As the growing H1N1 disease numbers increase across the TV screens each week, telling us of the "pending" pandemic of H1N1, most of us yawn, maybe get a flu shot and move on...
Well, for me the "pandemic" arrived in my life today. My friend, John, fell ill with H1N1 last Monday and was hospitalized that very day.
By Wednesday he was in a coma.
Today, his wife told Susan and me, at the hospital, that the doctors are giving her very little hope for his survival, let alone his recovery.
John's last decision with his wife, before he lost consciousness, was "to try and keep me alive, but not to keep me from dying."
See John was a leader in Idaho in the Pro-life movement, when I was active (in the '90s). We often talked about how being pro-life was more than just being against abortion...it was really a case of being ""pro-living".
"...Try to keep me alive, but don't keep me from dying"...what a profound distinction. What a way to live out his philosophy...even to the end.
John and his wife are followers of Jesus. They KNOW there is a different world that awaits them...and me...and you.
We met them 18+ years ago. My son, Nate, really found John fascinating....for John is a gentle bear of a human being. Large and loving. His kids are precious. My son, Colin, was in church for a long period of time with his kids. My daughter, Meg, knows his family.
His wife is the best.
And John lays in a bed in a coma. But not alone.
Because of the Swine Flu? Yes, and still alive because of the Lord.
Half in and half out? Nope. All here and like the rest of us in the future...he'll be "all there" when his appointed moment arrives for introduction face to face with the Creator of the univers(es), the cosmos, and John.
Pandemic? No..."John-Demic". And my heart breaks while at the same time, it overflows with joy.
Should he pass away, he will be met by his own loved ones already in Heaven...and one young man who loved being around him, here on earth, with the last name of Mansfield.
Should he recover, his pro-living statement is even a richer, more meaningfully profound set of words.
Either way, John wins.
Den
He passed away.
And he was healed for eternity. His faith made him whole, I suppose some would say. I'd be among them...
Den
Posted by: Dennis | October 22, 2009 at 07:23 AM
I found this very heart breaking, but inspiring, but still very sad. I hope that your friend recovers soon. Sincerest prays and hopes to you all.
Posted by: Jelena | October 21, 2009 at 12:39 AM
Sending prayers for your friend's quick recovery, Den. I'm so sorry that he, his wife, family and friends are all suffering from this horrible flu. May God bless you all. Kath
PS I hope Colin feels better soon!
Posted by: Kathy | October 18, 2009 at 10:52 AM