The Flood Gates of Tears

By now, I know y'all are all aware of what is happening in my beloved state of Texas and while we are safe here in Dallas, the same cannot be said for the southeastern part.

The devastation is real folks. The photographs and videos you are seeing haven't been photo-shopped for dramatic purposes. Except for one or two, like the shark swimming beside the Houston highway, they are real and it is just that bad and it's not just Houston and the surrounding areas that are being impacted. This storm is reaching up into Central Texas and also the area I call home twice a year, Warrenton. These small towns are taking a beating as well.

What is also real is the people who are reaching out to help. Not just locally or from nearby towns, for they are just as deluged as Houston, but from points near and far. The local police and fire departments working 12 hour shifts and catching what little rest when they can. In the neighborhoods hit by tornadoes, neighbors helping other neighbors cover roofs, windows and clear debris. Donations of time, food, provisions, money pouring in as the water rises. Strangers bringing boats to rescue strangers trapped in homes, cars and roads. Businesses sending meals to feed the rescuers and workers.  State after state sending able bodied people to help. Americans taking care of one another. This is  the hope I cling to.

As I watch the images of the damage followed by the ones of folks living the Golden Rule, I'm overcome with emotion. I cry at the sights of the devastation and I cry at the outpouring of love that is deeper than the waters.

But then I find myself feeling anger at those who ask "why did they not get out?" and other hateful remarks. 

If they want to know why, I'll be glad to tell them.

There are many who didn't have the means to evacuate and if they did, where would they go. And once they started, how far would they need to go. I can't imagine having to make those kind of decisions or wondering how far my money would get me. 

Texans who have lived on the Gulf Coast their whole lives have ridden out many hurricanes. And they did this one, but short of having a crystal ball to consult, how could anyone have predicted what is transpiring now. Try wrapping your head around a rain prediction of 30" then add another 10-20" more to it. It's unfathomable.

Katrina taught us a valuable lesson. Do y'all remember the images of people trapped on the highways? I do and with a city as large as Houston, it would have been worse.  I talked to a friend who had driven in from Houston on Thursday before the storm made landfall and he told me it took 7 and a half hours to make it to Dallas. Folks, under normal circumstances that's a 3 1/2 hour drive!

Again, without a psychic, who could have predicted that once the storm came in that it would hover in one place? If you saw the early prediction for the storm, the weather map looked like Spaghetti Night Special at Denny's! Until Harvey hit the coast the forecasters just didn't know.

But Texans are tough. We have to be to live here. We don't get pleasant showers, but instead drought or flood. Twisters, electrical storms, thunderstorms, hurricanes, hot as hell one moment and a blue northern blows in and drops the temp 20 degrees. This is our weather. And if you were to ask a true Texan if they would live anywhere else, you'd get a firm no. We bend with the wind, but it can't and won't break us.

And if you look at the photos, you'll see we don't run from a storm. We run head-straight right into it 'cause we know when it passes there will be a rainbow waiting for us.

So to all those who don't have a helping hand to offer, but just want to point fingers, put your hands back in your pockets if that's the best you have to offer. 'Cause quite frankly we're busy down here taking care of one another and just don't have the time or inclination to mess with fools.

(Photo credit Lisa Love Harris and God's mercy)

Sunday School

I would like to welcome everyone for attending this session of Upon My Word.

I love words and it's a good thing I do since I've had to eat more than my share a time or two served with a side of crow.

I love the sound of them.  I love the ring of them.  I love the way they can make me laugh or cry...shudder or shy.

Sometime the most powerful ones are only 2 or 3 letters long.

Yes...No.

Sometimes the words get in the way.

Sometimes they can be words of wisdom.

When writing a post, I've made no secret I'm just the typist with Him providing the words and this morning was no different.

I awoke with a single word repeating in my head.  When that happens, I know it's time to sit, type and talk.

Shall we begin?

Today's word is blessing.

bless·ing

   /ˈblɛsɪŋ/ [bles-ing] noun

1. the act or words of a person who blesses.

2. a special favor, mercy, or benefit.

