Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Can I Get a Hallelujah?

My youngest angel came home from school today and told me the story of a young girl whose father taught her to "never quit" in the face of adversity.  He was crippled by an illness, but even through his pain and his ravaged body, he was still able to instill a very strong message of hope into the hearts of those he loved.  His daughter later went on to become an Olympic athlete.  I have to wonder whether she would have become the person that she was if her father had viewed things differently.  What if he decided to quit when he became ill?  What if he allowed the negativity of his illness to leak over into other aspects of his life?  What if he espoused constant despair instead of hope?  Where would that have left the people around him?

Yesterday, I received two phone messages from my brother's wife.  In the first one, she said that she wanted to make amends and move forward so that we could start supporting each other.  In the second one, she put my angel niece on the phone.  My fifth angel.  My little, nine year old girl.  Angel Niece said that she wanted to talk to me and that she wanted to see if we could get together soon.  And the breath that I have been holding for over six months finally released into a flood of happy tears.  

Do I fully trust that this is the end of the road for this battle that should never have begun to begin with?  I don't know, but it is all that I have wanted and all that I have fought for since the day that my brother died.  I made a promise to my brother after his death.  I stood there and I whispered into his ear that I would always be there for his girls.  I vowed that I would help to raise his children in whatever ways that I could.  I promised, never even considering the attack which would ensue in the days following his passing.  I promised, never even realizing that my promise would be tested immediately.  I promised...

And I never gave up.  I never quit.  I did this not only for the promise I made to my brother, but also because of the effect that it would have had on my own angel daughters if I had given up.  To teach loyalty, one must be loyal.  To teach tenacity, one must also be tenacious.  To teach hope, one must never quit.

Thank you so much for your constant support, compassion, and understanding.  My blogging friends have been such an incredible source of comfort and wisdom during a time that was such a difficult test to my spirit.  You have lifted my wings up off of the ground at times when I did not think they could even begin to flutter.  I am grateful beyond words.  So now I am asking you for one more thing as I pray that everything will turn out well.  Can I get a Hallelujah?  

13 comments:

Ness said...

Hallelulah! I am crying with tears of happiness for both you and your Fifth and Sixth Angels. You fought the good fight, you finished the course and you kept the faith. There is one beaming brother today smiling in happiness that his sister kept her word. Debbie, I will go to sleep tonight with a smile on my face and a prayer of thanksgiving for this miracle. All my love to you, dear sister of the heart.

Laura ~Peach~ said...

Hallelulah!!! more tears here too! I am so Happy for you and the angels! I cant wait to hear more and how seeing the angel goes!
Hugs Laura

Debra said...

Thanks, Nessie and Laura! You have been awesome throughout this ordeal. I told you, my dear blogging friends, before I even began telling my own extended family. The six of us thought that you all should hear it first because you cared and you believed right along with us.

I will go to sleep with the conversation that I have waited six months to have, floating happily around my dreams. I will also have a serene smile on my face.

Life is beautiful.

Love you,
Debbie

Blue said...

You can have a GLORY HALLELULAH!

That's fantastic news Deb! Yay!!!

joanne said...

Hallelulah!! And tears of joy for you and yours Deb. I am shaking with happiness and relief for you. Your brother is dancing in heaven right now and beaming with love and joy.
I know what a difficult road this has been for you. I knew you would never-ever give up. I will keep sending my prayers that this is a new beginning for you and all your angels. love, jj

This gives me hope for my situation with my sister, thanks;)

Anonymous said...

Hallelujah! I am so happy for you Deb! This has to be a tremendous weight lifted off of your sweet shoulders. I will keep you and yours in my prayers as you continue along this beautiful path of grace. Much love, Kathy

Preity Angel... said...

This is so touching posts..I hope everything will goes well with your angels. and ofcourse you.

Take care of yourself Deb. I am really happpy for you.

Jennifer Chronicles (jenx67.com) said...

For some reason this came to mind when I was reading your blog - a quote someone said that I picked up many years ago - I wish I knew who said it.

"How do you handle a difficult woman?"

"Love her."

It's like your love carried you to this miracle.

Jenn-n-n said...

Ohhhhh what wonderful news.... I have tears streaming down my face, your post touched me. I am so happy for you and your family.

Keep your bright light shining lady, the good will come.

Catherine Holman said...

What wonderful news! I'm so happy for you!
Hugs,
Cathie

Anonymous said...

On my knees!

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Deb, HALLELUJAH! I am choked up and beyond happy at this news. Those little angels are truly blessed to have you as their auntie. I pray all will go well with you all moving forward and that their momma will see how blessed she is to have YOU a part of her girls' lives. You are such a tremendous gift to them.

xox

Blue said...

Jenx67...
those are the sage words of advice from Merlin to Aurthur in the classic song from Camelot. Aurthur is recalling his time of training and the advice he'd received from Merlin in his agony over Gwenevere. The words are beautiful:

"How to handle a woman?
There's a way," said the wise old man,
"A way known by ev'ry woman
Since the whole rigmarole began."
"Do I flatter her?" I begged him answer.
"Do I threaten or cajole or plead?
Do I brood or play the gay romancer?"
Said he, smiling: "No indeed.
How to handle a woman?
Mark me well, I will tell you, sir:
The way to handle a woman
Is to love her...simply love her...
Merely love her...love her...love her."

It's my favorite musical ever. ♥

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