Our Journey

   Ever had one of those really long days that should make you grumble but you can't bring yourself to it? My brother had surgery today for pancreatic cancer!  I went to work really early for awhile then straight to the hospital to begin the journey of his healing. The journey of his healing.........my mind won't let me frame it any other way. Sixteen hours later I pulled into my driveway, exhausted and drained.  We spent most of those 16 hours waiting on others for news or direction. Nothing was in my control except the way I responded to the circumstances. I chose to look at the good.
   My family has been on these journeys so many times, some happy, some heartbreaking. We make them together. We gather in hospital waiting rooms and we laugh, we cry, we encourage, and we cajole. Today we picked on the oldest of the boys. His daughter pointed out that he needs a colonoscopy and we took it from there. We badgered him unmercifully right up to the point of scheduling it for him. All the while, the youngest of the boys was unconciously trusting his life to a man with a knife and God with a plan.
   The chaos of our circumstances is dimmed by the laughter, predictability and familiarity of family. I am amazed by how much love I feel from them and how much we enjoy each other's company. Our personalities and characteristics are so different but our connection is strong and deep. We have our parents to thank for that.  Today was a good day because my brother went through the procedures exactly as we had hoped and the news was the best we could expect.  The remainder of this journey, my brother's healing, will be what it is.  Whatever it is and whatever the next one, we will make then together.