Getting Back to Normal

The last few weeks have been some tough ones. The boys and I (excluding Eric) have had a rough go with the flu/cold season. Wesley had two rounds of ear infections about a month apart. He seems to be on the mend now after two courses of antibiotics. Then a couple weeks ago I came down with the flu. This thing just had me laid out for about a solid seven days. It was the worst. I was so thankful that Eric had a day off on the day I felt the worst. I don't even think I hardly left the bed. I spent most of the day sleeping. Amazing how God provides for our needs like that! Then Austin seemed to catch either a cold or a flu. Then he seemed better for a few says and then he just woke up feeling awful. So off to the doctor we went, only to find out he had bronchitis!! He missed a whole bunch of days of school, but he finally seems to be back to his old energetic self. I knew that as soon as he had energy to be fighting with his brother that meant he was on the mend!! Things are returning to normal. In the midst of all the illness going on at our house, my grandfather's health was declining. I had no idea we would be losing him this past Wednesday. I knew he was frail, but I guess I really wasn't prepared that it would happen so quickly. He was pretty miserable the last couple of weeks, so I'm relieved that his suffering has ended. The strange part was that I was together with the girls in my bible study on Tuesday night and we specifically prayed for him and for my family about the situation. It was the very next morning that he passed away. I had peace about it when I heard the news. A peace that I know only came from God. I scrambled through the morning, thinking we would make the drive to Florida to attend the funeral. Then I found out from my parents that the arrangements had been made to take place very quickly. It was my grandmother's wishes to get it done quickly and God had provided funeral services that fit into my grandmother's tight budget. I was really disappointed and sad that this would not give us time to travel to FL to be with family. At first, I really struggled with it. But, then I had an overwhelming sense of peace that things were in God's hands. If God had intended for us to get to Florida for the funeral then he would have made a way for it to happen. I think I had a deeper peace in my heart after talking to my father on Wednesday night. I won't say that didn't still long to go to Florida, but I just had this reassurance that I knew in my heart that making the trip was just not meant to be. Being that Austin had been fairly sick, a big trip like that would not have been easy on him. Eric had some major things going on a work, so that was another obstacle. Then another big factor would have been the expense of the trip on our budget. Another situation where it was so evident to me that God was at work, was just the timing of everything. Eric had previously scheduled his day off for Wednesday. It was such a huge blessing that on the day of my grandfather's passing it was a day Eric was already home. He was so encouraging to me. He took me out to breakfast. He cooked dinner. He was even frantically trying to see if he could get his work stuff resolved so that we could travel to Florida. I am so blessed to have Eric in my life. God is so good and he knew exactly what was best for us. Even if at first I couldn't see it, God was working everything out just way it was supposed to be. I am also thankful that I did get to vist my grandfather in November. I had the chance to chat with him and give him one last hug. That makes things just a bit easier. I was thinking tonight about what I remember the most about my grandfather. I remember when I was little he always liked to have a cup of coffee whenever he came for a visit. Then as I got older, I remember being excited about getting to fix him a cup of coffee. Guess that playing hostess is just one of those things that I've always liked to do, even at an early age!! Is that by God's design? I also remember my grandfather giving me tickley kisses with his whiskers. His favorite line saying, "Give me some sugar!" And how can I ever forget him pulling out his false teeth for me!! I also remember this really neat toy he picked up for us....at least I think he was the one....it was this little hand held toy almost like a viewmaster that you put cartridges in and it had a handle that you could wind and it showed little black and white disney cartoons of Mickey Mouse. I'm thankful that I have these nice memories of my childhood with my grandfather. I pray that my father and my grandmother are coping with their loss. Most of all, I wish I could be with them in person to give them hugs. For now, my prayers and phone calls will have to be enough.