Here are a few things you should probably know about me:
Fact #1: I hate surgery. A lot. Even if it is something as routine and normal as getting wisdom teeth out. I hate the idea of being put under and cut open.
Fact #2: I worry too much. I know this, and I get teased for it. I will admit that my worrying has come in handy in some situations, but honestly it causes me a lot of grief.
Fact #3: My family is so important to me, and anything that upsets them upsets me. It's hard for me to see any of my family members to go through something difficult and me being able to do relatively nothing.
So this last week was interesting because my sister had to get thyroid surgery (Fact #1 and #3), many of my family members were sick (Fact #3) and I had to get my wisdom teeth out (Fact #1). All of this was causing a lot of worry and stress, as you may have guessed from Fact #2.
Let me start off with the ending and tell you all that everything went great with all surgeries and family illnesses are on the mend. But that doesn't mean that I wasn't close to freaking out last week, and that doesn't minimize the positive impact that the people around me had. Honestly, I was blessed with so many tender mercies that it made last week a lot easier to handle. Let me just name a few.
1) On the day of my sister's surgery, I was nervous and scared. I felt bad that I couldn't be there, and I was praying that everything would be fine. On my way out of work, I ran into a friend and we ended up talking for about a half hour until he had to leave. Our conversation was so light and happy that it allowed me to forget my stress and have a more positive outlook. He had no idea about my sister's surgery, but it didn't matter. His presence and conversation was just what I needed right then.
2) The night before my wisdom teeth surgery it seemed like all heck broke loose. I was talking with my roommate about it, and I had everything under control. Until I started to cry. She gave me a hug, and told me that everything would be fine. Later, we went to McDonald's and got some comfort food. Thank goodness for people like that.
3) The day of my surgery, I got a lot of texts from my friends and roommates. They just wanted to check in, make sure I was doing okay, and congratulate me on doing something they knew would be hard for me. Even though something like this probably wouldn't have been a big deal for them, they knew it was for me and offered kind words and thoughts and prayers. I always forget how much comfort something as small as a text can bring, but I was reminded this week.
4) I have a rockin' family that has constantly checked in to make sure I'm doing okay even though they've had their own stuff to worry about. For example, my sister (the one who got thyroid surgery) spent a considerable amount of time assuaging my fears. In turn, I've tried to be a support for her as she has gone through her own trials.
5) I've been staying with my brother and sister-in-law and they have been so good to me. Making sure I'm taken care of, cooking easy-to-chew meals, watching my favorite shows and movies, and helping me stay on top of my medicine. I'm so grateful that they've opened their home to me and that they have made me feel comfortable and safe. They've been great.
Get the picture? Through all of this, I've never been alone. There have been so many people willing to extend a hand, a word, or prayer to help me through. And most of these people did these things unknowingly. They were just being good friends, but little did they know that it was exactly what I needed.
But there is one person who always knows exactly what I need. And whenever someone touches my life, I know that they were placed there for me by God. He is aware of our situations and knows just what we need to hear or who we need to see. So whenever it seems like God isn't there or doesn't care, take a look at the people around you. Most of the time, you'll find a multitude of earthly angels.
Fact #1: I hate surgery. A lot. Even if it is something as routine and normal as getting wisdom teeth out. I hate the idea of being put under and cut open.
Fact #2: I worry too much. I know this, and I get teased for it. I will admit that my worrying has come in handy in some situations, but honestly it causes me a lot of grief.
Fact #3: My family is so important to me, and anything that upsets them upsets me. It's hard for me to see any of my family members to go through something difficult and me being able to do relatively nothing.
So this last week was interesting because my sister had to get thyroid surgery (Fact #1 and #3), many of my family members were sick (Fact #3) and I had to get my wisdom teeth out (Fact #1). All of this was causing a lot of worry and stress, as you may have guessed from Fact #2.
Let me start off with the ending and tell you all that everything went great with all surgeries and family illnesses are on the mend. But that doesn't mean that I wasn't close to freaking out last week, and that doesn't minimize the positive impact that the people around me had. Honestly, I was blessed with so many tender mercies that it made last week a lot easier to handle. Let me just name a few.
1) On the day of my sister's surgery, I was nervous and scared. I felt bad that I couldn't be there, and I was praying that everything would be fine. On my way out of work, I ran into a friend and we ended up talking for about a half hour until he had to leave. Our conversation was so light and happy that it allowed me to forget my stress and have a more positive outlook. He had no idea about my sister's surgery, but it didn't matter. His presence and conversation was just what I needed right then.
2) The night before my wisdom teeth surgery it seemed like all heck broke loose. I was talking with my roommate about it, and I had everything under control. Until I started to cry. She gave me a hug, and told me that everything would be fine. Later, we went to McDonald's and got some comfort food. Thank goodness for people like that.
3) The day of my surgery, I got a lot of texts from my friends and roommates. They just wanted to check in, make sure I was doing okay, and congratulate me on doing something they knew would be hard for me. Even though something like this probably wouldn't have been a big deal for them, they knew it was for me and offered kind words and thoughts and prayers. I always forget how much comfort something as small as a text can bring, but I was reminded this week.
4) I have a rockin' family that has constantly checked in to make sure I'm doing okay even though they've had their own stuff to worry about. For example, my sister (the one who got thyroid surgery) spent a considerable amount of time assuaging my fears. In turn, I've tried to be a support for her as she has gone through her own trials.
5) I've been staying with my brother and sister-in-law and they have been so good to me. Making sure I'm taken care of, cooking easy-to-chew meals, watching my favorite shows and movies, and helping me stay on top of my medicine. I'm so grateful that they've opened their home to me and that they have made me feel comfortable and safe. They've been great.
Get the picture? Through all of this, I've never been alone. There have been so many people willing to extend a hand, a word, or prayer to help me through. And most of these people did these things unknowingly. They were just being good friends, but little did they know that it was exactly what I needed.
But there is one person who always knows exactly what I need. And whenever someone touches my life, I know that they were placed there for me by God. He is aware of our situations and knows just what we need to hear or who we need to see. So whenever it seems like God isn't there or doesn't care, take a look at the people around you. Most of the time, you'll find a multitude of earthly angels.
"God does notice us, and He watches over us."
-- Spencer W. Kimball --
-- Spencer W. Kimball --