THE GIFT OF UNCERTAINTY
We came to Napa from southern California with a new baby, a new master’s degree and a new job. We knew no one—but came on faith with the knowledge that Lou would be using his master’s degree as an elementary school principal in Napa, and that life would be good.
And life was good. We had a second child; I was mainly a stay-at-home mom—although did a little substitute teaching—and was active in vicarious community organizations and life did unfold day after day.
However, Lou began experiencing stomach problems—pain and difficulty digesting food. He saw the family Dr. who tried different remedies, even had a hospital stay at the Queen to undergo tests and everything tested out fine but the pain and discomfort continued. Finally, our Dr. sent him to UC Hospital in San Francisco. And he received a diagnosis of stomach cancer and the prognosis was not good.
All of a sudden, we needed help. And help came—my mother flew out from Illinois to stay with our girls, the people Lou worked with came through to cover his school—fellow principals and a wonderful staff, and neighbors checked daily to find out if I needed anything as my days were spent driving back and forth to the hospital in San Francisco. This was during our first nation-wide gas crisis and people were lined up for blocks to get gas and stations frequently ran out. Our neighbor who owned a gas station, opened his pumps for me at 3 a.m. so I would have gas to drive to the city and see Lou. We were not diligent church goers, but the minister called to offer prayers as well as friends of all dominations who asked their congregations to pray for Lou. Cards and letters offering encouragement and healing arrived daily.
And Lou survived! After five years of weekly chemotherapy was given the status of cancer-free. And it was a miracle. Both of us are positive of that and came away with the knowledge that prayer had to be part of this miracle. We knew that the medical attention and the prayers that Lou and our family received by so many, is what helped Lou become healthy.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please let us all remember how powerful a simple prayer can be and how precious the gift of life will always be. Amen
Kathy Martin