Friday, June 20, 2008

The Tin Man Has a Big Heart

My alarm just went off and I'm still feeling punky. Will stay home again today and take care of myself. The doctor was right, this is going to get worse before it gets better. Frustrating!!

This glitch reminds me once again of the years maneuvering around Kenny's illness. We learned to always have a Plan B up our sleeve because this sort of thing happened to us all the time. Take the holidays for example...Ken would be in the hospital a few days before Christmas so Plan B was to hold off our celebration until he got discharged. And more than once we had to delay leaving for vacation by a few days or so. Our boys even celebrated more than a few birthdays at Hopkins. As little kids they learned to take it all in stride. It's just the way we lived; we all got really good at being flexible. Needless to say, I'm exercising my flexibility once again.

In a strange kind of way it works out fine for me. As you may guess, I'm not very good at saying goodbye. Frankly I prefer to avoid it all together!! It's just too hard for me. Perhaps in an uncanny way, getting sick was part of a divine plan to spare me from all that emotion. Who knows. But It's true, I'd much rather slip away without any fanfare.

On the other hand, I'm already receiving good-byes in anticipation of my departure. I got an e-mail yesterday from a guy at work. From now on I'm calling him "Tin Man," because he's a big ole guy with a big ole heart. And he's even from Kansas! I will really miss him. He's been a big support to me through all my grief. He sent me a note of encouragement and enclosed this poem. It made me cry. I've sure met some kind people here...and I'll miss them so much.

Even still...There's no place like home...right Mom?



I said a prayer for you today.

I hope you didn't mind.

I asked the Lord to comfort you

and put your tears behind.


I prayed for peace and mercy, too,

to help you through each day,

And for His loving guidance

as He leads you on your way.


You need not walk this path alone

so I prayed He'd hold your hand,

and offer you some guidance

in a way you'll understand.


I asked Him for little miracles

and to bless you every day.

Keep searching for the Rainbows-

and let Him light your way.

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