Friday, September 11, 2015

Almost Dead but ...

What's it like to almost die?

And then not.

It happened to our friend Roy Swindell just several weeks ago. A little pain leads to a lot so Martha takes him to the Hospital and all Hell breaks loose!

Things go from bad to worse when they get to the Emergency Room ... he remembers talking to his doctor at 1 in the morning  on a Thursday ... the next thing he recalls is the following Tuesday.

What happened in-between?

During those five days, the Internet explodes with love for Martha and Roy!

If you believe in prayer, good Karma or the power of positive thinking ... Martha and Roy got a lot!

Almost like the world stopped spinning for a lot of people cause some things merit the world to stop for a second or two.

Roy wakes and realizes at some level that he's still alive.

During those five days Martha's managed the love ... her for him ... us for them ... and from wherever it is that love comes from.

A week later it starts dawning on Roy how many it is who really care that ... he might die ... and he didn't.

He admits its been overwhelming to learn how many of us there are who care ... and are opinionated ... that his time isn't over yet.

Somehow it's grounded in the love he and Martha share ... though he went away for a while ... she never did ...  and while he can't explain it ... they never left each other.

He's learned life is short.

Tell the people you love that you love them.

And he and Martha?

Obviously it changed everything.

They fill in each other's blanks.

They take nothing for granted anymore.

They're grateful for the love of so many.

"What's it like to almost die?" I ask.

"I am still running that one in my head. I don't remember anything so it is something I am still coming to terms with."

But ... Martha was somehow there the whole time.

So was lots of love from lots of others.

And here you are!

Reminding us to not take love for granted.

There's more to this story.

Thankfully, we have Roy ... and Martha ... together at Bar Church on Sunday ... to celebrate LIFE!

That's Sick!

My Dad was a bit of a hypochondriac ... if he saw a disease on television ... he was pretty sure he had the symptoms.

"Mike," he'd say, "have you seen that commercial for PBA ... Pseudobulbar ... it causes uncontrollable laughing and crying for no apparent reason? I think I have it."

It is true that Dad laughed a lot ... and he didn't mind crying ... and on occasion he couldn't control either but ...

"I think you're okay Dad," I replied.

"You think so Son?"

"Yeah, I think so Dad."

He'd be okay until he saw the next commercial.

It's been a week of sickness at our house.

Sarah went down first ... part exhaustion both physical and emotional ... led her to virtually collapse while ... continuing to go ... because the kids need this ... work needs that ... everybody wants something ... so she'd crash then fly ... then do it again.

She continues to amaze me and I'm beginning to believe she really may be Wonder Woman after all.

Then when she gets well, I get sick ... with exploding sinuses, ringing in my ear and a sudden exhaustion ... and like my wife ... I keep going ... working deals ... playing at the Nursing Home ... trying to raise money for things I believe in ... until I collapse last night on the sofa and sleep for almost 12 hours.

This morning I feel like a truck's run over me.

Sipping coffee I turn the television on and it's a Cialis commercial ... for erectile dysfunction.

The side effects are headaches, body aches and pains, upset stomach, mild dizziness, blurry vision, CONJESTION AND A RUNNY NOSE.

"Aw Shit," I say out loud and turn the television off.