My rough road started 6 ½ years ago when my husband, Ward, collapsed while visiting friends at Lake Tahoe. After being resuscitated and airlifted to Reno cardiac ICU, Ward was stabilized and the daily journey of questions, decisions, and more questions began. When will he regain consciousness? Did he move his foot? Will he recognize me? It was physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting!
This long-distance rollercoaster of recovery lasted for 6 weeks before Ward was transferred to a care facility here in Napa. Fortunately, I didn’t yet have to worry about the cost of his care; Kaiser paid for everything but the transfer home! Ward was confused, not knowing where he was or understanding why. There were late night calls from staff to come reassure Ward that all was well, and every time he fell meant an ambulance trip to Kaiser Vallejo. My poor husband became more and more disoriented and I was more and more exhausted. With the growing realization that Ward was not going to recover to any version of normalcy, the worry became “how am I going manage this?” Hospice removed the necessity of ER trips and God mercifully ended Ward’s nightmare 6 years ago just as Covid quarantines would have prevented any visits.
Throughout this journey, I was never alone! In addition to family and friends who came to visit in Reno and visited Ward in the care facilities, I felt wrapped in the prayers of this congregation. If I’m honest, the road is smoother, but the journey continues. Sometimes God is walking with me and other times I’m being carried, but I’m never alone. My faith has been strengthened by the certainty that I will survive with God’s help.
Prayer: May we remember that we never walk alone. You provide help, comfort, and love wherever we go. Amen
Barbara Thompson