, in my heart,my thoughts and prayers, I am walking with you.
I will be home tonight. Praying always.
Love,
Barbara
Debbie,Stopping with with a quick hug...I have been so crazy busy lately and wanted you to know that YOU and yours are always in my prayers! I think of you daily though....take care !
ReplyDeleteHello Debbie
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that Sherry arrived safely.You are so right about our paths...one never knows when you look at a child what their out come/or cross will be in their life.My dear lady, you have endured so much as a mom,my heart goes out to you,and your husband. I and my husband continue to pray for you both and for your sweet Amy girl.Remember that He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you.
Gracie
Is Sherry there, she said she was an hour away the last time I spoke to her last night. I am so very glad she will be with you, Debbie. You need her & the togetherness love you both can share at this time. Love one another like there was no other love on this earth. Hugs of love, TTFN ~Marydon
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I am sending you hugs this morning and a special prayer for comfort and understanding during these difficult times.
ReplyDeleteHugs....Ann
Debbie, I can't get this verse out of mind: "Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord." I can't quote you verse and scripture, but that is buried deep in my heart. Am sending you and Amy and all of your family much, much love.
ReplyDeleteI don't have my computer (am on Adelaide's right now), but I will have Mr. Magpie check in to keep me posted. As always, I'm standing with you...
XO,
Sheila