3. a favor or gift bestowed by God.

4. the invoking of God's favor upon a person.

5. praise; devotion; worship.

Get all that?  Good.

Let's look at this definition a little closer...shall we?

1. the act or words of a person who blesses.

Sometimes when we look at the blessings in our lives, we I fail to see the small ones.  The ones that sneak up on us, tucked sweetly in a pair of loving eyes and.  The pat on the back, the small words of encouragement, all freely given from a generous heart with nothing expected in return except feeling the joy they brought to someone else and the sound of shared laughter.

Lessons to be learned?

To work at being someone who blesses others and never being so proud as to find ourselves cheating anyone out of the opportunity to be such a blessing.  To reach the point of recognizing all the little blessings that come our way and realizing sometimes just a simple thank you really is enough.

2.  a special favor, mercy or benefit.

Blessings aren't always as obvious as a wrapped present.  Sometimes they are layered in white cotton, tied with heart strings.  Oft-times they climb out of clowns' cars with a burst of imagination, all technicolor and candy apple red.

They unfailingly do things for others...not because they're asked to or because it's expected, but because they want to...need to...have to.  It's in their genetic make-up cases.

Lessons to be learned?

To acknowledge and accept that sometimes a little help is needed.  Realizing we all...from time to time...need a leg up, a helping hand, or a caring shoulder to lean on and remembering sometimes just a simple thank you is enough.

3.  favor or gift bestowed by God.

4. the invoking of God's favor on a person.

5. praise, devotion, worship.

All the blessings in our lives, both big and small, flow from one source.  He provides the people in our lives who make us feel brave when we're scared, beautiful when we're not, and loved when we're at our most unlovable.  He sends them quietly...and sometimes raucously...into our worlds to remind us we're never truly alone.  These seemingly small blessings come with a word, a deed, a gesture to help us along in the day-to-day business of trying to get it right.  They're our business advocates, our cheerleader squad, the ones who want us to succeed and who don't even expect a thank you, but blush when offered one.

Lessons to be learned?

These guardian angels without wings sent by God are the daily reminders of His presence. To miss them is akin to missing Him.  He deserves all the praise, devotion and worship for these blessings...and most importantly...a thank you God is always enough.

I'd like to add one more thing.

I may not always make sense, but given the opportunity...and the words...I may make a lot of non-sense. And bless my soul, I promise up and down to always have the good sense to praise and thank God for each and every one of you.

From my big ol' Texas heart,

God's blessings on all y'all.

Class dismissed.

  

  

Bonfires of My Vanities

Recently, while raking and bagging leaves, it suddenly occurred to me why a season is deserving of two names---autumn and fall. For every one leaf I raked, 5 would fall and sadly I paid the price of all that bending over!

 

My muscles told me that I too had entered a new season in my life. I no longer could spring back when I toted that barge and lifted that bale. My insides might say I was still in the summer of my life, but my outsides screamed ouch! And while I'm still a long way from being in the winter of my discontent, I am no longer a spring chicken and have to admit I am an Autumn in more ways than just my color wheel.

 

I have morphed into a leaf on a tree. I know it when I look in the mirror and see a woman who's hair is fading and skin has lost it's dewy suppleness. Even my feet have wrinkles and the girls'---Mary Kate and Ashley---no longer stand at attention like good soldiers, but fall to the floor upon my standing upright!

 

Where just a few years ago, my signature seasoning was a tiny bit salty and a whole lot peppery, nowadays I'm more sagey and thyme-y.

 

Which brings me to today. With my aching back and screaming joints from going up and down a ladder in preparation for Christmas, I have to accept I no longer am middle aged, but am officially Medicare age.

 

(Upon my word, I am also officially shocked to admit it!)

 

But with each change in the season of life, comes changes in perspective and goals. Things that once mattered a great deal to me, no longer hold my attention. Besides, let's face facts. Staying focused was never one of my strong suits. Can you say "squirrel"?

 

I can't speak for Cat Daddy, but for starters one change I'm making is semi-retiring from the business of junk. And personally, I don't think there's a better time to do it than now.

