Day 49 - August 3 - Off the lines
I love the HBO mini-series "Band of Brothers". If you haven't seen it, watch it. The story of men under extreme duress, forging lasting bonds in the midst of the horror of war, is made all the more powerful by the fact that the story is true. There's a recurring theme in the show, which shows up over and over as the episodes go by - a war-weary soldier is ordered back to an aid station, or is wounded and shipped off to a hospital. In the midst of his relief to get a few minutes off of the front, or as he is hauled off by medics, he sees that his squadmates are still in the heat of the battle. Seeing this, he either returns to the battle, or he begs and pleads to be allowed to return in order to share the weight of the fight with his team. He feels he is letting his buddies down by going away, even if it's just for a hot meal and more ammunition.
This is my quandary today. I am off to Morgan Hill in an hour or so, with Joélle and Alan, and in my heart of hearts I know I am abandoning my wife and mother-in-law. It doesn't matter that this is a necessary thing, or that I can still provide prayer and moral support from home - none of that matters. What matters is that I'm bailing out and leaving Cherié to fend for herself in the most difficult situation she has ever faced, while I get the relief of going home for a few days.
Connor has been tired and lethargic all day, attributed to his medications. He also had another instance where he de-saturated and his heartrate dropped dramatically. These seemingly backward steps are becoming exceedingly frustrating, so I cast that care on top of all the others I've dumped at the foot of the cross these last seven weeks, and keep on keeping on. One change of note - today Connor began sweating all over his whole body, including his hands and feet. I had read a couple weeks ago that most SCI patients are unable to sweat below their level of injury, so I took that as an encouraging sign. Right up until I read in a different publication that abnormal sweating can be a symptom of SCI as well. I quickly got confused trying to figure out who was right, and decided to just try to trust God for Connor's health and function level.
That was a plea for prayer support, in case I was too subtle!
Love y'all.
posted by Eric Williamson @ 1:48 PM
10 Comments
Links to this post
10 Comments:
Hey Eric,
You are right! Trust God with all your cares. He loves you and will take care of each one of you. Including Cherie and Shari. This may be a good chance for you to change your surroundings and come back fresh for the days to come. It will definately be a chance for you to witness God's provisions for your family. Which is, of course, what God wants right now. Allow it to be that and continue to lean on Him.
Love ya!!
A praise song "Marvelous Light" we sang today in church reminded me of Connor's healing path we've witnessed over the past weeks ....some of the lyrics:
Your kindness wakened me,
Awakened me, from my sleep...
My dead heart now is beating,
My deepest stains now clean.
Your breath fills up my lungs.
Now I'm free. Now I'm free!
Chorus
Into marvelous light I'm running,
Out of darkness, out of shame.
By the cross You are the truth,
You are the life, You are the way.
Eric, you are not "bailing" on your wife and mother-in-law, you are leaving them in Christs care, right?
Eric,
Thanks, once again, for letting us all in on your thoughts and feelings. Your transparency creates an air of intimacy amongst the believers so we can all share in your suffering as a family. It also gives us much needed direction in the things we should be praying for...those things stated specifically and those things written "in between the lines."
As always, I'll be praying for Connor. I'm totally excited over the latest developments and their implications! Isn't it crazy how we can actually be happy and thankful for the things we normally hate? Hiccups...pain...pins and needles from a limb that has fallen asleep...sweat. I look forward with great anticipation to what God is going to do next!
I will also be praying for you while you're away from Cherie and Connor (and Sherri) these next few days. I'll be praying for your ability to concentrate on work, clarity and a sense of calm as you begin to unravel the insurance issues, restful sleep, and God's perfect peace as you take the necessary step of "getting back to business." Cherie is, likewise, in my prayers for strength, increased faith, patience and peace as she spends the next few days without her husband and daughter. What a blessing Sherri is that she can be there with Cherie all this time!
Love you guys,
Jenann
I think of your family all the time. You are always such an encouragement, even in your moments of "despair."
Your lives have been an example of trusting in our Lord. I am always amazed, especially when you are ministering to others who are hurting.
Praying for you,
Chelle
I have nothing profound to say. It's all simple and complete. Trust the Lord without ceasing, cast your cares upon Him and he will sustain you. It is a battle that will be won. We are warriors and we believe....
Dear Williamson Family,
Kinda odd how I came to your website for Conner. Our family just came back from Spirit West Coast and I wanted to find out how in the heck people get those full hook-ups sits at Laguna Seca so I googled some phrase that included Spirit West Coast and found your Craigs List posting and so on and so on. The internet is a weird thing at times.
My heart throbs for your family and Conner. I have 2 beautiful red headed boy, they are our blessing. Please know you are never alone in this. Conner is never alone. I pray that you will feel Gods hand reaching out to you in your most desparate moments and his warmth when you smile and praise Him.
I am book marking this site. We will pray for Conner and the family ever night and any other moment of prayer during the day.
Also, you had mentioned in a previous post about health insurance and reaching life time max. My husband and I are insurance agents. Depending on the company you work for, during open enrollment you may be able to transfer to an HMO that may not have lifetime max. It would be a good idea to contact your HR department to find out your options.
Romans 5:3-5
Jennifer
Jennifer@derendinger.com
You have to do, what you have to do.
brothers and sisters in wheaton, il are praying for conner and the fam. we are part of God's family and suffer with you as your heart aches for wholeness. blessings, bill, for our fam to yours
Hi Eric,
Be safe and know in your heart that you are not abandoning anyone. You have to do what needs to also be done even at this crazy time in your lives. It is unfortanate that life can't just stop and wait till all this passes but we all know that it will not. Please feel proud of yourself for being the strong and passionate man you are. Your wife loves you and knows that you are there with her even if not physically. I Love you guys and miss seeing my dear friend Cherie. xxoo.....Sara
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home