I have been thinking about you two so much today, and praying as well. It's true that we don't know Carol, but our communications about the reunion, as well as the communications through this forum, have really strengthened the bonds between all of us. When I was younger I probably wouldn't have communicated with someone I didn't know all that well, but this age we're at has a way of pointing out to us what's really important.
When my father had pancreatic cancer in 2002, I was fortunate to be able to take a leave of absence from my job and go up to Orcas Island, Washington, where he lived, to help take care of him in his last several weeks. It was probably the most amazing experience of my life. Anyway, the community up there is very close and small, just a few thousand people, and there was a wonderful hospice with wonderful volunteers. My sister was there for awhile while I was getting things ready at work so I could leave for awhile. She and Barbara, my stepmother began taking turns sleeping in the bed (kingsized) at night with my father so that someone could help him if he needed help in the middle of the night. Even that took its toll on them, taking turns every other night. By the time I got back up there a couple weeks later, the hospice volunteers had begun coming every third night (one at a time) to give Barbara and Susan a break at night so that they each got two nights of uninterrupted rest. When I arrived, Susan went back home, and the volunteers continued to come and kept coming every third night until a couple nights before Daddy died. Each morning when each person got ready to leave, he or she would tell me what a privilege and honor it had been to be there for my father. I couldn't believe it! I felt so blessed.
I wonder if there might be people in your church who would be willing to minister to you and Carol that way. I know it might be difficult to ask, but it could also be a blessing to them to be able to serve in that way. Just a thought.
I continue to pray for you and Carol and your family, as well as for your financial situation.
Nancy
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