ON that Monday we tried to get a little work done, got a storage unit to temporarily put things in as we waited to see what would happen to the rest of our things and what kind of mold we were dealing with and wait for the landlord to let us know what would be happening…
We found a hotel near by that we would camp out in and planned on living there for the time being… As we checked into our hotel, got over the fact of not knowing what we would be doing next or where, how long the removal and cleaning would take and just all of the unknowns we kind of laughed and said, “Well, at least no one is hurt, dying or really sick that we know!”
In that very moment Cordie threw my phone at me which had been missing most of the day it rang, with my mom on the other end saying, “Dad, had a stroke we are in the Emergency Room please call your siblings and let them know my cell phone doesn’t have good service..”
This picture was very hard to see when we were away – but reality that nothing is set in stone and anything can happen. See more pictures at www.prayfordon.com
Between Cordie and I we called my siblings, friends, extended family and just sat, prayed, cried and felt helpless as we waited to see if he would be okay.
Not knowing how long we could be in a hotel we decided to clean some of our things at the apartment with bleach, once again dear Becky helped us go through things and determine what is really valuable and what isn’t…Cordie wanted me to fly up right away but instead we attempted to get things together all day that Tuesday then left at 3AM Wednesday morning to drive back up to Minnesota.
Because of amazing friends in Rochester taking care of my mom and dad – visiting and showing their support the long drive to MN was easier than if we knew no one was with them… With so many unanswered questions regarding the size of his stroke, our condo in Florida – Cordie and I were just trusting that God would take care of us and as we made important life changing decisions we would be okay in Him.
Though people around us didn’t understand why we would be ‘okay’ (well no we weren’t and aren’t but are trying to stay positive and keep perspective on what really matters in life) Cordie was great at always just saying, texting or trying to reiterate even if people don’t get it that people > stuff.
Clothes, furniture, money, things, home decor, kitchen crap…. its all just temporary… will you really sacrifice your relationship with people to ‘hold onto it’?
Through these past couple of months and everything that has happened we have been able to lean on and be supported by more than amazing people, have been shown extreme generosity… my love language is to give so receiving has been very difficult for me…but I am learning. Waking up every day being grateful for where I am… where we are going even if it is still very unknown. Thank You to those of you who have fed us, fed my parents, housed us, hugged us, been with us, laughed with us, cried with us and have just been there for and with us.
Also, through this time we have seen the ‘true’ side of others.. their greed and avoidance so that they do not have to help (which we would never ask) in any way at all.
If its hard for you to let go of…excuse me but I can’t think of a better word than shit.. really just shit that sits in your closet and you never look at it.. shit that isn’t of any real value but some far off memory or moment I urge you to try and let go of it… minimize YOUR THINGS and maximize a place for people in your life… think about what is really important to you… is it taking money, ‘getting’ things from others or do you want long lasting healthy relationships?
Yes, yes, yes I know it is hard and unfortunately we learned a hard fast lesson of letting go – still have a ton of shit I don’t know where it comes from but we also have found freedom in losing things. Acknowledging we want to be around and with people…
So Cordie & I are in Rochester, MN currently until we know more about my dad’s health and condition moving forward you can read up on all the posts here: www.prayfordon.com
I am blessed with a husband who’s choice before mine was to stay and do what we can to support my mom and dad – we are not pressured, don’t feel like we have to be here but he knew before I did that he wanted to be here and serve give back to two people who have so openly welcomed him, unconditionally loved him and appreciate him for just being him and not what he does or what he has accomplished.
