This is a year that holds so much to be thankful for. I started off the year writing down 3 things every day that I am thankful for. The list got so long because every day I had some small thing or sometimes some big thing that I was grateful for. My children and their partners, my family and my friends were pretty easy to come up with. I am so grateful to be surrounded by such love whether close by or from a distance, they are always there. Then as I kept writing day after day, I realized there is so much I take for granted, that I am truly grateful for - my home, my car, my job, my neighbors, freedom, birthdays, health, good food, people who grow it, places that sell it, sunshine, coffee, surgeons, physiotherapists, and other alternate medical professionals, even Facebook, email, cellphones and the internet, books, music, and so much more. Later on I found myself grateful for midwives, doulas, nurses, doctors, who brought my grandson safely into this world for my daughter and son in law, who welcomed their long awaited baby. Grateful my son got his long awaited transfer to Winnipeg. Thank you God, for watching over my family. Thank you for creating people with gifts and talents that give us entertainment, who heal us, who write books and music, who build vehicles and homes, who keep us connected and give us other “luxuries” to enjoy. Thank you for the gifts and talents you have given each one of us, and may we use those gifts to make our and someone else’s world a little better. Forever grateful!
My beautiful grandson Ashar was born on June 18, 2015. When my daughter Mandy got pregnant she was just shy of her 39th birthday. She was a very healthy, active, and energetic woman. She enjoyed life and all it had to offer. She and her husband Mike were minimalists and very into a healthy, natural lifestyle. So when they got pregnant, they wanted to ensure that this baby came into the world in the most natural way possible - midwives, doula, home birth, no drugs. I admire that about these two. All through her pregnancy, they researched everything, from the best foods to eat while pregnant (even though she soon discovered that nausea keeps her from even feeling like eating, but she persevered and did what was good for the baby), to things like ultra sounds, breast feeding, co-sleeping and vaccinations; to mention a few.
At 10 days past her due date, she visited the midwife's office for her weekly visit. The midwife suggested that she visit the hospital for an ultra sound. I prayed at that time, that Mandy would be able to do the home birth, but also asked that he direct her to whatever is safe for the baby. Things seemed fine, but she invited her back two days later. She sent her back to the hospital and this time, the doctor suggested inducing. Her amniotic fluid was low. Mandy was hurt and upset, because this was not the way she wanted to deliver her baby into the world. But that worry soon turned to concern for the baby and realized she had to do what was best for the baby. Soon after the inducing started Mandy went into hard labor. It was relentless and very tough on her for 4 hours. There was very little break in between the contractions. It was hard for me to watch my daughter go through so much pain, even though I knew this is normal. I wanted so badly to take the pain away from her. I kept praying to God that he would relieve her, but keep the baby safe. After the 4 hours were up, the nurses encouraged Mandy to have an epidural to relieve the pain. She wouldn't be able to push that baby out at this point, because she was so exhausted. She consented. They had a heart monitor on the baby and a blood pressure monitor on her and kept watch on her for another 20 hours. All along they kept saying the baby was fine and "happy", but as time went on they wondered why he wasn't coming out. I kept praying and praying for God to cradle the baby in His hands and keep him safe. (We didn't know it was a boy) One doctor came in and did an exam and said she could feel something on the baby's head and thought it was the cord. But quickly recanted, ( I think, when they saw the worried look on Mandy and Mike's faces) and said maybe it was the baby's hair or possibly a large vein. I remember taking my Bible and going down to the cafeteria, and just sat there and prayed and prayed and cried out to God for at least 2 hours. I prayed that He had this little baby in the palm of His hands, safe and secure. Finally after 24 hours of labor, the doctor came in and said there was no progress and the next step is cesarean. Again, Mandy cried as this was now so far from a natural birth than ever. But for the safety of the baby, they very quickly consented. About 45 minutes later, my little grandson arrived in this world, safe and sound as if nothing had happened. He seemed so content and "happy" just like the nurses had said. And there was no cord wrapped around him or on his head! It was right where it was supposed to be. The reason that she couldn't deliver is because her pelvis wouldn't open. I cried when the midwife came and told us who were waiting patiently that the baby was born. I cried and thanked God for taking care of my little girl and her baby boy. I know in my heart that He was there all along. And that He was holding him so he was happy and safe. I have never prayed so much in my life. But for over 25 hours I did, and I needed Him more than ever. I am so grateful for all He does in my life and in my kids lives. I pray for them each and every day, that they are safe in the arms of God. Safe in the arms of Love. Because I can't be everywhere my kids are or where my grandchild is, it gives me peace to know that God is. I believe in the Power of Prayer. My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Psalm 4:1 Answer me when I call to you, Oh my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. I had been praying for a long time for a job and a move to Toronto. I couldn't figure out what my purpose was here in Lindsay and I wanted desperately to be in Toronto. I kept searching for opportunities in my company. I set up job shadow opportunities in one department. Even met with a manager who seemed to be impressed with my skills and experience. I met with another manager from another department and talked about a mentorship relationship. A few weeks had gone by and I hadn't heard from either one of them. I found out later that there were subsequently a lot of lay-offs in both of those areas. Good thing I didn't get a job there, otherwise, being the most recent one in, I probably would have been the first to go.