 

Why you ask?

 

Simply put---the business isn't anything like it was 5 years ago.

 

(And if you find yourself wondering what's changed---just ask and I'll elaborate on another post!)

 

One change I've already made is Facebook time. I no longer hang out there much. Like me, it too has aged, but unlike me, not in a good way. Where before it was a place to reconnect with people as well as share good things., now it's morphed into something unrecognizable and down right ugly, filled with political diatribes, self-promotion and more than an unhealthy dose of self love. And quite frankly, I don't feel like I am welcomed unless I'm willing to accept the unacceptable.

 

(Note to self: Remember---not everyone using FB is guilty of the above mentioned evils, but trying to separate the wheat from the chaff is wearing thin. In other words, there still are good people on there, but getting to them takes a whole lotta scrolling!)

 

I have ventured into Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/york.deb/), but as to how long I'll be there is anybody's guess. I will admit it is fast, but it can be a little bit confusing and I don't work well with confusing! We'll see how long it takes this old dog to learn a few new tricks before giving up!

 

Another change I'm making is this blog. Before I would ramble on and on about upcoming shows, cool finds and the like. Now instead I'll be talking about whatever God throws into my stream of consciousness. Should you choose to hang around and listen to my answers to life questions, it will be a little like peeking into my psyche!

 

I truly feel He has led me back to where I started.

As 2016 slides into 2017, I am rekindling my love affair with words and together I hope we can make some beautiful---or at least loud---music together!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



When I was a little girl, I had the prettiest little pink bike complete with a basket, horn...and training wheels.  I was such a little scaredy-cat, I was quite content with those extra two wheels, but they drove my daddy nuts. He was determined I would learn to ride without them and I was just as stubborn determined I wouldn't!

 

Daddy knew I couldn't just coast along, relying on them to keep me balanced.  Not on the bike...not in life.  So-o-o...one day, out came his tool box and off came those wheels.

 

I begged, whined, cried, pouted, threw a hissy and used just about every trick in my tool box of emotions to stop him, but for once, he was firm. His mind was made up and no amount of wheedling on my part was going to change it.

 

At first, I wouldn't get on, but somehow he convinced me to. (Might have been the look of exasperation he was wearing that had something to do with it.) As I climbed aboard, he gently told me not to be scared. He'd be holding onto the back and he wouldn't let go until I felt confident.

 

I still remember vividly, pedaling as hard as my little legs could while looking back over my shoulder and yelling at him "don't let go Daddy." and him laughing back "I won't."

 

After looking back about a gazillion times and always seeing his smiling face (albeit red from exertion), I started to get the hang of it and with that came a feeling of exhilaration.  Without those two little wheels, I could go faster and believe you me, I liked it. I loved the feel of the breeze on my face and knowing that with Daddy's help, I was getting my first real taste of freedom.  So much so, that after a bit, I forgot to look behind me, so busy was I looking at the world in front of me. Imagine my surprise, when after rounding a corner of our block, I glanced back to see my daddy running to keep up, both hands clasped together over his head in a sign of triumph.

 

Of course y'all know what happened next. I crashed and burned and still have a tiny scar on my knee to prove it.

 

As Daddy knelt down to check me over, I didn't start crying. I was too busy fussing at him for letting go. Man alive, I was one mad kid! Picking me and that bike up, he told me he would never have let go if I hadn't been ready to do it on my own.  Falling was necessary to learn.

 

Looking back, I know he wasn't just talking about riding a bike, but about my future. A man of little words, he was preparing me for the bumps and bruises life hands out. But in his own quirky way, he was also letting me know he would always be there to pick me up when I fell.

 

When Daddy went to Heaven I was angry with him. Once again, he had let go when I wasn't ready for him to, but God had called him home and he had to let go. Even now I still feel the bittersweet tears welling up, but not because I'm angry. No. It's because even after 27 years, I still don't want to let go of him.

