“Oh my word, it’s the year of the horse, I think that means the Broncos will win!”
A Chinese graduate student at DU exclaimed after I’d given her a probably too in depth explanation about the Broncos and the Superbowl. All done in the name of helping her understand the culture she now lives in. Wink, wink. {But I also believe in the importance of helping with big cultural moments when you’re new to a place.}
Happy New Year to all who follow the Chinese calendar. Happy year of the horse!
My friend Elisa took this picture and knows I’m a sucker for a good Starbucks Chinese New Year mug :)
And so may it also be on Sunday!
On a more serious note, a significant part of this week has been spent at the hospital with my dad in ICU. Earlier in the week I sent this out to dear friends:
You know it is serious when
- The nurse practitioner in your parents bible study starts crying when you explain the symptoms, diagnosis, and numbers behind some of Dad’s tests.
You know you are on holy ground when
- The arts department has a cellist come by and play music for patients and certain songs will now always remind you of a a private concert in the ICU.
You think you are standing in the door between time and eternity when
- One of the doctors asks about DNR’s (which my parents have and we have known about for years) and Dad couldn’t hear clearly because he wasn’t wearing his hearing aids. I held my dad’s hand and leaned in to repeat it and said, “Dad, we know you have a DNR, but are there any measures you want taken, or do you” — voice starts cracking and I teared up a bit — “want us to let you go?”
You know you might have lost some perspective when :)
- after a long day, you put your sister on the phone to talk to Dad and when you get the phone back gush about how much better he is and she says, “Um, Amy, he sounds awful.” And then she starts laughing. The truth is probably somewhere in between!
You are reminded “this is life” when
- Reading Job in the mornings this week — hard things are a part of life. And everyone in ICU seems to be in worse shape than Dad! He has the least equipment!
You are grateful for years of cross cultural living when
- You have to figure out when your dad means when he wants the bed “up” and he’s not able to put words to his desires and thoughts. Good night, but we went round and round (several times during the day) over up and down. For some reason he wanted his bed closer to the ground, but it was as low as it could go. And no, that was not what he meant by “up” :). Good times, folks, good times!
You know you need more sleep when
- “Kidneys waking up” is the most profound spiritual metaphor for people in spiritual darkness/light and you think you’re really on to something.
You know the meaning of true wealth when
- You, your sisters, and parents are inundated with love. My parents have sown into so many lives and we are all reaping it now.
Depending on how things go, my attention right now is on Dad and our family. Next week I may be recycling posts from the archives. Thank you for your prayers and understanding.
Blessings, Amy
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Your family holds a special place in my heart.
Praying for you and your family and wishing your Broncos the best on Sunday :)
Love to you and your family, Amy. Praying for you as you walk through these holy days. Peace.
Oh Amy, so sorry you are going through this. Know you are not alone friend. Praying for strength today and peace. Sending hugs your way.
I’m right there with you, Amy. Watching a Dad slowly depart is like a slow amputation. Thank God for grace and that “Death comes –and goes–to leave me in Thy arms.” George MacDonald, DIARY OF AN OLD SOUL.
Praying for you and your family.
Oh, Amy … You have certainly been living in a very messy middle experience this past week. The Rowdies are praying mightily for HEALING, peace, comfort, rest, and calm! May the Lord show you joy today!
We’re lifting you and your family up, Amy!
Amy, thinking of you and your family during this time.
Amy!!! Miss your sweet/fun self! Praying for you and your family!!! (you better read this with a British accent, cause that’s how its written!)
The wind doth blow Ronda! :) (replied back with a Brittish accent and some very poor hospital black tea) xo!!
You dad is very blessed to have you there. I’ll pass along your request to Brad too. Grace to you all.
Uplifting & hugs!
Jesus wept.
Prayers for you as you go this journey.
Dear Amy,
The deepest prayers coming to each of you. Please convey to your mom that I am thinking of her each minute.
love,
Susan
I’m laughing at your and Ronda’s exchange :) while I’m lifting you all up (is there such thing as a Southern-British drawl?). Like you said, Amy, you (and of course your family here in the U.S.) have sowed much love and support into the lives of those abroad dealing with issues “back home”, that you are now reaping that source of Love into your own life. Telling you that I’ve been where you are won’t help, but I do empathize and will pray pray PRAY for His peace, His will be done, and His grace and mercy be known. *HUG!!!*
Praying. Thanks for sharing. I can’t imagine how hard this must be.
We are babysitting the Mac this week and will lift up your Dad and family. Peace be with you!
We are lifting you up my friend. Josiah and I have talked about you several times lately concerning the Super Bowl. He is a Sea Hawks fan ;)
What?! The boy who taught me ‘Ticket to ride’ is riding that train :)?!!
He said he does not dislike the Broncos but he picked the Sea Hawks at the beginning of the season to win.
I’m thinking of you and your mom and family. May God bless your hearts with His peace and comfort your dad with love.
Amy, I told your mom when I was there last week to please let me know if you all need anything. You know how much I love you all! Please tell your dad the same. I am praying along with everyone else!
Thinking of you so much today. Hoping you are able to share this Super Bowl with your dad. Go Broncos!
Praying for you and your family and all the lives you all have touched.