Laura Story is one of my favorite songwriters and singer. This song, “Blessings” refrain goes like this:
“Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepness nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are your mercies in disguise.”
This summer, my Mother in Law took a bad fall that set the path forward of a stay at a rehab. Thankfully, she is recovering and was able to move back home.
During the time she was at the rehab, we didn’t know what would be next.
Would she heal?
Would she be able to get back home?
Was she at the best place to care for her needs? It’s fair to say that it was a time of uncertainty, worry, heartache for her and her family.
On the way home from work last Saturday night, John was rear ended by a car that didn’t slow down. He was rushed to the hospital and thankfully suffered no broken bones or internal damage. The car will be totaled, but can always be replaced. John did suffer a concussion and cervical strain that we pray will heal with time.
If you remember, John suffered a ruptured disc just last year at this time of the year. In fact, his birthday falls in October and we didn’t go out or do anything special because of the discomfort he was in last year. Because of that, I planned to make his favorite dinner while he was at work and then we could bring the meal to his Mother’s so we could all have dinner together. It would be celebrating his birthday, celebrating him healed from his ruptured disc, and celebrate having his Mother home.
The plans did happen, but not so much the way that I had visioned. I had wanted him to be pain free on his birthday, but life had other plans.
As I was making dinner for his birthday and thinking about what could have gone wrong, I became overwhelmed. As with any other time that life overtakes my emotions, I rely on the only one that can guide me through it – God.
I said a prayer and instead of thinking about the heartache, I was overwhelmed with gratitude.
I was overwhelmed with realizing that even in the midst of more uncertainty, blessings were all around me.
At that moment, I remembered watching my husband and his siblings hold their Mother’s hand while she was in rehab. They showed their Mother honor and respect.
I remember thinking how blessed I was to belong to this beautiful family.
I thought of my youngest son driving five hours one way to visit his grandmother while she stayed at the rehab. The smile on her face was worth it’s weight in gold as she saw him walk in her room.
I thought of the call I had to make to my son, Michael to let him know that his Dad was in an accident. He came right over without hesitation to be here for his Dad and to be there for me.
I thought of the car that was now totaled, but protected the man I love.
I thought of the well wishes and the calls that family and friends have made to let us know they are here for us.
I thought of all the beautiful flowers that are around my Mother-in-Law’s home bringing more beauty into the home she loves.
If truth be told, there will be days ahead that will fill us with anxiety. There will be doctor appointments and physical therapy. There will be changes to our schedules.
Decisions will need to be made about another car. Insurance companies will have to answer our questions and help us with the car and medical expenses.
I thought of the advice a friend shared with me. That advice was that it was easy to help someone out. It takes strength to admit that you need help.
There will be tears and most likely sleepless nights in the days ahead.
We are never sure why things happen the way they do, but it could possibly be a way to show us what is most important in life – Family, friends, and faith in God.
Maybe he gave us another beautiful opportunity to look at the blessing of seeing your husband hold his Mother’s hand while he celebrates his birthday, celebrates being alive, and celebrates his Mother being home.
My husband, John and his Mother, Carmel on his birthday – October 9, 2018
Terri Trepanier is the owner of Balanced Care Health and Supplemental Insurance and a licensed insurance consultant and broker with Associated Brokers. Licensed in both Maine and NH, her specialty is working with small businesses, individuals, and families with their health and life insurance needs. She is certified to offer health plans both on and off the exchange and is contracted with every health insurance company that offers plans in both New Hampshire and Maine. Her other passion is assisting Medicare beneficiaries with their Medicare Supplemental, Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans, and Medicare Advantage plans. Terri has seen firsthand the importance of insurance products and how they help families. Her goal with Balanced Care is to “Insure Security and Peace of Mind One Family at a Time”.