My Heart Hurts

 My mind is all over the place and I don't know where to start.  My sister-in-law has been dealing with health issues for years.  She recently had multiple Strokes and is in Intensive Care right now.  I went to see her last Thursday and she had an IV and was very agitated and disoriented.  We were able to have a few conversations.  Fast forward to today, she is hooked up to all types of machines, and they have this thing wrapped around her head to monitor brain activity.  It was so hard to see her like that. I couldn't help but cry.  I prayed for her and spoke over her and then started thinking about my brother and her grown kids and grandkids.

My sister-in-law married my brother when I was 5 years old.  I was told that I didn't take too well to her as she took all of my brother's time. I was told that they took me everywhere when I was a kid.  

I can't say that I am close to my sister-in-law.  I love her as she has been in my family for over 45 years but there was such an age gap and we didn't have anything in common so we didn't hang out outside of family gatherings.  She did give me the 4 best gifts anyone could ever give me and that was my 2 nieces and 2 nephews.  I loved those kids so much, I still do. I would come to Delaware on a Friday evening from Southern Maryland, pick them up, and bring them home on Sunday.  I loved spending time with them.  

I will forever be grateful to Debbie my sister-in-law for the outstanding care she gave my mom when she was so ill. Doris Jean loved her so much. When Debbie wasn't ill she loved taking care of those who couldn't take care of themselves. She took care of her own mother for years when she became unable to take care of herself.  Nothing phased Debbie, nothing was too much when taking care of others. 

Debbie is rough around the edges as was her mother as was her grandmother.  We all make mistakes as parents and I know Debbie is aware of hers.  I know she loves her family dearly but couldn't always find the words to tell them. I was so happy and proud of my nephews and nieces for coming together and visiting their mom last night as a family.  Getting everyone together is rare these days.

The next couple of days are crucial to know what the future holds for Debbie. It is literally a waiting game right now.  Tomorrow when you gather around your table to give thanks, appreciate and thank those that you love and tell them every single day as we truly don't know when it will be our last.  Be BOLD!