"Should You Go First and I Remain..."

A few weeks ago as I was staying with my dad and mom and providing care for them while they both were off-their-feet, so to speak, they were telling me about a poem they both like. I believe it is also a song. Anyway, my parents were telling me how deeply the words touch their lives as a married couple.

So, I found the full piece online and read it aloud to them on a snowy Wednesday morning, January 29, 2014. All three of us were weeping at the end. So, here's where you surrender to tears that are tender:  

Should you go first and I remain
To walk the road alone,
I'll live in memory's garden, dear,
With happy days we've known.
In spring I'll wait for roses red,
When fades the lilac blue,
In early fall, when brown leaves call
I'll catch a glimpse of you.

Should you go first and I remain
For battles to be fought,
Each thing you've touched along the way
Will be a hallowed spot.
I'll hear your voice, I'll see you smile,
Though blindly I may grope,
The memory of your helping hand
Will buoy me on with hope.

Should you go first and I remain
To finish with the scroll,
No length'ning shadows shall creep in
To make this life seem droll.
We've known so much of happiness,
We've had our cup of joy,
And memory is one gift of God
That death can not destroy.

Should you go first and I remain,
One thing I'd have you to do:
Walk slowly down that long, lone path,
For soon I'll follow you.
I'll want to know each step you take,
That I may walk the same,
For someday down that lonely road
You'll hear me call your name.

By A.K. Rowswell

Grateful

"Then, Thursday Night Came..."

Here's another update on my parents, Capt. Billy and Lady Melba.

As you know from my earlier post this week, Dad is at home now and getting along in a wheelchair with Mom's help. 

Then, Thursday night came... That's when Mom tripped backwards over the end of Dad's wheelchair and fell hard on the wood floor. We were concerned she may have messed up her recent hip replacement. However, after X-rays she broke her pelvis in two places. 

So, now they are both somewhat crippled, Dad caring for Mom from his wheelchair and Mom assisting Dad from her walker.

Can I say one thing? "A husband and a wife staying together for better or for worse over the longhaul is a beautiful thing!"

Through sacred tears last evening Dad tenderly testified: "We are unoffended in The Lord."

My brothers and I are burning up the roads between Virginia and North Carolina these days. And it's all joy, my friends, all joy!

Grateful

Note: This is my 1600th All-Time Blog Post. So glad it is wrapped in Luke 7:23 (KJV).  

Update on Capt. Billy ("Dad" to Me)

For those who are still faithfully praying for my family and are awaiting an update on my Dad's health challenges following his December 19, 2013 cancer diagnosis, in "brief" here's where Dad is:

This past Tuesday, Capt. Billy, completed his 20-day stay at the rehab home, Sailors' Snug Harbor, where his physical therapy has been coming along slowly but surely. On the same day his second round of chemotherapy resumed. So, Dad is now back at our island home place and will be transported back and forth to town for chemo treatments while his physical therapy will continue in the home. 

At his recent oncology visit, Dad's diagnosis was reinterpreted. The new understanding initially took our breath away, as the doctor said he believes Dad's diagnosis is not Stage 1, as we were told in December. The updated diagnosis is believed now to be Stage 3, maybe even Stage 4.

We finally exhaled as we remembered that our God is not at all intimidated by even Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Dad's spirit is still strong as he also continues to tenderly and genuinely encourage everyone he encounters. 

More Good News: Dad's new cancer doctor is obviously an extreme believer in Jesus. He told Dad to pray for medical wisdom from on high as he treats Dad on this Jesus-led journey. The new doctor assured our family that while he will diligently attend to Dad's physical needs, he will pray for him fervently as well. He softly said to Dad, "I will care for you like I would my own Father."

Whew... I know I've shared a lot already, so let me bring this update to a pause.

I talked with Dad yesterday (the morning after his second round of chemotherapy that lasted for nine long hours). Dad slept well that night and said he really felt good. 

And as for Mom, Lady Melba? She's surely been nearly overwhelmed a few times, but told me this powerful information yesterday: "The Lord is our Comforter and Helper." Then, she added:  "I am learning to obey these words of Jesus: 'Don't worry about tomorrow.'"

Grateful 

"Happy Anniversary" -- Cord of Three Strands

This morning I called to say "Happy Anniversary" to my dad and mom. "Happy Anniversary Captain Billy and Lady Melba." Today marks 52 years of marriage for them. I am so grateful for their passionate love for God and for one another and for the model of perseverance in their "til-death-do-us-part" real romantic, love-relationship.

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
-- Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV 1984)

Grateful for three-stranded longevity -- God, husband, and wife.
Billy and Melba's oldest son I am