Second Chances

Twenty-seven years ago found me in some dark, hard places of life. Having recently been widowed, and with my mother suffering in another state with the worst stages of her cancer, I felt so alone. With the loss of my husband, I had given up hope of ever having a family, and now this: my brother was diagnosed with lymphoma and a very grim prognosis. But,

The point of walking with God

is to

keep on walking

Fast forward two years!

I met my future husband and, in the middle of that budding relationship, learned that my brother was a good candidate for a bone marrow transplant! Great news!

And even better news: I'm the perfect candidate to be his donor!

July 5, 1987 - After my sad good-byes to Jay, off I go from Dallas to Seattle, where the transplant would take place. My brother and his wife, Susan, along with their 2 year old toddler, Chase, had traveled there on a road trip a few days before from Tulsa, Oklahoma and met me at the airport.

What I remember that day: It was cloudy and, brrrrr, 57 degrees. 

Chase had a flower to present to me, and, after driving around Seattle, I saw the apartment where we would live, along with other residents in the building who were experiencing the same process.

Phil and Suz at our little apartment in Seattle

The magnitude of all this is too much for this little blog. And, after pondering it the last few days, it would require many pages to tell it all. But what stands out is that every time we turned around, God was hearing the prayers of many and doing something wonderful for our little family far from home.

"It was the worst of times - it was the best of times." It was a scary time for all of us, and the loved ones we left at home, but we took time to enjoy our stay in Seattle and explore the great Northwest before the transplant process would take place. We had some fun seeing the sights.

Chase checking out the gorge

Jay and I on Mopeds

The Real Journey Begins

Bone marrow transplants are pretty common these days,

and I don't know the current statistics for survival, but I do know that too often,

we would return to our little apartment building to see a family packing up and leaving Seattle.

Some departed with great enthusiasm about their return.
For many who left, they would be returning home with one less family member.

Family, Friends, Church ... we experienced one blessing after another throughout this valley.

The Day of Release

Freedom ... and Reunion with Susan and Chase

Thankfully, my brother's transplant was a success and he is still around and doing fantastic.

To our dismay, our precious Mother left this world while we were there. We know she is with the Lord and rejoiced at her graduation, but still ...

Second chances: my brother got one in life,

and he and Susan just celebrated 35 years of marriage.

Don't they look even better these days?

Their son Chase is now a Captain in the U. S. Army and training for Special Ops.

Me, the one who so desperately wanted to give life finally had the opportunity to be an instrument in God's hands to give life to my dear brother, Phil.

Phil, Susan and Chase

Two very fine men

So much to give thanks for. Thank You, Father. You are great!

You really do miracles so great! There is no one else like You.

The End of the Story? No.

Married to Dear Heart Jay that year,

and along with that came Sara and Jason.

My blessings. :-) My family.

The family God has blessed me with.
Not the greatest picture,
but you get the picture.