Heading off for a Caribbean cruise with Hubby and my dear cousins, all the world seemed glorious. We excitedly posed for our boarding photo, located our staterooms, purchased our first yummy tropical drinks, attended the muster drill and then set sail. All seemed right. We did not have a care in the world. The four of us were looking forward to four days together and time to enjoy the fun and sun of the Bahamas.
In moments like those described above, I honestly thought I did not have a care in the world. Life was very good.
Shortly after leaving the port, I felt queasy. Even though the water was quite choppy it is unusual for this seasoned cruiser to be impacted by sea-sickness. In just a few brief moments, after heading towards my room and only making it to the steps near the elevators, I fainted. It sounds simple but actually as reality was melting out of reach it was a very frightening experience. I knew I was losing control and thankfully sat down rather than fall. I awoke to Hubby holding my head and calling, "Come back to me".
Nothing had ever felt like that before. Through all the surgeries I have endured there is always that moment when anesthesia blissfully takes me away. But those events were all planned and the lack of consciousness was a blessing indeed. This event was not planned! How could it invade my "very good" frame of mind?
The moment I came back to reality was like awakening into a new world. I was so amazingly grateful to be alive and waited patiently for help to come. Blessedly the Lord provided a fellow passenger, an amazing nurse and a competent doctor to come to my aid. Apparently "the event" had been precipitated by a fall in my blood pressure and was not related to some life-threatening problem like a heart attack or stroke.
Of course, as Hubby held my head he did not know that this was not the last time he would see me alive. Nor did I.
"The event" made the remainder of the cruise almost surreal. Every moment in the sun on a gorgeous beach, or at the man-made marvel of Atlantis or enjoying the fun and games and good food on the ship was like a special gift for us. Life was no longer just "very good" for now it was a true gift, a marvelous present for which to be grateful. Life was incredible! The joy we shared was immense and nothing was taken for granted. Nothing!
On the other hand, without talking about it, Hubby and I both went through a lot of soul-searching. We constantly thought what it might be like not to have each other. What it might be like for our children to not have one parent. What it might be like for my mother. What it might be like for all of our dear family and friends in Illinois and Florida and so many other places. And we thought of our six little grandchildren and the grandchildren yet to be born. The thoughts brought awareness and joy and gratefulness and a realization that life is good and life is precious. It also reminded us of how very special each of these people in our lives is to us.
My life is precious to me and to many, but in that moment when I thought it could all be gone I realized I was still in God's hands. I am so very grateful that He gave me more days on earth to enjoy. However, when that moment comes that my days on earth are gone, I am still His and the peace that passes understanding pervades my being. I go forward each day in that security.
I hope that you appreciate the life you have today. Enjoy. Love. Feel. Reach. Sense. Encourage. Forgive. Dance. Embrace. Cheer. Laugh. Share. Imagine. Celebrate. Enlighten. Remember. Try. Live, really live. Be present in the moment. Life is a glorious gift! Appreciate it!
