Tag Archives: family

Jun21

DAY 170 (2014)

Posted on June 21, 2014 by lsgrlr

This basically my mom’s reaction… God loves to surprise His children, He’s good like that.

My mom’s birthday is on Sunday. As my brother and I decided what to do for her, we came up with a GREAT idea. We’d surprise her with the one thing she wanted most: My brother to come visit. Everyday since he moved to Buffalo at least one time a day she’ll say these words, “I miss Jon.” Yesterday morning I woke up, told my mom I had to help my boss with something, but I’d be back to pick her up and take her out. At which point I headed to airport to get “my boss” (aka. baby brother). I retrieved him from the airport, made a quick Starbucks run (we were both coffee deprived), then headed home. When I got home I left my brother sitting in the car in the driveway. Went inside and asked my mom, to come help me get stuff out of the car. She walked through the garage toward the driveway, she had a quizzical look on her face. Then she noticed him and immediately started screaming for joy. She was so excited (still is), she started laughing, crying, and yelling all at the same time (I did not know that was even possible). Here’s the cool part: she couldn’t stop thanking God. Why is that the cool part? She knew to whom the praise belonged. She did thank my brother and I for the surprise, but her praise was all toward God. She praised Him for providing my brother with the funds to travel. She thanked Him for my willingness to get up at an insane hour in the morning. She thanked Him for another year of life that she will get to begin with both her children around. There was not a thing that she did not praise Him for. I am blessed beyond measure to have this, godly woman, as my example in life. She has taught me that truly “EVERY good and perfect gift is from God.”

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17).

So what’s the plan? Know to whom the praise belongs.

Mar13

DAY 72 (2014) – Saying Goodbye

Posted on March 13, 2014 by lsgrlr

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Goodbyes are often hard, but when done for the right reason will give birth to something beautiful.

Last day before I go back to South Florida and leave my baby brother in Buffalo. Can’t lie, I am nervous, a little scared, and really sad. We have not been separated in a while, and the family unit we have right now is very tight. So this feels like a part of my flesh is about to be cut off. This is an odd feeling for me, because I am not the personality type to miss things when they are gone. Sounds cold, doesn’t it? But it isn’t. I have always believed that life, things, and people are transient, and not permanent. Does that mean that I treat them carelessly? No, on the contrary it means that I treat them as though each day, each moment is the last I will be able to spend with them. So my goal always with friendships and life is to learn, grow, and respect the people and things that God has blessed me to encounter. Because of this attitude I don’t often feel sad at goodbyes. But this goodbye will hurt. To my brother (who reads my posts everyday…he’s my loyal fan 😉 ). I am praying for you. I know that you are where you are for a reason. I know that at this moment you may feel overwhelmed and maybe even scared. But don’t ever feel like those feeling make you a coward or weak. Understand that those feelings are the stepping stones to strength. I am very proud of you, and even though I may not show it, I will hate being apart from you for even a second. But I know that God will wrap His loving arms around you and keep you safe until we are reunited. Love you always. Your big sister, Lisa.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).

So what’s my plan of attack? Trust God to take care of the part of me that will be missing.

Feb10

DAY 41 (2014)

Posted on February 10, 2014 by lsgrlr

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We can’t do it alone, we all need help on the journey.
(Picture taken at House Of Hope, S. Korea)

Today was a rough day emotionally. I know in the medical field you shouldn’t have favorites, but I have to admit there are some patients that feel more like family. One “family” member is in the hospital right now. The orders are to discharge to hospice (which for me usually means, they won’t be going home again). her family, understandably so, is dodging the hospice nurse. They aren’t ready, she’s not ready, I am not ready for that matter. After a visit which ’bout broke my heart. I started to wonder why I do this, why did I chose to work in a place that brings some much loss? Loss that even when I pretend it is fine, never is. About an hour after my visit with that “family” member. Another member of the family came in. Two years ago, she had the same discharge orders (hospice). She had cancer everywhere…brain, spine, and breast. She had to walk with a walker, she could not stand on her own and at one point she had such bad mental impairment she couldn’t complete sentences. Today she drove herself to the office visit, she was joking about her children, and she is thankful everyday for every single breath she breaths. As I was talking to her, that still voice reminded me…That right there is why I do this. Because while there is pain in this job, there is also HOPE. Hope is why I do this…everyday we fight, we give someone who may not have otherwise had it…HOPE.

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

So what’s my plan of attack? Hold on to HOPE.

Jul11

DAY 192

Posted on July 11, 2013 by lsgrlr

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We can’t do it alone, we all need help on the journey. Be thankful for the people who help you grow.
(Picture taken at House Of Hope, S. Korea)

Had a revelation today. While having a conversation with my mom. My discovery: parents are self-sacrificing. What’s even more interesting, they do it automatically. My mom is a very giving person. For this reason sometimes she feels taken advantage of. She was feeling a little down today (my mom has gone through a lot in the past several years), as she sat talking about all the people she has helped and all the people she has given to. Her emotions got the better of her when she thought about the fact that when she needed help no one came to her aid. This is her perspective and in some cases it has been skewed by her emotions. In other areas the statement is very true. But here’s the thing about my mom, if any of those people were to come to her now and ask for help, if it was in her power to do so…she’d still help. I realized that my bother and I often take advantage (although most times unwittingly). Why? We have been trained to expect her to do what she has always done. Why? She is mom. Listening to her today I see how much she does. How much see cares, how much she gives without expecting anything in return. Here’s the lesson be grateful and thankful for the people in your life that give to you without expecting anything in return. Don’t take for granted that they will also be around. More importantly GIVE back to them, just because a person always does something, it doesn’t make it their job forever. We are called to bear one another’s burdens. HELP carry each other’s load, it will make the journey more enjoyable.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2, NIV).

So what am I thankful for today? My mom :).