 

(Image via Pinterest)

 

 

I've wrote this for four dear friends who have recently lost their dads. While I know the grief and heartache losing a father brings, I can't begin to imagine what they're personally feeling. Everyone is different and everyone grieves in their own way and in their own time. It doesn't matter if the lost one is young or old, it cuts to the bone.  We feel cheated as the grief overwhelms, numbs the mind, and slashes our hearts into a million pieces. Pieces that one starts to believe can never be put back together.  Even if our dads could live to be as old as Methuselah, it still wouldn't be enough time with them.  We want an eternity with them.

 

And that is where hope and faith rebuilds what is broken.

 

God never lets us go...not as long as we believe in Him.

 

 He is there to comfort where man can't.

 

He holds us when our own legs can't.

 

He catches and picks us up when we fall.

 

He gives us His word time and time again through prayer and in the Bible to never forsake us. Even when the world and events say different.

 

His ways are perfect even when we don't understand or fight to accept it.

 

He promises us eternity.

 

And in that eternity,  just on the other side of the mountain, when the day comes I too must let go, I pray that Daddy will be waiting for me, his hands raised in triumph, laughing and yelling "You did it kiddo! I knew you could!"

 

Laura, Holli, Patsy and Richard...right now the pain is unbearable, the tears unstoppable.  Having been where y'all are now, I feel helpless for there are no words of comfort I can offer other than the ones God gave me for this post.

 

What I can and do offer is my prayer for y'all to feel God's love through this. This is what I pray for with all my heart.

 

I also want you each to know when God gave me these words, He also reminded me that not all the really important people make front page news. Your fathers were important. Not just because they were good fathers, but because each one of them was a unique, fine gentleman. The work and their good works...important. Their mark on the world...indelible. Mighty big men with mighty big shoes to fill. Humble men who never thought those shoes too big for a little girl to dance on or for stepping out to help another. Those footprints will never be erased. Little by little, you'll feel the pieces of your heart gathering into them, healing the ragged edges.

 

And when that day comes, you'll realize (as did I) it wasn't you he let go of. He just needed both hands to reach for his savior. 

 

I know they were as proud of you as you are of them and I know this without ever having met them. I simply look at y'all and I know.

 

I know.

(Image via Pinterest)

 

From my heart to yours.

  

Hello

It's me.
2016.
I've been waiting for you.

(Found on Pinterest)

 

I know my older sister was a little rough on you.  She thought you needed a little toughening up and I see it worked.  You look a little beat up, but all in all...not bad, not bad at all.

 

Now, I'd love to promise you that I won't be quite so hard, but you and I both know, I can't be trusted.  I won't make promises I possibly can't keep.  What I can promise is that I'll be different with my own twists and turns.

 

You'll get a new sunrise each morning. It may appear to be a sunrise you've seen before, but it isn't. Not unless you choose to gaze at it with yesterday's eyes.

 

Daily, without fail, I will give you 24 hours and you, without fail, will foolishly try to stuff some of those minutes into your back pocket for tomorrow. But it won't work. Time is fragile and after sitting on it for too long, it will crumble into tiny pieces.  So tiny in fact, that when you reach into your pocket, all you will find is dust.

 

And do I really need to remind you the 24 hours you are given are yours, but not yours?  There are obligations to be met, mundane tasks to perform, doctors' appointments to keep, the daily annoyances that is life.  What you see are distractions preventing you from doing what you really want to be doing, but in reality are the nuts and bolts of every day living. And sandwiched in between is being.

 

And that's the questions you have to ask yourself. What is being and what do you really want to do?

 

I'm going to let you mull that over for a while, but judging by your showing up here today, I think you already have part of your answer. And for that, my friend, I'm going to give you one extra day this year.

 

Use it wisely and I'll meet you here (if God permits) tomorrow with a fresh 24.

 

Sincerely,

 

2016

 

 



Praise the Child and She Will Flourish

~Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the parents the pride of the children.~ Pro. 17:6

 

 

 

Dear Graycie,

 

I'm pretty sure you thought today would never get here...the day you become a teenager. For us that love you, we selfishly wanted you to stay a baby forever, but that just wasn't possible...no matter how hard we tried.

