pillars

Life in the hospital is so all consuming.  (Surely you sensed that in my last whiney post.)  It is a complete world all it's own - emergencies, patient rooms, classes, other chaplains, the cafeteria, etc.  

Then I drive up the mountain to another whole world - Ashevillia.  This world is populated with my three best blond boys, my blue bed, Steve's date shakes, treadmill walks with Jenn, the penguins of madagascar and laundry.

Sometimes I feel like a rickety, wobbly bridge trying to span the great distance of the two polar worlds.  It is daunting.  But I am growing in awareness that my bridge has amazing girders and support beams.  People from "the old country" who willingly and empoweringly span with me.

To name a few...

   In North Carolina, Steve listens to way too many depressing tales and amusing antidotes of my job, and prays me into each day.  Matt and Jenn keep themselves available for whatever it takes to make life work this year, and add sanity and smiles.

   From Maryland, Lisa is awake and phone ready during my 7:00 am drive, encouraging me to exercise my energy up.

   Tennessee Sandy and Hugh (my inlaws) encouraged me to blog this whole experience, and keep encouraging me with love and ideas and childcare.

   From Georgia, Dave does his own commute.  His CPE background and insights helps me to feel a little less crazy.

   My favorite New Yorkers, Ben and Jenny, are considering being local support, in addition to the emotional kind.

   My Barbs! Barb M and Barbara T insist on the much needed off call movies, lake trips and chocolate.

   And all the way from California.....my giant buttresses (hee hee, is that flattering?) Karen and Stuart are tireless over the constant phone communication that is the oxygen to my emotional lungs.  They are fluent in both my worlds.

My girders!  If this was Israel I would plant a tree for each of you on the avenue of the righteous.  But for here I am honored and blessed and lucky to have you as my pillars of strength.

 Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, "Oh, thank you, God! ... And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it. Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel....  Philemon 1:4-7 the Message Bible

Happy Birthday GBBM Karen Janette! (giant beautiful buttress mamma)