Hospitals are holy ground

I think we are up to 23 days now in the hospital and I've learned that hospitals are holy and the ground beneath them is watered with tears and blood and sorrow and joy and every other kind of grace imaginable. Day after day people are fighting to live and loved ones are standing by watching the fight. Sometimes watching the fight seems just as laborious and the anguish becomes overwhelming.

Nurses are saints, doctors are sages, and every single hospital employee is a warrior showing us how to be brave. Their ordinary is our extra extraordinary. We freak with every pin prick and they remain calm while witnessing people's most intimate moments, people's last breaths, people's poop, people's pain, people's fright. It's humbling and it is amazing.

I thank God for medical professionals because it takes an anointed and holy person to take care of others like they do. God bless Grandma and ease her pain and suffering.

Faith Tested

I went to an amazing funeral yesterday and, as is often the case with funerals, my own faith was tested. It was standing room only with 12+ priests concelebrating and every single surviving family member had a part because every single surviving family member practices their faith. That was the astounding part. Her legacy is OHANA because no one was left behind or forgotten. What a strong testament of Mary's faith as shown and reflected in her family's faith. If only we all could be a reflection of the Father's love the way this family was a reflection of their mother's love.

MY faith was challenged because I'm not sure I will be survived by that kind of legacy and it makes it even harder since I do not have children or even nieces and nephews. My faith legacy will have to be in the people that I meet and befriend and that was a pretty sobering thought. I know that God is working through me (I'd be really dumb and self absorbed if I didn't know it), but is my own personal faith/TRUST in God so very evident that it overflows and pours out so abundantly on the people who are close to me? Or do the people who are close to me, get the worst of me and somehow strangers get my best? I simply do not know. But Mary Sperrazzo's funeral made me want to become a better person, friend, sister, daughter, cousin, and Christian.

I have been blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people like Mary and her family and I only hope that I can be a ray of light to others like they have been to me. Tests are great because they teach me what I don't know yet and what I need to study in order to pass it the next time. May my faith be witnessed in my every word and action so that others will see Christ working through me and then we can all party in heaven together!

The day she discovers her wings, she knows there'll be no stopping her.

Grandma has been in the hospital for about 16 days now. She has been to hell and back, and stays stuck in a purgatory of some sort. She is just so very weak and tired. Each day brings a new challenge and every challenge is more and more tiring. It's hard for her to keep wanting to do it and it's hard for us to keep encouraging her to keep wanting to do it. 

Our essence has been stripped down to a thin thin veil and we need a spiritual boost. We are not yet defeated or close to defeat, but we are in need of prayer, courage, light, and triumph. Even though this phrase is completely overused right now, I will risk being cliche: "Keep Calm and Carry On." 

The minute grandma can physically get up out of bed, look out world, Velma is back and ready to rumble!! 

P.S. I am really going to try and post more regularly in this dang blog! We shall see if that actually happens. 

"I can do small things with great love."