Calm Before the Storm

I can't count the number of times we have sat it the waiting room waiting for the doctor to come give us the results of Dad's latest heart cath. Each time he was wheeled away my stomach turned to knots and the anticipation of the next blow would build. The news was never good, but for so many years, that has been the reality. We simply prayed that God would carry Dad just a few more years.

Eight years ago Dr. Torre came into our life. That is when the discussion of a heart transplant began. Each time Dr. Torre would walk out of the operating room we would wait to hear the news and decide what to do next. For most of those eight years, a heart transplant was far in the back of every one's mind. Dr. Torre has provided my father with exceptional care. He is a terrific physician. None the less, we always knew that there was only so far the medical profession could go with my Dad's weakening heart. One day my Dad would need the miracle of a new heart.

So here we are today. Waiting. Praying. We spend our days as a family reminiscing about the time we have had together and hopeful about what is yet to come. But as Dad was wheeled away this morning for his heart cath, there was an unusual calmness. No knots. No fear of what news we would hear next. It was an odd but good feeling. We have surrendered ourselves to the process. We know what's next. It may be scary, but it is the new reality. It may be stormy for a while, but there is sure to be a rainbow when all is said and done!