 

You stand beautifully...all 5'8" of you. One foot poised toward young womanhood and the other firmly planted in your childhood.  Staring at you, I feel the breath leave my body as the tears roll down my cheeks.

 

For me darling, I treasure our little "talks" and since this is your 13th birthday, I thought I'd put a one-way "talk" down on paper. (I'm hoping this way I can stay focused and hopefully won't go all squirrel on you!)

 

Being a girl...and in this day and age, a teenage girl...is never easy.  Not to be a drag, but you're going to encounter haters in other girls, clueless boys that are all big talk and as much as I hate it, at least one broken heart.  If I could, I'd wrap you in saran wrap and hide you in the closet to protect you, but I've been told that's against the law. Instead I'm going to give you a little advice to help you along the way. This isn't a lecture, but for the sake of argument, let's call it the 10 Commandments for teenagers. Or at least until your 16 which more than likely will require a whole 'nother list!

 

1. You are given 365 days each year. Sounds like a lot doesn't it baby girl, but believe you me, they go fast. Always start your day off with a prayer of thanksgiving. When you think about it, every day is a birthday. Every day when you wake up, you will be given a fresh 24 hours to correct mistakes, make friends, give away a smile, and live to the fullest. Do it. Treat each day as if it were a lemon. Even when it starts out a bit sour and tart, sprinkle it with sugar and make it...and your words...sweet. Did you know a lemon has natural cleaning properties. Use it to cleanse yourself of anything that went wrong the day before. Don't dwell on yesterday or tomorrow. Take a deep breath of lemony goodness that today holds and at the end of the day don't toss out the peeling. Let it simmer and as you drift off to sleep, dream of the sweet smell of lemon cake.

 

2. Always keep your clothes on in public. Now I know right about now, those fabulous eyebrows of yours are raised as you exclaim "Nana!", but let me explain. I know you're not, nor will ever be, Lady Godiva or even Lady GaGa, but I've seen how girls dress this day. It's as if they never gave a second thought of how it looks. I've also seen how ads sell these ideas to girls of all ages. TV, movies, Internet, your friends...they all make it seem perfectly acceptable, but it's not. You want to fit in. I did. Your mom did. Your dad did. But when we say times are different, they really are. A bikini was pretty daring back in my day, but no one blinks an eye at two band aids and a piece of string. Don't let yourself fall into that trap. Confusing much? Then think for a moment how confusing it is for those clueless boys I mentioned earlier. Just keep asking yourself  as you're getting ready to go out, what's the message you want to send out. Remind yourself to never dress to the point some boy tries to read that message in Braille.

 

3. Use all your willpower to fight the urge to skip steps or take shortcuts to get to 16 faster. Trust me.

You don't want to miss anything that is going to come your way in the next few years. Just like you should never look back over your shoulder at yesterday, don't chase tomorrow. Concentrate on today. There are going to be dances, new friends to meet, first kisses, lessons to learn...all part of preparing you to face the world as an adult. Trying to skip these steps is almost like cheating and by doing it, you'll be cheating yourself out of memories...wonderful memories. Remember, growing up is like Christmas. Half the fun is the anticipation and if you peek, you only set yourself up for disappointment.

 

4. Resist tampering with God's perfection...you. I'm not saying you can't enhance your natural beauty. Law no! Goodness knows I love makeup and feel naked without it. But don't alter it so much that you don't even recognize yourself in the mirror. God knew what He was doing when He created you. Why on this green earth, do you think you could possibly improve on His work?

 

5. Try not to be a follower. This is going to be a hard one. Again, I know about wanting to fit in, but each of us were born to be standouts. The trick is finding the confidence to do that. Your friends will tell you how talented you are, your teachers how smart, your parents and family how unique, but you see, it's like this little one. You have to believe it and in yourself. Do you think all these people are fools and don't know what they're talking about? Would you say that to their face? Why then think it? Just as no one else has your fingerprints, you yourself are just that unique. Picture yourself as a snowflake. No two are alike, but each are beautiful. Floating down from Heaven, no one snowflake more beautiful than the other...just different.

