She said, "That can't be good."
I don't now how this is going to go. I wish there were a roadmap...or maybe, on second thought, I don't.
Without a doctor giving a definite prognosis (no insurance means no doctor), I can keep hoping past the lumps in my neck that make swallowing almost impossible, past the fact that I'm not really digesting food, past the fever and the chills...
...and I can hope for a better tomorrow, since ignorance is bliss.
And if not...
If you believe, as I do, that death is not the end, then death is not the enemy. If personalied, death is the gatekeeper into a new and glorious world, although the gate itelf may be hard and painful.
What did Jesus say?
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matt. 7:14
Maybe so.
I have far outrun the Reaper,
but not much of me remains;
pain is growing, getting deeper
and he's eating at my gains.
I hear the rustle of his cloak,
and admit that's got me shook.
Breath comes now in shallow choke
and I'm afraid to look.
I cannot plead for mercy;
no appeal can thus be made,
but before my strength deserts me,
I turn, with finger raised.
And now begins another story,
for Death looks down, and says, "I'm sorry"
Music from Lonestar, With Me.
Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.
Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.
Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.
Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.
Oh sweet Andrew... we just want you out of pain. Praying for a huge protective peace, a God-given 'morphine' ... an other-worldly protection from Satan's last desperate "stand" ... that his bite holds no teeth and he disintegrates into the mealy mouth weasel that he is, back to the pit for good. Because Jesus' name is that strong. Thank you the God given LIFE you've given us. me.
ReplyDeleteJane, you phrased this so beautifully. Thank you, and please know you are in our prayers and in our hearts.
DeleteAndrew, you reminded me of John Donne's Sonnet X (one that I have always wanted read when it comes to my funeral):
ReplyDeleteDeath, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.
God bless you and give you His peace x
Liz, this is perfect. Thank you so much!
DeleteLove you brother! Continually praying!
ReplyDeleteLove back, Tara! Thank you so much for the prayers!
DeleteI love that description of death as a gatekeeper into a new and glorious world. It is an amazing hope we have that no matter what pain we face here, something much, much better awaits us. Praying for you!
ReplyDeleteLesley, I'm so glad you liked that. And thank you so much or your prayers!
Delete(((((Andrew)))))
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the following...
from Thanatopsis, by William Cullen Bryant
So live, that when thy summons comes to join
The innumerable caravan, which moves
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death,
Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.
Hugs from Annie in Texas
((((((Annie!))))))
DeleteThank you so much for this. It's lovely.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26
ReplyDeleteYes, Ellen. Thank you so much for being here!
Deletego well into the future Andrew. Mind your steps getting there. :)
ReplyDeleteWill do, Annette, and thank you!
DeleteThe steps will be a dance.
Love your description of death as a gatekeeper, and as always your beautiful poetry. I continue to pray for God's mercy to bring you relief on this pathway!
ReplyDeleteBettie, thank you so much for this lovely affirmation, and for your prayers!
DeleteAndrew I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this. Cancer is awful. I'll definitely pray for you. I know the cancer journey well. It's not easy, hang in there. God has you ♥️
ReplyDeleteLexie, it sure is awful, but I've found both unexpected grace and beauty along the way.
DeleteGod does indeed have me. I'm not alone.
Love the thought to live fighting so well that even death would be sad to take you! As usual your poetry is awesome!
ReplyDeletePraying for you!
Thank you so much for this, Jerralea, and especially for your prayers!
DeleteOh how i pray for you! A woman in childbirth screams in pain, but she has the hope of a child born. You have a hope unseen, yet more real, faith is substance yet unseen. Your pain is not in vain! Heaven is real! I cry for you, and hope with you!
ReplyDeleteMary, this is just beautiful...thank you so much for walking through the valley with me!
DeleteWe're on a continuum, aren't we, Andrew, that runs from birth to death to our eternal forever home. We're not at the end but only beginning ...
ReplyDeleteIndeed yes, Linda. What we see as nightfall is God's dawn.
DeleteYes, a gatekeeper, even though it is painful. May you pass through it victorious. There is peace, joy, healing, no pain on the other side. May God hold you and Barb close as you near that gate. You are such an inspiration to me, Andrew, to keep going when things get rough. There is always hope and there is always beauty to be found. Light always shines through the darkness. Much love to you and Barb with gentle hugs. Thank you so much for all you have contributed and are contributing to this community, dear Andrew! xo
ReplyDeleteGayl, I am so heartened and honoured by your kind and gracious words...truly, you are a blessing to us.
DeleteLove and hugs back, from both of us. XO!
Stephanie, thank you so much for this...and for being here.
ReplyDelete