It’s been a traumatic 3 months, starting with my son last November, who developed a painful jaw infection accompanied by careless medical care, resulting in emergency room visits and hospitalizations for infection, onset of diabetes from pancreatitis and pending kidney failure. Over-use of steroids complicated his recovery and ability to fight the infection. those were some very tense and worrysome days, lasting into the new year. It required a kind of patience I didn’t know existed. But, we drew together as a family and prayers became a source of strength and healing.
I thought the new year was a harbinger of health, but then my 16 year old grand daughter presented with painful hands that quickly lost their use. Swelling started and medical tests showed nothing.
Then, last Monday, our 18 year old grandson (all of these are in the same family) was rushed to the emergency room with gut pain and jaundice. For the next week he underwent diagnostic ultrasound and endoscopy with gall bladder removal on Wednesday, followed by another procedure to remove more gall stones in the ducts, and finally being released from the hospital on Friday.
We all breathed a sigh of relief, only to be awakened late Friday night with news that paramedics were called in response to my grand daughter’s inability to breathe…very scary…thought to be a panic attack.
So much for the harbinger of health. More like a trip to troubles!
If I were gold would I think a crucible to be mean? A dark tomb with painful heat that reaches to the soul, and burns. Those hours I would never choose. No. Look at me-- all cluttered. I've gathered much along the way. I carry to much baggage. I want to let it go. I pray with fervor to find a way. The crucible! How ironic. The very thing that I abhor Is now my darkened prison. The unwanted firey trial Seems longer than it is. Daylight finally shoots it's glorious beam Upon my soul. My soul--it's free. The baggage gone Consumed within the fire. In weightless glory I rise And leave this crucible behind For now. Purified, changed, whole, free. I'm finally Me.
