A Heart of Gratitude

I was praying last night, thanking the Lord for how far my sister has come since her car accident on June 16. Yesterday was her birthday, and as we tried to have a small celebration with her while she was in the hospital, she reached another milestone on her journey towards complete healing.

Marie was off the ventilator – on a collar, which gives her some extra oxygen through her tracheotomy.  She has been doing this for longer periods of time each day for awhile now.  The respiratory technician came in to assess her progress and commented on how well she was doing that day – producing more oxygen herself and taking in much less oxygen from the machine.  As she continued to check everything – she disconnected all the apparatus for the ventilator – smiled – and rolled it out of Marie’s room!

The greatest birthday gift ever!  Marie is completely off the ventilator!  This will enable her to move towards the next phase of her rehab – hopefully removing the tracheotomy and then being discharged from the hospital; then going to a facility for her final rehabilitation!

I rejoiced in this phase of her healing and felt a pull to focus on a true heart of gratitude.  Knowing that this is what the Lord asks of each of us at all times – but especially when we are faced with challenges and trials.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what you have into enough – it can turn a house into a home – a stranger into a new found friend – a meal into a feast.  It can turn feeling you are a victim of a situation into feeling you are actually a survivor of an unbelievable feat.

Unfortunately more people constantly complain about their lives than those seeking to see the blessings that they already have each and every day.

Once you have a heart of gratitude, you are able to see the number of blessings all around you.  You stop being selfish, you appreciate others, you see all your blessings overflowing every day.  A heart of gratitude allows you to see through the eyes of God; allowing you to understand how much he has already done for you, is continuing to do, and you may even get a glimpse into of some of his plans for your future.

The practice of gratitude has been proven to actually boost the immune system.  How amazing that God calling us to have a heart of gratitude is literally a health benefit for ourselves.

I began to thank the Lord for every amazing blessing he has bestowed upon Marie during the last five weeks:

At the very moment she had her accident, at the point of impact, God spared her life; another driver stopped to see how she was – called 911 and called our family to tell us she was in an accident; she was brought to a hospital with one of the best trauma centers; she was brought immediately into surgery (we were not even able to see her when we first arrived at the hospital); she came through the surgery; her care in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit was tremendous; although she had multiple broken ribs, she did not have any spinal injuries; she was unconscious for weeks – yet once she opened her eyes, there was no neurological damage; she progresses daily; although it seems like years to her – she is healing as well as they expect and her future looks very hopeful; she was moved to the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit and began rehabilitation of her lungs, moving closer and closer toward removing her from the ventilator; on her birthday, she was finally removed from the ventilator.

Marie’s support from her family is never-ending; family literally slept at the hospital for the first week she was there – then rotating around the clock – always having someone by her side.  Prayers and well wishes come from anyone that knows Marie as well as those who are supporting each of us – even if they don’t know Marie personally.

Gratitude – something that is expected of us – benefits us in more ways than we can imagine – pleases God – touches the hearts of those around us – allows us to see beauty even in the tough moments in our lives.

I am ever so thankful for my sister’s continued healing and progress.  I look forward to when we can reflect on all the amazing miracles that were poured over her throughout her journey.

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your marvelous works. – Psalm 9:1

A Glimpse Into a Son's Heart

As a parent, grandparent, and an aunt – I many times still see the young men in my life as the little boys I love so dearly.

My nephew was one adorable little boy – and many times I still see him as this cute little boy.

I would also say I picture Michael with a basketball in his hand more times than not.  He started playing at a very young age and continued not only through college – but still plays, coaches, and runs a basketball clinic for young children.

Every once in awhile – I do see the young man he is – but in my heart – he’s always cute little Michael.

His graduation day from college was a day we were all very proud of – and I guess it was time to realize the little boy had become a man – and was heading into the real world.

This past month has been a time where Michael has not only grown tremendously as a young man – but has revealed his true heart as a son; showing how very much his mom means to him, his appreciation for her, and how he would do anything for her.

Mother’s and sons – especially in single parent families – have their roller coaster relationships – but just as in the ride – each moment is exhilarating – with its ups and downs – but always wanting to continue the ride again and again.

One glimpse into Michael’s heart – a facebook post he had put on Father’s Day:

Happy Father's Day to all the single mothers out there. Especially the one that raised me. 

Marie Panella.
Sometimes it takes a woman to teach you how to be a man.

From that day forward – we have all been on a journey with his Mom, my sister, following her car accident and her days in SICU; holding on to each other, our prayers, and love as she slowly heals.

The “man” Michael referred to in his facebook post – was not only revealed during this time – but went above and beyond what most young men of 27 would be capable of. 

As he dealt with his own fears and concerns, he stepped up as her advocate as days turned to weeks of medical decisions, concerns, caring and loving.  He spent many 24-hour periods at the hospital – waiting.  He challenged decisions, requested meetings with doctors prior to procedures, and sat by her bedside continually until the one day she finally woke up.

He continues to be with her every free moment he has – following-up on procedures and goals being set forth for his Mom.  One of the doctors had said during the first few weeks of her being in SICU that he can’t wait until Michael’s mother wakes up so he can tell her what an amazing advocate Michael has been for her throughout all of this.

My sister has definitely raised an amazing man.  My nephew has definitely proven to be a loving son with unconditional love for his mother.

Although this experience is nothing anyone would want to have in their lives – I am blessed to have been given the opportunity to get a glimpse into the heart of a son – my sister’s son.  I cannot express how proud I am of my nephew and cannot wait until this is all behind us - when I can share so many beautiful moments about my nephew with my sister, his Mom.