Lately I’ve been asked to accompany a variety of friends to the Biggest Little City to the West for medical appointments. When asked, I’m happy to oblige. Heaven only knows when it’ll be my turn to seek medical help. It’s wasn’t my turn today, so I was free to help.
This, my dearest best friend is someone so special to me, my heart would break if the outcome of any of these tests were anything but perfect. Although a little more mature than me, this person is the picture of health, energy, and a positive heart. For any problem, this person knows a perfect solution can surely be found. This person is positivity cloaked in human form. A real optimist and a most wonderful friend.
I wasn’t able to tell if these tests were a worry to my friend, but they certainly have been worrying me. For those of you that are new readers, let me fill you in. I lost my husband, VST, in April, 2020 to a rare cancer called Cholangiocarcinoma. In regular English, this is a cancer that attacks the bile ducts. It’s quick, violent, and deadly. VST’s battle lasted only 9 weeks. He was fine until he was dead, with very little in between.
The first test the doctor ordered for VST was an echo-cardiogram to rule out heart disease when fluid began to accumulate in his belly. If only it would have been caused by a treatable disease. For VST, it wasn’t.
When my friend told me of the two tests, a lung CT and an ultrasound right down the road from another hospital that I know all too well, it did give me cause for pause. As a new patient, these tests were ordered to establish baseline results. “Nothing to worry about,” said my friend. My mind had long since left the barn on that one. I’ve been worried ever since I found out about yesterday’s scans.
The waiting room was pristine and pleasant. The television show was about a young veterinarian working in the Yukon. She was busy treating coyotes and musk oxen. I was full of worry.
Not wanting to sit with anyone while my friend went in for the scans, I chose a seat-for-one next to a charging station. I would close my eyes and pray quietly, hoping no one would want to strike up a conversation about their own illnesses and ailments.
Taking a seat in the corner, I looked to the side only to be shocked at what I saw. There, all alone, lay one tiny pamphlet. On the cover of the pamphlet was the word, “Joy”. My name. Under that, the words read “How to Find Happiness in Everyday Living.” My friend had already gone back for testing. There was no one to show or tell. I picked up the booklet and began to read.
It had already been earmarked for me. The booklet fell open to page 12.
“Give God Your Worries”
Plain.
And.
Simple.
“Give God Your Worries.”
Just like that, I felt better. Lighter. Happier. Amazed that such a small little miracle had been waiting there, just for me. A reminder. We need to Let Go and Let God when life gets to be a little too overwhelming.
I’ll share the final paragraph of the earmarked chapter. As if written to me and placed for me to find yesterday morning, I hope that it helps you remember something. At our loneliest times, when it seems we are all alone, we most certainly are not.
“So, don’t be anxious. Don’t fret so much. Don’t struggle so hard. Do the very best you can about everything; then, having done your best, don’t nervously do it over again. Leave the results to the Lord. He is all wise, all knowing, and all powerful. And, he loves you very much.” (Guideposts Outreach — From the Writings of Norman Vincent Peale)
Miracles. They are everywhere. Little bits of truth for us to discover, even in a place as dark as a waiting room in a major hospital in the Biggest Little City just to the west of a dusty little wide spot in the road off the interstate on the high desert plains of Northwestern Nevada. The place I love and call Home.
While having a wonderful weekend, keep watching for miracles. I promise. They are everywhere!
I’ll be back Monday.