The other day, my best friend, Jane Jett called me to check on me. After giving her an update, she offered me this – she reminded me that there is power in prayer and a lot of them. She suggested I use Facebook to ask for prayer. I don’t really use Facebook for anything but to catch up on lives of people from my life. I love reading about the good stuff and I love sharing all the good stuff in my life, but I have thought about it and today, I feel led to take her suggestion. Can I let you in on something? I am heartbroken. My mom is seriously ill. She is critically ill. She is in the very advanced stages of liver disease. This is something that has come on very quickly, or so we thought. Since Thanksgiving, the disease has progressed rapidly. We were under the impression it was her diabetes and dementia, but now learning, these are just complications and symptoms of the culprit, her diseased liver. She has fallen several times since Christmas and has broken several bones. The latest fall caused her to break both arms and she was admitted for an emergency surgery. The breaks, although devastating and severe, were not the primary concern of even her Orthopedic Surgeon. He was extremely concerned about her overall health as it is deteriorating right before our eyes. Needless to say, with each passing day, I am finding it very difficult to have a “song in your heart.” I am finding it difficult to be “me, Elaina”. Truly, even with my husband being sent home from Afghanistan injured and all that he has had to endure these past months and still what is yet to come, I have stayed strong, but with this, I am finding it ever so challenging to remain grounded. I did however, open my daily devotionals to this today, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18). God wants to be closer to you than the pain. One way He does this is by following you with His goodness and showing up through the hands and hearts of others. He first showed me this when Jane offered her suggestion of asking you all for prayer and so now, I am asking for prayers for my mom, for my father, for my brothers (Paul Coccagna and Ryan), for my family. My father is overwhelmed, but staying strong, or at least he is in front of us. I am sure most of you know that my fifteen year old brother lives with them. He was a Shaken Baby and my parents adopted him as an infant. With all the toxicity moving through my mother, her mind is not what it once was as she forgets and is confused. My father spends most of the time having to remind her of many things. They have been together for over fifty-six years. To watch them together is something rather beautiful. The day after my mother’s surgery, the physical therapist wanted her to get to her feet and walk a few steps. It was very early in the day and my Dad and I were just coming to the hospital room. As we entered the room, we heard the PT encouraging her to get up. She was trying, but it seemed it was all too much. When she saw my father, she said, “I need my husband to be in front of me.” The PT called him over and I watched my parents look into each other’s eyes and with that, she stood. My mom started to cry and my father had tears falling. There again, I saw with my own eyes the strength my parents gave to one another that in turn, they gave to us - the stability and strong foundation. Later, some wonderful friends they have made while living in Myrtle Beach, SC came to visit and they shared some funny stories of their life together. I saw the comfort these stories gave to my mother and it gave me an idea. So I ask all of you this, anyone who has met my parents and has a story or thought about them, would you mind sharing them by posting them? Even if it just an impression they left upon you, a memory you may have when visiting our home, etc. I want to print them and put them in a journal so my father may read them to her (thank you Nicholas Sparks, the Notebook….brilliant idea)! I do have such strong faith and I am trying with all my heart to remember that Faith makes all things possible and Love makes all things easy. As hard as I try and believe me, I am, I find my spirit is waning and my heart breaking. So, in closing, I am taking my best friends advice and asking you all for prayer, for stories. Our family thanks you in advance for you anything you may be kind enough to share. Love to all, Elaina
Posted on: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 22:58:44 +0000
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