TWO miracles!

Thanks for all those prayers ladies!  They worked - big time.  Before you get ahead of yourself, there is not going to be a BFP announcement in this post.  BUT... I think these miracles are equally surprising and wonderful!

1. MY BROTHER!!

I have been fervently praying for my brother, his wife and their three children for years.  My older brother, Jeff, is a bit estranged from our family.  I often think of him as the prodigal son that just has not returned yet.  If you ever glance at my wedding pictures (they are pretty, you really should!), you will not see my brother in any of the pictures.  He and his family weren't there.  Very sad.  There is a huge back story, but it would be long and painful to go into it all.  Basically, when he wants to be involved with our family, he is and when he doesn't, he is totally absent.  He lives across the country as well.  He is very sporadic and you NEVER know what you will get with him.  He has hurt my parents beyond belief with some of the stunts he's pulled.  The scars are deep, but they keep loving him and trying.  Forgiveness is one of their strengths.

Jeff is notorious at not calling on big events and holidays.  No calls on birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas, etc.  He missed this Mother's Day as well and I didn't even give it much thought.  Typical Jeff.  I hate it that he hurt my mom by doing that, but I long ago gave up the notion that I could change his actions.  With my mother preparing for surgery, I had thought (briefly) about calling him and letting him know what was up.  I have not talked to my brother in a long time and I knew my mom would NOT want me to call him.  It never goes well.

Turns out I didn't need to call him.  He called, on his own, without any prompting or threat of a pending surgery (he was not aware of it yet), to wish my mom a happy Belated Mother's Day.  This might not seem like a big deal, but he NEVER calls.  NEVER.  Unless he needs something.  Granted, he was late, but still!  THIS WAS HUGE!!!  He was even pleasant and even told my mom he'd be praying for her.  Again, HUGE!!!

The call put my mom at ease.  She had wanted to talk to him before surgery, but often when she calls, it does not go well either.  Again, you just never know what you are going to get with Jeff.  So, she just had not called him yet.  She was able to talk to the grand kids (again, can be a rarity) and that makes her day so bright.  It was the perfect, pre-surgery medicine she desperately needed!!!

I consider this a small miracle.  If anyone wants someone to pray for, my brother would be a good pick!!!!  St. Rita, pray for him!

2. MY MOM!!

My mom made it through her 4+ hour surgery with flying colors!!  She was in excruciating pain the night before her surgery.  She could not move her leg.  It was literally dragging behind her when she tried to walk.  It was horrible!  She was crying out in pain several times throughout the night and was unable to move, get in and out of bed, etc.  It was not good.  She was also incredibly anxious about how things would go, if my dad would have food to eat, if he'd burn the house down while she was away, etc. etc.  But with the all the pain she had that last night, she knew that she could not put this off.

It was a LONG surgery day.  It's amazing how sitting and doing nothing but waiting is SO exhausting!  My dad and I kept busy, but it seemed we were in the waiting room forever.  We were able to finally see her in the evening last night and get this... she moved her legs without yelling out in pain... something she hasn't done in months!!!  The doctor said her pain should lessen and she should keep the use of her legs!  Whoot!!!

My emotional dad kept it together most of the day.  He has been the overly positive one about the surgery.  So, after months of seeing his wife in great pain he finally had his breakdown moment.  When my mom shifted in bed and raised her leg up without making a peep and really without even knowing she was doing it... he started to cry.  He just whispered to me, "Look, she's moving her leg! That is so wonderful!"  It was sweet.  Ahhh... high school sweethearts.  :)

I spend the majority of today with her.  I was there when physical therapy came for the first time.  They got her out of bed and standing up.  She was able to take two short walks in the hallway.  It was AMAZING.  Monday, she could not move her right leg and today she was walking, standing tall, not limping and NOT IN PAIN!!!!  Can you believe it!!??  Granted, she has incision pain from the surgery, but not the devestating pain that has been crippling her for months.  Miracle?  I think so!!!  I think that deserves a big WHOOT!

My mom will be in the hospital until the weekend then will be off to a rehab facility. I pray she continues to improve!!  Please keep her and my dad in your prayers... they have a long road ahead.

Thanks again for all those prayers... and the amazing comments from my last post.  You ladies ROCK!