I kept searching and connecting with people and nothing was coming up. I had made up my mind that I didn't want to stay in the area that I was in. I was tired of the chaos and the stress and just needed something a little less so. So I started my search outside the company. Even if it meant lower pay, I thought it would be better than what I am doing. Still, my search came up empty. A couple of years ago, my daughter and son-in-law had acquired a basement suite of a house they live in, that they wanted to use as office space. Then they got pregnant, and after my grandson was born, they decided that it would be great to have me in that suite and my daughter would find office space somewhere else. This was great to now have secured a place to live, but I needed a job. One day I was reading my Bible about how Elijah had prayed earnestly for rain to stop and then prayed again for it to start again. God answered his prayer. So I thought, I need to pray earnestly. So I did. One day, when I was at work, I decided to set up a search agent, to email me all part time jobs in Toronto. I mentioned to my boss one day, that maybe I would like to go part time. The more I thought about it, the more I started to think, maybe I could still do this job, but on a part time basis. I decided to let go of control and said "God, you take over. You know the desires of my heart, but you also know what I need and what I can do. Let your will be what it is to be. I'm surrendering my life to you." One Saturday shortly after that, I was at work and a part time manager job came into my inbox and I thought, I should apply and see what comes of it. If God intends me to have it, He will make it happen. Monday was a holiday and I was off Tuesday. Wednesday, the manager of that branch and called me to just chat for a few minutes and see if we want to set up an interview. After talking to her for about 45 minutes, she offered me the job, right then and there. Through our conversation, I realized that this was a perfect fit for me. I was going to be able to do what I really enjoyed doing. God really had my best interest in mind. He knew what I needed and what He wants me to do. I have no doubt that He has bigger plans for me. This is better than I expected or even thought would ever be possible. He is beautiful beyond description. I know that. I am so grateful for all He does. He answers prayers, just not always the way we think. but even better! We just have to trust and let go and let God. I had the strangest thing happen to me this morning. I was getting ready for work when my doorbell rang. That in itself was odd, because no one ever just drops over, except my neighbor. And even she usually texts me first. So I went to the door thinking it was her and pulled back the curtain and there was this smartly dressed little old lady standing there. I thought maybe she was a volunteer canvasser so was a little hesitant. I opened the door and she introduced herself with her full name and said she just moved to Peterborough and today decided to take a drive to Lindsay. Something she has wanted to do for a long time. She told me her grandparents used to live in my house and she just had a desire to see it. She really intended to just drive by and then thought she would just see if someone was home. I decided that I had a few minutes and if she wanted to come in and take a look, I would be okay with that. When she took a peak at my stairway she said with tears in her eyes, that she spent many times just sitting on those stairs, either playing or waiting for dinner. So I invited her to take a little tour of the living and dining rooms. She teared up again when she saw that the stained glass windows were still there. I live in a century old house and she had shared with me that she is 86 years old. So we are talking at least 80 years ago. In the few minutes that she spent with me she told me about so many memories she had of her grandparents but particularly of her grandmother - The baking, the dinners, the water pump she helped her grandmother with, and so much more. She was so thrilled to be in my house, it just almost brought a tear to my eye. I learned so much about her in such a short time. And what was really weird or neat, not sure, but her late husband worked for TD Bank all his working life.
I tried to think why this happened. We had just talked last night at night life coaching group that people come into your life for a reason, a season or a life time. But then I thought maybe this isn’t about me at all. Maybe I was just there to open the door to the past to a lovely lady who was brave enough to ring my door bell. I felt good that for a few minutes I let someone go back in time and bring back some of the wonderful childhood memories of her grandparents. I’m sure there are lots of lessons in this brief encounter. One being grandparents have a big affect on grandchildren. There’s something special about being at Grandma’s house. Lots of great memories are created there, not to mention a whole lot of love. And I’m going to try to remember that while I make special memories for mine. Another one being that in my busyness getting ready for work, I was stopped in my tracks and got to spend a few minutes helping a little old lady reminisce about a simpler time. I felt like I went back there with her. And it sounded wonderful and uncomplicated. A time when you could knock on someone’s door and of course, expect it to be opened and probably tea offered. Which if I wasn’t going to work, I may have thought to ask her to share with me. I thought about it after that I should have given her my number for her to come back some time. But maybe that’s all it was supposed to be. I went to work in a different state of mind, that’s for sure. Interesting. |
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