 

6. Be kind. You are going to meet different people, each with their own insecurities and doubts. Be kind to them. Kindness heals. Sadly, you're also going to meet mean girls. Be kind...even if it kills you because generally there is pain behind cruelty and if you feel anything, let it be pity for their own unhappiness that they must attack your joy. Besides, it's true...you can kill someone with kindness...or at least their unkind words. If you are truly a kind person (and not just faking it to be popular), no one will ever believe ugly rumors about you. Why should they if you've sincerely always tried to help others regardless of which group they run with at school or how much money their daddy makes or who has the nicest clothes. Being kind is going to be a piece of cake for you though. Your heart makes it so.

 

7. Never choose anything you wouldn't want God or your parents to know about. Honey, in case you didn't know it, God already does, and chances are extremely good it's just a matter of time before your parents will. The truth always comes out...especially in a small town!

 

8. Following that thought, never think for one moment you can't talk to your mom and dad about anything and everything. It's okay to talk to your friends, but don't expect them to have the answers. They're too young to know anything from anywhere. But when your mom and dad decided to become parents, they knew the rules and what a big responsibility they were taking on. They knew God was entrusting them with the most precious of gifts...a child....and they took that to heart. Just as God listens to us when we pray, so do your parents. If you're unhappy tell them. If you have questions...no matter how embarrassing for you or them...ask. If you've done something wrong...confess. Will they yell and possibly cry? You better believe it, but they will also help you, give you direction, and never stop loving you. If you think it's hard for you, put yourself for a moment in their shoes. All the things you want for yourself, they want to give you. And when it's out of their control to give them to you, they cry. Safe, happy and healthy...that's what they want for you. Trust them. I promise you up and down...they'll never abandon you. They love you too much.

 

9. Honor thy father and mother. When from time to time they have to say no, never get so angry with them you say the words "I hate you!".  Even when you think you do, why would you want to hurt the two people in the world who love you more than themselves?  God tell us no when it's wrong for us and they are following Him. They have a responsibility to protect you in the best way they know how. When they say no, it's because they are doing just that. Not as punishment, but to keep you safe. Remember, they were once 13 too and with age comes wisdom. Doesn't mean you can't pout...you are only 13 after all. It means respect them. They've earned it...if for no other reason than for not yanking a pouty 13 year old bald headed!

 

10. Always put God first and seek Him daily. In all your decisions and choices, from the smallest to the biggest, seek His counsel first. There is a plan in place for your life...His plan. Follow where He leads you and listen for His voice daily. But if at a point in the journey, you happen take a wrong turn., don't give up. Not on your dreams...and never in yourself. He never will. Trust in Him only and you'll safely find your way.

 

Graycie, you are an amazing young woman, even at such a tender age. You probably knew all this without me telling you and I hope you don't think I'm an old fogey for writing it, but it's because I love you so much I had to. I hope that's okay.

 

Love forever,

 

Nana

 

P.S. I think I should add a couple of more to the list...if that's ok with you.

 

11. Have fun as only a 13 year old can and have a wonderful birthday each and every day!

 

12. Life is beautiful and so are you!  Always remember that. Tell it to yourself daily and thank God for it every morning and every night.

 

~For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."~Jer. 29

Twists in the Road

If you've visited here before you know I'm pretty transparent. I believe in truth in advertising...warts and all. And believe you me, the past weeks have shown me to be pretty warty. But the past 3 months I've been hesitant about sharing something very personal. So much so in fact, I've avoided most social media. I'm not sure why, but I think it was because I was afraid of doubt creeping into my thoughts while waiting for test results to come back. And we all know how much Satan loves to work on us when he senses even the tiniest doubt.

 

I don't know any other way to say this than to just say it.

 

Cat Daddy has renal cell carcinoma and will be having his right kidney removed in June.

 

To look at him, you'd never guess anything is wrong. In a way, it's very surreal.

 

This all began with a routine yearly exam.

 

(Do y'all remember me saying in my last post about our plans and God's plan for us? Stay with me here and you'll see His plan for Danny unfold.)

