Everyone out there who has been following me knows I?ve not had a lot of time to read as of late. I did however finish a really good book a few weeks ago. I?d heard about it and when I saw a display of the novel at a local store I couldn?t resist the urge to purchase Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent. Could almost four-year old Colton Burpo really have visited heaven? Did he meet a grandpa that he?d never known and a sister that no one on earth had ever seen because she was lost due to a miscarriage?
I thought the book was genuine. I know there are all kinds of phenomena?s out there that cannot be explained. Some try to unravel everything, but I?m telling you some situations are just the way they are and can?t be deciphered. Just like the Bible. I don?t understand a whole lot of it, but I sure do believe it! Could Colton have touched the hand of Jesus and flew with the angels? Yes, I believe he did.
The novel also brings to life the struggles of a mom and dad as they watch their precious little son slowly disappear before their very eyes and they are helpless to do anything about it. How devastating it would be to watch your child lie dying. I cannot even imagine how a person?s heart could withstand such pain and agony.
This past weekend my seven-year-old granddaughter was staying with me. On Saturday morning she started complaining with a tummy ache. She never complains so I knew something was going on. By late afternoon she was still not feeling well and her belly-hurt bad. By Sunday morning she had diarrhea and at eight-thirty that night she threw up and was running a temperature. At ten o?clock with a fever of 102.2 she was able to keep down the fever reducing medicine and fall asleep.
If I felt of her forehead one time during the night I felt of it a hundred. She slowly cooled off and by two in the morning she felt normal and slept peacefully. Then at six-thirty Monday morning she woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed. Amazing recovery.
All during her sickness I couldn?t help but think of little Colton. Emma had the same symptoms that he had, nausea, diarrhea, fever, and low energy. I thought: could Emma have appendicitis like Colton? Would it bust during the night putting little Emma?s life in danger as it had Colton?s? When your child or grandchild is sick nothing else in the world is as important as them getting well. Worry is something we shouldn?t do but I don?t think it is humanly possible to not fret over our loved ones.
That night was not the first I?d ever stayed up and tended a sick child and it probably won?t be the last. I can?t help but think of the mom?s and dad?s who snuggle up to their ailing child, praying there will be a miracle and their baby will be alive when the darkness turns to dawn.
I have a friend and neighbor whose young son has recently been diagnosed with ALD disease. From what I?ve read this is a horrible sickness, but one that a bone marrow transplant can possible help. So I beg of you. To all who read this, please contact The National Bone Marrow Register and see what you have to do to get on the bone marrow donor list. I have been on it for probably twenty years and have been a match twice. The first time they found someone who matched better. The last time was three years ago and we were only a few days from the harvest when the woman to whom the marrow was to go got much sicker and was not able to receive the marrow.
So please. As you lie awake with a sick child, or as you snuggle up to them breathing in their essence and feeling the softness of them; think of all who may be doing the same thing but also praying for a miraculous healing: A miracle that can only come from someone?s unselfishness. Go to this website http://www.marrow.org/ or call toll free?1-800-627-7692 and sign up to be a donor today!
