Yesterday was truly a day blessed by God's mercy and I want to tell you all about it. So I went for a run after school and fall was defintely in the air. It was a great run, but also a very emotional one. The smell in the air instantly brought me back to my life last year and how outside was so beautiful and refreshing, but inside was dark and suffocating. I praised God for bringing me through the storm and giving me the light of his mercy in my life right now. As soon as I got back to school I went to my dad's caring bridge site and it happened to be that day that I wrote my first posting. My words hit so close to my heart and tears just rolled down my cheeks. It was for that reason that I decided to post that message on this blog to bring you all back to my life just one year ago. When I got home my phone just started ringing and ringing, which is kind of unusual because I rarely get calls late in the evening. At 9pm when I finally got my pijamas on and went to go lay down on the couch to watch the news, my phone starting ringing again. I was confused thinking who in the world would be calling me at 9pm at night. I looked at my caller ID and it was an unknown number, but my curiousity wouldn't let me miss the call. The shaky voice on the other line, came from a young woman who said "Hi Lacy, this is_______ and you gave your contact info to the CJD foundation and I've been meaning to call you because my dad too is dying from CJD as we speak". The disparity in her voice instantly opened my ears to listen to her story. As I sat there taking in all that she needed to get out, a feeling of dejavu came over me. It was so eary how her story coincided so much with mine. Her dad too started showing symptoms in late July. She is an only child, but in her early 20's just as well and trying to make sense of it all. She would talk about how they would take her dad out for walks and how much that consoled them all. I also took my dad on many walks in his wheelchair and for that moment it seemed like he had come back to us. The birds chirping and the cool breeze lifted his spirits so much. She also talked about the trial and hardship of deciding to place her father in a nursing home/hospice care. She too wanted to do it all for her dad and didn't want to let go. She also talked about how she couldn't believe the outpour of support that her family has received during this time. She too had people coming to her house with food and open arms to help around the house. She even commented to me how honored she felt to be her father's daughter. She too couldn't believe how many lives her dad has touched and how many others were suffering along with her. My mouth was dropped open during the whole conversation...I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. I didn't think I'd find anybody who'd know exactly what I've been through. I was her only one short year ago. I hope I was able to give her some solace as she spilled out all she was feeling. This phone call was equally a blessing for me. Eventhough we are states apart, I felt instantly bonded to her...like sisters. Her dad was just admitted to hospice care so she knows the dark road ahead of her. I just ask that you all pray along with me for her and her family. She is having many of the same scared, hopeless, empty, lost and confused feelings. I pray that God may open her eyes to his loving purpose for her dad and that in that, she may feel calmed by his passing. I pray that her family is there for her dad and for one another with compassion, but also that they may not forget about themselves. Fortunately or unfortunately, their lives will continue on so I pray that God works within their hearts to overcome this hurdle and rejoice in his mercy together. May they all be blessed with peace and love.
Thank you Lord!
-Lacy
P.s. I think this just shows how CJD keeps on popping up in this world. A few days ago a woman stopped by my classroom and mentioned that her father-in-law also passed away from CJD and that she'd like to share stories. Unfortunately, my students were still in class so I couldn't set aside the time right then and there. I pray that she visits me again some day soon. CJD is definitely more prevalent than we all want to believe. Please reach out your hands in support!
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