 

Our original plan for Antique Week was a space inside Zapp Hall for me and him down in Round Top at The Show. Silly us!

 

We had gone down a week ahead of time to drop off a small load at the storeroom when we got a phone call from the doctor's office. His chest X-ray had revealed shadows on his lung and the doctor wanted a second, more detailed X-ray performed. He also said that if he still couldn't tell what was going on, he wanted a CT scan done.

 

(Keep in mind, this doctor called on a Saturday...a Sat.Ur.Day! Step one.)

 

Not knowing how soon they could get these ordered and as we continued on down to Warrenton, we decided we needed to be close together during the show. If he had to go back to Dallas for tests, we both knew our Zapp family would be there for us. And they were. Between Cheryl squeezing him in at the last minute, right in front of the hall, Brande and Kevin being so understanding of our having to cancel at the last minute, and those few who knew the situation being so helpful, we were blessed.

 

(And when we had one of our top 5 shows ever, we knew we had made the right decision and were working within His will. Step two.)

 

The second X-ray came back inconclusive as well and the imaging department was able to squeeze him in for the scan shortly after we returned home from the show.

 

Then began the merry-go-round between doctor visits and imaging departments.

 

The good news was his lungs were fine. Just scarring from a previous surgery, but the scan had caught a little of his thyroid gland and the upper part of his kidney. Both showed abnormalities. Nodules in the thyroid and a possible cyst in the kidney. Dr. Gomez then ordered a sonogram to be done on his kidney to determine what was going on. He felt the thyroid could wait, but the kidney needed to be addressed PDQ.

 

(Most kidney cysts and tumors go undetected and are only found either after symptoms appear (of which he had none) or during a CT scan for something else. Step 3)

 

The sonogram revealed a mass roughly the size of a baseball. At this point, his doctor scheduled him an appointment with a urologist. Dr. Shuford, the urologist, couldn't be sure if the mass was benign or malignant and ordered another CT scan to make a definitive diagnosis. He did explain what the best and worst case scenarios could be, but considering the size of it, we kind of knew what to expect.

 

(The mass was 10 cm, his kidney 12. While this sounds scary big, if the tumor had been just a little smaller, it probably would not have shown on the initial CT scan and gone undetected until symptoms appeared. Step 4)

 

This past Wednesday we went in to get the results. Yes it was renal cell, but thankfully, it had not spread into the lymph nodes. It was fully contained in the kidney and Dr. Shuford was confident once the kidney was removed, there would be no need for chemo or radiation.

 

(I keep repeating the same thing over and over to our friends and family. Not the diagnosis we wanted, but definitely the prognosis we prayed for. Step 5)

 

When we asked what sort of time-table/urgency we were looking at, he reassured us it didn't have to be done immediately then asked what we had in mind.  Please don't think us crazy, but we had really wanted to take a short vacation to Tennessee. Of course that was before all this and we were prepared to do as the doctor ordered. He assured us waiting a few weeks wasn't going to change anything, but he wouldn't want us putting it off for six months! And then said "Go!"

 

(I don't know if that's the direction we'll head or not. God's been steering our course since the get-go and we'll continue to go with His perfect plan for us. Step 6)

 

I know this is a long post...even for me...but I also know we wouldn't be where we are now without God's grace. He has surrounded us with the most loving and positive people. They have covered Danny with their love and prayers. I can't help but believe that one of the ways God speaks to us is through the folks He plants in our lives...both friends and family. Their gentle touch and hugs, His. Their words of encouragement and hope, His. Their compassion...all gifts from Him that they freely share. I cannot thank them enough for their unshakable loyalty to us by their quietly respecting our privacy while keeping us in their prayers. I thank God Almighty for each of them every single day. Knowing they are there, only a phone call away, gives me a peace that cannot be measured nor bought.

 

In all things, God will be and should be glorified. That is why I'm writing this post. From the start of this adventure back in March until now, God has had His hands on Danny. We aren't promised a perfect existence. We lost that with the first bite of the forbidden fruit. But what we are promised is He will never forsake us. I am most beholden and I will praise Him and His mighty name...I AM...with every breath I take.