Working in a skilled nursing/rehabilitation center, I often read referrals for patients with very tragic stories. You might be surprised at how many of my patients are not elective surgery hips and knees but unexpected events that leave perfectly healthy- and often young- people looking at how they are going to find the strength to move forward. As I read these referrals I often think about what if that were my mother, father, husband, or even myself. I have never had the thought: “what if that was my sister?” So when my phone rang at 7am on Monday, July 22nd I had a cheery hello- not a sinking feeling. But when my dad told me that my sister Jenn was taken by ambulance I was in shock. The call continued with my dad telling me that Brian (her husband) had seen her wake up and say something before she fell to the ground and could not move her right side. I took in the information and hung up the phone. I started making the lunches for my 4 and 6 year old but suddenly started crying. They both came over to me and started hugging me. Julia, 6yrs old, said “Mommy, remember when my fish died? I think we should say a prayer.” And right there on my kitchen floor, leaning against the refrigerator which was still open we sat and prayed. Julia led the prayer with “Dear God, please make Auntie Jenn wake up. I love her and I love Jessica. Amen.” After the prayer ended, I immediately called Rev. Suzannah. I knew that was what we needed- prayers. The emails, the text messages, the phone calls and the prayers that followed that day got my sister and I through a 5 and a half hour brain surgery and news from the doctors that Jenn had actually suffered an AVM rupture on the left side of her brain which was affecting the right side of her body. In the days and weeks that followed the community support, continued (including care packages to Jenn from several parishioners).
At a moment when I could not catch my own breath through my tears, my 6 year old led me in prayer. She did the only thing she knew how to do. She had faith when I wasn’t sure if I had faith. That is what is important about the St. Paul’s family. Whether it is my own child or another member of the Church, St. Paul’s provides a community of people with faith. In my everyday life, I am absolutely certain that I have faith and I am sure you are too. But when something happens that is unexpected and you don’t know how to react, St. Paul’s community will ensure that you are reminded of this faith through all of their faith.
At a moment when I could not catch my own breath through my tears, my 6 year old led me in prayer. She did the only thing she knew how to do. She had faith when I wasn’t sure if I had faith. That is what is important about the St. Paul’s family. Whether it is my own child or another member of the Church, St. Paul’s provides a community of people with faith. In my everyday life, I am absolutely certain that I have faith and I am sure you are too. But when something happens that is unexpected and you don’t know how to react, St. Paul’s community will ensure that you are reminded of this faith through all of their faith.