Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

Hello friends.

I hope that you are well.

They came in on Friday. Two sisters and their husbands. They brought bad news with them. Their father Mr Bernie, was dying at Emory Hospital. I know their father and mother. They have been married for 25 years. They are both on SSI. They come to the Co-op themselves and I have grown to love them both.
Mr Bernie had been waiting on approval for surgery on his heart. The approval came too late and now it is too risky to operate on his weakened and frail body. My own heart broke.
Due to financial hardship, Mr. Bernie's life insurance had lapsed in recent months. There is no money to bury him. I ached for this family.

Praise God for His angels. After several phone calls, we discovered that DFACS will bury Mr. Bernie. A pine box. A local cemetery.

Tears of relief began to flow. The sisters left the Co-op to go see the cemetery and report back to their mama, who has not left Mr. Bernie's side.

I can picture all too well the scene. Emory Hospital. Visits from the Palliative Care team, who are there to help you make those decisions that no one wants to make. I can picture the room where Mr. Bernie lays. Less that 6 months ago, my own sweet father lay in that same hospital. My own daddy lay in the room next door to where Mr. Bernie lays tonight. That same care team was there to help us to make those decisions that we did not want to make. The beeps of the machines that sustain life. The compassion on the faces of the staff. The searing pain.

I gave the sisters my box of tissue, packed a snack bag for the waiting room, and provided much needed gas cards. (Thank you to all who donate Kroger and Walmart gift cards that can be used to purchase gas)

They left and took with them a piece of my heart. As I continue to grieve over my loss, the Lord continues to heal and love. The Lord continues to stretch me and show me His love for others. I am Blessed beyond words. And it is clear that God intends for me to use everything I have to reach out to others in His name. Everything. Even my pain.

Praise God.