Last Friday, another family that’s been spending a lot of time in the Avera Mckennan ICU waiting room got the bad news that their loved one..a young man in his early 20’s, had lost his battle with leukemia.
Amid their sorrow…just a few feet away..our family was rejoicing after the doctor for my 83 year old Mother-in-Law, Mary, was using the word “miraculous” to describe her remarkable turn around.
And now, 24 hours after being moved out of intensive care and into a private room, Mary is sitting up, eating and asking questions. She’s concerned about how she looks and is sort of stunned by all the attention.
In the waiting room today I noticed one of my favorite people come in. Reverend Marlin Haugrud. He’s the longtime pastor at Canton Lutheran Church. He is a gentle caring soul and wonderful dedicated minister of the gospel.
I was about to go over and tell him about the miracle that has happened to our family but he was quietly talking to a distraught woman whom I later found out was a member of his church and whose husband was diagnosed with cancer 6 weeks ago. His prognosis is grim.
Before Pastor Haugrud left, I did talk to him and introduce Mary’s family.
I also asked the age old question; why does God seem to answer some prayers and not others?
“There is no clear cut answer,” he said. “All we can do is keep praying and giving thanks.”
Then he asked if he could visit with Mary.
"Well, she’s a pretty devout Catholic but I’m sure she’d appreciate a second opinion," I said.
And of course she did.. squeezing his hand as he offered up prayers of thanks and for her continued recovery.
This will probably be my last blog entry on the subject. But I’ll keep you updated in the comments section below.
All we can say is “THANK YOU” for caring and sharing. Below is a picture of Mother Mary and all 8 kids..From left to right, Shelle, Bill, Linda, Chad, Renee, Jeff, Cynthia and Maria.