Saturday, March 18, 2006
From AscensionNYC
Saturday in the Second Week of Lent
Psalm 23, 27
Genesis 43:16-34
1 Corinthians 7:10-24
Mark 5:1-20
I have learned so much from the parents and children that I have cared for as a registered nurse. One family's journey will always be held dear in my heart and their story brings us a loving message. As I came on duty for the night tour at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the unit was unusually hushed, despite the eight children attached to their life supporting technology with humming breaths and beeping alarms. As I received the report on Teddy, I soon understood why, it was because Teddy's mom and dad were told that nothing more could be done. Teddy had endured a bone marrow transplant and bravely fought a long course of chemotherapy for an aggressive form of childhood leukemia. Teddy kept a bright smile on his face as he lay in his mother's arms -- with his dad sitting by his side. As I went into the room to assess Teddy's comfort level I noted his beautiful smiling face, and, as with all six year olds, he was missing his two front teeth. He looked up and with an excited voice said, "Look!! mommy and daddy, the white dog is coming and he is handing me the leash."
Later that night, Teddy, passed away in his parents' arms, and in the morning his mom and dad told me that Teddy had always wanted to have a pet and especially a white dog... .
It is a wondrous mystery how our Lord watches over us as we walk through the valleys of uncertainty, pain and suffering. As we reach toward grace our lord is guiding us through the rolling hills of our life. On the day when we are climbing our highest mountain of our life our Lord is gently lifting and leading us toward peace.
Psalm 23, "The LORD Is My Shepherd" inspired me to write this story and to remember all the children and their families who have courageously traveled through the valley of death.
Genesis 43:16-34
1 Corinthians 7:10-24
Mark 5:1-20
I have learned so much from the parents and children that I have cared for as a registered nurse. One family's journey will always be held dear in my heart and their story brings us a loving message. As I came on duty for the night tour at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the unit was unusually hushed, despite the eight children attached to their life supporting technology with humming breaths and beeping alarms. As I received the report on Teddy, I soon understood why, it was because Teddy's mom and dad were told that nothing more could be done. Teddy had endured a bone marrow transplant and bravely fought a long course of chemotherapy for an aggressive form of childhood leukemia. Teddy kept a bright smile on his face as he lay in his mother's arms -- with his dad sitting by his side. As I went into the room to assess Teddy's comfort level I noted his beautiful smiling face, and, as with all six year olds, he was missing his two front teeth. He looked up and with an excited voice said, "Look!! mommy and daddy, the white dog is coming and he is handing me the leash."
Later that night, Teddy, passed away in his parents' arms, and in the morning his mom and dad told me that Teddy had always wanted to have a pet and especially a white dog... .
It is a wondrous mystery how our Lord watches over us as we walk through the valleys of uncertainty, pain and suffering. As we reach toward grace our lord is guiding us through the rolling hills of our life. On the day when we are climbing our highest mountain of our life our Lord is gently lifting and leading us toward peace.
Psalm 23, "The LORD Is My Shepherd" inspired me to write this story and to remember all the children and their families who have courageously traveled through the valley of death.
Cathy Dehn
