So I try to keep most of this blog free of religion because I want everyone to feel comfortable reading, but I HAD to share this experience.
I'm half-way around the world from my family and I got news my sister was having an emergency C-section. This is her first child and this pregnancy hasn't been an easy one. The c-section wasn't a shock given everything. What hit me like a brick was after getting the normal baby info (7lbs 13oz, full head of brown hair, being named in honor of my grandfather Edward). I was glowing. Then less 3 minutes later a series of events took place that all but seemed like it belonged in a movie not in my family. Even as I type this, Edward sits in the NICU fighting to breathe. His sugar is low and he's not eating much. This news came in two waves and the last one was a blow. All I remember is closing myself in my room and trying to muffle my cries in a pillow without much success. Five minutes into this emotional whirlwind, a friend came in and sat down beside me; trying to get me to breathe and to get me to sort out fact and fantasy. As he was trying to distract me, my phone rang. It was the elders I had met earlier that week at the grocery store, confirming we were still on for dinner. At my friend's encouragement I said yes. Five minutes later the other set of elders called and said they had an extra couple of elders visiting, could they come too. You'd have to know me to know I LOVE feeding people; especially people who are taking time to help others. (At that moment I had no clue how much they were helping me).
I had just what I needed: something to focus on that kept me from crawling into a hole as I waited for more information about the who's, how's, what's were going on in that hospital room.
By this time the rest of the group was back from a meeting I just couldn't force my way through. One helped me build a fire and then one of our trainers came over and helped us build an AMAZING fire. With which I grilled steak and roasted potatoes on.
Dinner was good but the conversation was even better! I was feeling a ton better by the end of the meal, but I was craving ice cream. I had used the rest of the salt for dinner so I wanted to go to the store, but at the same time I didn't want to go to the store. (We all know that feeling)
Well after they washed the dishes so I wouldn't have to (which meant a lot to me because that night was gonna be a long one with the time difference--my nights in Vanuatu are days in the USA). After they left I reached out to one sister and tried for an update. No changes. The rest of the peace corps family had gone to the kava bar, but I wasn't up for that. I was sitting in the chair debating whether or not to go get ice cream, mainly it was the salt. Then a loud knock on the door!
I looked out on the porch and there was a bag with a note that made me laugh so hard I'm sure they must have heard me. It was so simple. BUT to me that night, that bag was a light in the darkness.
I will probably never see these men again but I'm so grateful they were there as my little angels and provided a spark of light and laughter on a dark day.
Whether you're religious or not, as I said on another blog, PLEASE be THAT person who finds a way to help lighten someone else's load. You never know how much impact you have on their life.
To my fellow G27 & those 7 men: thank you for helping me through a tough moment. I will always be grateful!
Until next time.
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