A Reason To Celebrate

When 2025 began, I had no idea what I would be facing throughout the year. We had many challenges right from the very start. Just different trials, irritating frustrations, and insane busyness. We went from one event this year to the next with no down time in between. It seemed to intensify late in the summer when we were notified that we were on evacuation alert due to wildfires near our home, right in the middle of a day-and-night conference. We trekked back and forth to church each day, dragging what we could in case we would not be allowed back to our home. Even our dog enjoyed the services that week! To be honest, we have had so many things happen since then that I still have boxes scattered throughout our basement from that time…never having a spare minute to deal with it.

Then August 25th started a whole new journey for me. Mom and I had both been dealing with health issues throughout the summer, but it came to a head for both of us the same week. On August 25th, I headed to the emergency room in pain. It was radiating pain throughout my back and side, and I had no idea where it was coming from. The very next day, on August 26th, Mom went to see her doctor about issues that she was dealing with in the weeks proceeding. I still have the text messages to prove it — August 25: Mom - “Are you still at the hospital?”, and August 26: Me - “Are you still at the doctor’s office?” It is still mind-boggling to me that we were both hit with health issues at the same time.

Shortly after that doctor visit for Mom, she found out that she had a very rare, aggressive cancer. Although the doctor seemed confident that the cancer would be removed through surgery, Mom’s battle was short-lived…just two short months after her surgery, she passed away from this life into eternity. It still does not seem real to me.

After several visits to the hospital and doctor’s offices myself, it was determined that I was dealing with a large tumor on my right ovary (almost as large as a grapefruit). Fortunately, just before my surgery I found out that it was benign. I was still dealing with pain and discomfort during our time in hospital as Mom battled her cancer. And in less than a month since Mom passed, I ended up having surgery myself. Last Friday was D-day for me. If anyone knows me, they know that I do not have a high tolerance for pain, and I’m pretty timid when it comes to hospitals and procedures. I have always tensed up and been very nervous when facing the unknown. Even when I was giving birth to Elijah over 23 years ago, I remember the nurse looking at Steve and asking, “is she always this tense?” Oh my!

But last week, I did not experience any of those usual emotions. I was not nervous, I was not tense, I was not fearful. Although we have been through some unbearable moments lately, God has amazed me through it all. I know that I know that He has been the One holding me through all of the pain and difficulties. In myself, I would just crumble. But His presence has been so real to me in our trials this year.

As I was waiting for surgery, my blood pressure was checked and it was my usual low pressure. No sign of nervousness. I walked into the operating room and laid down on the small table chatting with the medical team until the anesthesia kicked in. Although I did not know what to expect in surgery, as I had never had surgery like this before, and although I was high risk due to my congenital condition of no IVC and collateral veins, I did not think on those things in that moment. I felt the peace of God surrounding me through it all.

I have now had some time to think and reflect, as I am unable to do much of anything else at the moment! It is not easy for a busy person to stay put and recuperate, but I will try my best! I have learned through all of this not to have certain expectations in life. I am learning to just take each day as it comes…to make the most of what the Lord has given me. If I have my own expectations that may not happen at times, I will just set myself up for disappointment. In a way, I never know what to expect each day. And I am okay with that. It helps me to lean on the One who knows what’s ahead for me.

This will be a different Christmas for us. But I don’t think it will be a difficult Christmas. Jesus has carried us each and every day of this journey that we are on. We take it a day at a time, and He sees us through. I may be laid up in bed right now, but this year I am taking the time to reflect on what Christmas means to me. I will miss Mom like crazy, and I will not be able to do what I normally do at Christmas, but I am thankful for all of the good things the Lord has done for me and for the blessings that has graced us with. Christmas is about Jesus coming to this earth for us. If it were not for Him, I would not even have the opportunity to see Mom again in heaven one day. He provided the way for me to have eternal life by giving of His life here on earth and rising again. The redemption story began at Christmas. He is more than a baby in a manger, He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And He cares very much for each one of us. That is a reason to celebrate.