Sunday, April 5, 2015

Now the Green Blade Riseth

After a pretty dim January and February, we were all hoping for a more positive March and April. The highlight so far was one good week in early March, and unfortunately now we're back to what Mom called the "dark ages" in a blog post she never published.

Over the past week or two, Mom has taken a turn for the worse, culminating in a trip to the ER this weekend. There are a bunch of things going on that may or may not be related, all making life pretty miserable outside of the moments of levity and fun with family and friends. (thank you all)

The problems (muscle tightness inhibiting walking, confusion, racing heart, pain) may be related to drugs, or they could just be the leukemia taking over. That is what the doctors are trying to figure out as they work to stabilize her and get medications out of her system. She is currently in the cardiology ICU after a spike in heart rate.

Case is in Chattanooga with dad, and Kit is flying in today. Unless something changes, I'll be heading that way tomorrow evening.

Though of course we hope for some miracle (it is Easter after all), it is seeming like the best outcome may be getting her stabilized and comfortable to send us all home with hospice support. I know she has felt and appreciated all of your love and encouragement along this journey, and I ask for prayers of peace and comfort for Mom at this point.

It is hard to leave her alone in the ICU when visiting hours are over, but I am reminded that she is not truly alone. Please remember her especially in those moments, when she is physically on her own.

We also wanted to share with you one of her favorite hymns, "Now the Green Blade Riseth," which incidentally is one that we sing at St. Timothy's almost every Easter. She says it is her favorite because it was always all of our favorite. She loves singing, and unfortunately for her, we are all pretty terrible at it, though we sang this one fairly well ever since learning it in youth choir.

Now the green blade rises from the buried grain,
Wheat that in the dark earth many years has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

In the grave they laid Him, Love Whom we had slain,
Thinking that He’d never wake to life again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

Up He sprang at Easter, like the risen grain,
He that for three days in the grave had lain;
Up from the dead my risen Lord is seen:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

When our hearts are saddened, grieving or in pain,
By Your touch You call us back to life again;
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again, like wheat that springs up green.

We all listened to this version today (useful because it has subtitles): http://youtu.be/g-5Bi2jM40E

5 comments:

  1. We love you, Wanda. Peace be with you and Pat and your "wanderful" children.

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  2. So much love to all of you. Holding you very close in my heart.

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  3. Thoughts and prayers for Wonderful Wanda and Pat, Kit, Callie, and Case.

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  4. Wanda, God is with you and your family. Trust in His will.

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  5. Forgive my delayed response. This one hit me hard. Thank you for sharing the hymn; I had never heard it! It is beautiful, so moving, so appropriate. Prayer for Protection: The Light of God surrounds us. The Love of God enfolds us. The Power of God protects us. The Presence of God watches over us. Wherever we are, God IS; and all is well.

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