Thursday, October 11, 2007

I come from a family of strong women. There's a very long line of us. It's the Scots and the Welsh blood that pounds though our veins that gives us steel in our backbone and sometimes, stone in our hearts. Tragedy may beset us, but it doesn't conquer us. For anyone who read Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind, they'll remember Scarlet's constant shield..."there's always tomorrow". That is strength in her, not weakness as so many people are apt to feel. She'll make it through that war, that flood, that death, that drought, because there's always tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll think about it, there'll be an answer tomorrow. I'm thinking along these lines because our nephew Joey lies in a hospital, critically injured and if I don't think that, if I don't hold on to that one thought, Joey will be here tomorrow, it would be to much like giving up on him. I don't plan to do that. Strong women deal with the hard knocks as though they have to entertain everyone around them, keep them from thinking about what may lie ahead. Even at my own mother's funeral, I felt I was the hostess at a tea party and had to keep everyone from realizing that the guest of honor at the front of the Church was not going to get up and hold court. Oh, you had to know my Mother...holding court was the exact term to use there. That was not disrespect, but words of the deepest love. Now here is Joey, who very well may not recover from his injuries and I'm talking to his sweet wife, Karen, on the phone and I hear it. I hear that strong woman strain in her voice, as though I was sitting across from her and she was about to offer me a cup of coffee. She has that need to hold things together, to put it off until tomorrow, to stay awake for that one word from the doctor that will let her relax, knowing she'll never relax until the day he walks out of the hospital on his own. So, I told her what my best advice was. He's asleep. Everyone has gone home. Take a nap. Rest . Curl up with a fuzzy blanket and get strong for him. You're no good to him worn out. Will she take my advice? She's a strong woman, I have a feeling she's sleeping to gear up for another long day...tomorrow.

PS
Please say a prayer tonight for Michael Joe Andrus that God will do what is best for him. It's the prayer I'll say again tonight...keep him and his family, especially Karen his wife, in your prayers

10 comments:

Kari (GrannySkywalker) said...

Ah Aunt Sandi, that was a beautiful post. I'm so glad you got to talk to Karen. She really is amazing, isn't she? I had told her earlier that you and Uncle Wally sent your love, but I know it sounded better coming directly from your mouth. Every day that Joey hangs in there is a good day, right? He's such a goofball. But he's OUR goofball and I kind of like him when he's up and about and letting stupid things flow out of his mouth. lol
I'm just holding on to the thought of hearing his voice again one day and seeing him smile with that wicked little twinkle in his eye. And in the meantime, I'll just keep calling Karen and praying she has good news to tell us all. I'll let you know what I hear - you do the same, please!

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

Sandi, that really was a lovely post-I felt quite choked up reading yours and Kari's posts. I'll be thinking of all your family at this difficult time, and I'm sure your words of wisdom were a great help to Joey's mum-I know that they would be to me.xxx

Anonymous said...

Will pray that god does his healing on Joey and strength for both of them.

Abbie said...

Oh Aunt Sandie...gosh!
I cannot begin to imagine, I can try but I doubt I'd succeed.
What I can do is offer up that prayer for your family.
Take care.

PAT said...

This is a beautiful post, Sandi. I will, indeed, keep Joey in my thoughts and prayers and Karen, too!

Pat

Terri Steffes said...

I loved this post. My lineage is of strong women, too. Prayers for your family, of course. Thanks for visiting my blog. Can I add you to my list of Inspiring People and Places?

The Honourable Billy Blunt said...

Hi Aunt Sandi,
I hope that Joey soon improves,I am getting better slowly.
I just want to thank you for all your good wishes over the last 2 weeks,your kindness will not be forgotten.
Women are like tea bags put us in hot water and we just get stronger.
Luv Kat xx

Justabeachkat said...

Sandi

I didn't get by here yesterday, but I did read about Joey's accident on Kari's blog. I prayed for him and his family last night and again today. I e-mailed Karen earlier. I pray that he will have a complete recovery.

This was a very sweet and touching post.

Hugs!
Kat

Susie Q said...

So beautiful...you have all been in my prayers.

I was already crying from reading Kat's post about her husband and now yours...I need another box of tissues.

Joey is in so many prayers...

Hugs,
Sue

Country Cottage Chic said...

Sandi - I'll be sending prayers his way & my love to all your family.