Cali Living by CBHine -- Getting stronger

This summer my father was very ill and was airlifted by chopper to Memphis from Kennett several times. I made two trips home to stay with him and my mom in the hospital in Memphis. Each time when I left him I was very afraid it would be the last time I would see him alive. I can tell you those flights back to Southern California were filled with many tears. All in all I think I was with him for about four weeks this summer. Because he was so ill, he has no memory of the time he spent at Baptist East Hospital.

Staying in the hospital with a loved one for weeks at a time is a very odd experience. The hospital becomes your community. I found that I soon had new friends who were also staying with parents and or family members. We were touched by the kindness of those who came to visit us. We witnessed an amazing outpouring of prayers, cards, phone calls and visits. Its times like these we truly find out who our friends are.

This past Thanksgiving my parents flew out to Southern California to spend Thanksgiving with my family. It was a joyful experience and a huge blessing to have my dad in my home again. The trip out and back was hard on him, but he is such a trooper and never complains.

I know that life throws us some difficulties that we must walk through. Many of you know exactly what I'm talking about here. Much of the time it's unfair, unkind and heart breaking. Sometimes it ends well, then others it ends tragically. We can learn from each other. If you have been through difficulties and would like to share what you have learned then please write in and share with us! After all, what is it that Dolly Parton said in Steele Magnolia's, "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger". Amen!