Love and Prayers Needed.

Welp, it's been a while dear friends.  I'd love to say that I have been busy having oh so much fun, but I am afraid I am in a slight blogging slump right now.  (Meaning the idea of sitting in front of my computer and typing after a long day of work basically just doesn't seem possible.)  Life has been crazy.  So crazy that today I am here to tell you a story and ask for you to pray.  This post will not have pictures.  Just words.

As I type this, my mom's cousin (who she treats like a brother) is laying in a bed in the ICU wing of a hospital in Richmond, VA.  And he needs your prayers.

Let me tell you a story about this gentleman.  

All my life I have known him as quiet Cousin David. For the most part, he kept to himself, content to stay home and read one of the million books he had collected over the years.  Except for Christmas.  As a kid I remember every year when my mom would invite him over for Christmas Breakfast.  He would happily join us and typically gave my sister and I an old VHS - usually a Shirley Temple movie or two.

I remember a time when my mom drug my best friend Jess and I out on a Saturday morning in 9th grade.  She took us to the SPCA to find "the perfect cat" for David.  Why?  I don't remember.  What I do remember is the overwhelming joy he had when we showed up with that fat cat.  

As I said, after spending most of his life alone with just a handful of friends and family, when my mom decided it was time (he was probably in his late 50s, early 60s - if I am way off sorry - I am horrible at judging age) it was time to set him up on a date.  Of course, he said no.  And of course my mom got her way - by tricking him.  

She asked her friend Julie to help her at one of our usual work picnics.  She also asked her cousin David to help.  Sneaky sneaky Mother!  Julie was a terrific lady with the awesome, quirky, fun loving personality that would be a perfect match for quiet David.  Julie's husband had passed away from cancer years before, so the set up would do good for her heart as well.

Who knew (other than apparently my mom) that they would be a perfect match!!  After a lifetime of no dating or girlfriends David totally hit it off with Julie!  They dated and guess what?!  They got married!  And he became this talkative, open, fun loving guy!  After not having a companion around for so many years, she definitely brought the best out in him!  I remember visiting Julie at her office one afternoon and she told me how he just doesn't stop talking!  I found it absolutely shocking.  It just goes to show you what love will do to someone! 

It was either on or immediately after their honeymoon when David got sick.  (This was probably about 3 years ago.)  And for the past three years, he has been sick.  In and out of hospitals and doctor appointments.  Last fall we were all told he needed a new liver.  And if he didn't get one, he probably wouldn't make it through Christmas.  At which point everyone in the family who could donate tried to.  My mom failed.  My cousin failed.  I wasn't a candidate because of my time spent on mission trips in El Salvador.  So he was put on the liver donation list.  And we waited.

Christmas came and went.  From what I've been told it has been a rollar coaster of events and emotions.  I know my story is probably leaving a ton of things out.  But just think of the strength that these two individuals had to cling to.  They meet, fall in love, get married and then this happens.  I can't even begin to imagine!  

Last week they got a phone call.  An amazingly awesome phone call and gift from God.  My mom called me sobbing as she explained that even though he wasn't up next on the list for a liver, his number was pulled and it was going to happen!  There was a woman ahead of him who had a live donor.  When another liver came available, the live donor said she still wanted to go through the surgery and donate for someone else.  The coolest part about livers?  Apparently they regenerate.  (Yep!  Like a starfish!)  It's a serious surgery and several weeks of recovery to donate, but when you do it, your liver will regenerate and grow back to it's original state.  Amazing right?!

So David and Julie headed to Richmond, VA for surgery yesterday.  A 10+ hour long surgery.  My mom headed up there yesterday afternoon.  She intended to drive home last night around 9 or 10 when he got out of surgery.  But then things went wrong.  And they are still up there.  In ICU.  Praying as the doctors try to control the internal bleeding and his now unstable heart.  

My mom just called me with an update, telling me that Julie, the love of David's life is sitting beside him... and she is a basket case.  Friends - I ask you to pray.  And pray hard.  For this man and for his wife.  Their love story is amazing and it's not over yet.  The doctors told my mom and Julie that today is the make-it-or-break-it day.  So please please pray.  

Pray for healing.  Whether it's the healing we all wish and hope for - or for the healing that God has intended.  Pray for strength and hope.  Pray for comfort and peace of mind and faith for all of those involved.  Just pray.

And then go hug your loved ones.  Life is short.  Be thankful for your friends, family, love, pets, neighbors, co-workers, blog readers... anyone and everyone.  

I am not positive if this verse is applicable right now, but it's one that always reminds me and calms me when I am stressed... 

He said to them, "Why are your afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.  - Matthew 8:26 

We just have to put our faith in God and our faith in love.  I will keep you all posted.  - Susan