What a Beautiful Life We Live

Most of you who read this already know what today is... a year ago I flew, in my car, to University Hospital in San Antonio. Dad had lungs. A year ago I saw Dad on a hospital bed connected to things I don't even care to know about, with a tube down his throat like you SHOULD only see in the movies. A year ago, I watched, thirty minutes prior to surgery, as the doctor called in the "crash cart" because Dad wasn't going to make it. Then, as our friends and family gathered in the waiting room, praying for him, I saw God work a miracle right in front of my eyes. He would make it to surgery whether he was ready to give up or not, God wouldn't let him. A year ago this moment, I was just waking up from a few hours of sleep, next to my soon to be husband, on a lumpy and bumpy pull out couch in a hotel room stocked with snacks and drinks that our friends had kindly provided Mom and us to stay while Dad was in the hospital.

Dad had just gotten out of his surgery about 6 hours prior and was asleep in his ICU room of the Transplant floor. I knew he had no clue that he had a new pair of healthy lungs in his chest. I knew he probably was not waiting for us to show up since I figured he hadn't woken up yet but as tired as we all were, we popped back up and went straight to the hospital. The room was tight with all the machines keeping all his functions in proper working order and we pushed the boundaries for maximum occupancy but who wouldn't want to see a living miracle?

He had been saved. By the Grace of God, Dad would live to see numerous days, hundreds now! He amazed everyone at his speedy recovery...even made some of us nervous that he was pushing it... but determination doesn't fall far from the tree in this family.

So even though Memorial Day Weekend is for the remembrance of our heroes who have served, are serving and will serve in our US armed forces (THANK YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK!!) ...Memorial Day also means a whole hell of a lot more now that MY hero is alive and well.

And while my Dad, undoubtedly, has more things that he has learned and is thankful for than he can even spell (jk, Dad) I'd like to let you all know some things I have learned and am thankful for....not just the miracle that is my Dad but all that comes with that. Our God is a loving and forgiving vessel of hope and grace.

Thankful for:
- God's miracle, my Dad
- The pure example of selflessness, my Mom
- The day that my Dad gets to hold his first grandson and all the times in mini G's life that will remind us of my Dad
- Lumpy and bumpy couches that allow me to be closer to those I love
- Those who ask about my parents who have never met them, have known them or me for years, or who are now part of our family... it's very meaningful even if my response is simply "Good"... good is better than the alternative!
- Those I get to tell this story to who may see God's light in all of it
- Deep breaths...I take them more often now, more consciously, in remembrance of the person who lost his life and allowed Dad his
- The knowledge that the human race is not all lost... that there are still so many loving and caring individuals in the world and that we can all contribute to that growth

I've learned:
- To be more easy going (still a work in progress)
- To notice more and appreciate more
- To live this beautiful life that we've been given to the fullest, even if it means stretching your bank account to go on an adventure, driving just to see your niece's recital even if she won't remember you being there, and/or taking a risk but trusting that God has your best interests at hand and will guide you to the path of success
- What family means to me... and what a true friend looks like
- How to be a better spouse, daughter, aunt, sister, friend and employee
- How to accept help and love from others and swallow my pride
- That nothing, absolutely NOTHING, is as bad as it could be or should be... God only gives us what we can handle

What a beautiful life we live.... count your blessings, thank your US armed forces, and just love....everything and everyone. G, mini G and I love you, Dad and are so thankful for your story and all we have to take away from it