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Can I make a wish
By sandi | April 21, 2010
Today I had several of the hardest conversations I have had in my life.
The first one happened about 5 am with my Mother. I met her in the hospital waiting room to discuss the massive heart attack my Father had just had. As I sat there with her I found it hard to process the complete situation. Anytime massive preceeds another word it carries a lot of weight and this time the weight was very heavy. My Father was already in surgery surrounded by professionals trying to save his life.
As I sat with my Mother she tried to remain calm even though every fiber of her being was on overdrive. She was so strong standing in the face of adversity. Her world was on hold, my Father was not there to hold her up. They are like peas in a pod, sure they fight and bicker, but they are each others world.
As we sat there waiting for the update on his surgery we talked. What we talked about isn’t something I can recall. The words massive heart attack were swirling around in my mind making it hard for me to process much else.
The surgery didn’t go as hoped and he is now resting in the ICU. He remains in critical condition and awaits the next surgery.
I talked to concerned family and friends today retelling each one the same news. It wasn’t easy to discuss so often, but I knew they were asking out of love and concern. These too were difficult situations but not as difficult as the ones awaiting me when I picked up my children.
I returned home to take care of the kids. As soon as I picked up Annie and Kimberly from school the questions started rolling in. Another very difficult conversation occurred as we were walking home.
How do you honestly answer your child’s questions regarding their beloved Papa without scaring them? How do you comfort them but be realistic at the same time? These are not easy questions to navigate, especially when you yourself don’t know the answers.
Later when Bill arrived back home we decided to sit them all down and discuss the situation. They were definitely concerned, their little minds trying to figure out this situation. They had dozens of questions, questions we didn’t know the answers to. We did our best to guide them through it.
As we were ending the discussion Kimberly said “tonight I am going to make a wish that Papa is all better”. If only it worked like that! Oh how I wish it did.
I remain in a state of shock. I have prayed countless times today, knowing the prayers are being heard, but not knowing how they will be answered. I am anxiously awaiting answers and clinging to hope.
Topics: Family News, Thoughts | 14 Comments »
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:54 am
((HUGS))…If I can come over and help with the kids or do anything to help…please let me know! (I just had a short hospital visit…it made me smile how strong your mom is and how wonderful she is at taking care of him!)
April 22nd, 2010 at 11:14 am
Sandi,
My heart is with you and your whole family right now. I can’t imagine having to explain that to your children and I know how painful this is for you as well. I hope that things go well and he recovers.
April 22nd, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Sandi – prayers for your whole family. I hope that everything goes smoothly through the next round of procedures. My grandmother had a massive heart attack when I was about 5ish. I do not remember a lot but I remember my mom crying – I had never seen her so broken. But I also remember comforting her. Just be honest with your kids and help them deal with their emotions and let them help you with yours. I’ll wish too that he recovers quickly.
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Big HUGS. I am so sorry. Your family is in my prayers.
April 22nd, 2010 at 3:38 pm
I’m so sorry, Sandi!
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:51 pm
Thinking of you, Bill, and your family!!!!
You are in our prayers…
April 23rd, 2010 at 5:36 am
Sandi, I am praying for your dad and your entire family.
April 23rd, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Oh Sandi, I am praying for you and your family as you wait for answers! ((HUGS)) to your mother and to you as well.
April 23rd, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Hugs to you all. Prayers, wishes, and hugs.
April 25th, 2010 at 9:51 am
I continue to pray for you and your family in this awful time. You will be called on to be the rock to support so many loved ones in the days to come. I know how hard it is to continue functioning in some semblance of normalcy. So … lean on your friends sushi buddy. Let us help in whatever way we can, because we all care so much!
April 26th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!!!
April 26th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Sandi, it is times like these that it is so hard to have a friend so far away — a friend, whom I haven’t met in person, yet we have met over and over through sharing of our hearts due to the adventure to our boys. I wish I could just drop by and hold your hand or catch some tears. I cannot fathom the pain right now and you are on my heart and mind, friend. Love to you all.
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