Waiting…

Once again, I thank everyone who is offering prayers for Jane’s children. They will need your prayers for a long time.

Yesterday I learned that when it was learned that Jane was sick, the craftsmen of the parish immediately went to work on her house, an old house badly in need of repair everywhere. As you can imagine, a woman left by her husband with a (then) 7, 2 and 1 year old had no money or time for serious home and yard work. My understanding is that the Knights of Columbus and the members of our parish who are plumbers, painters, tile-workers, firefighters, basically took over the house (the kids have been either at the hospital or the elderly grandmothers’ while this has been going on) and they are renovating every room – the kitchen, the bathroom have been gutted and are being re-done, every room is being painted, closets improved, bookshelves put up. New fixtures and appliances, everywhere. When the kids go back to the house, without their mother, it will be a very different place than the one in which they grew up. Everyone is sort of saying the same thing – it’s too bad Jane won’t get to enjoy it – but no one had expected things to move as quickly as they have.

I know that some sort of fund is being established, but when last I spoke to the pastor it hadn’t been finalized. I’ll keep you posted, for those of you interested.

I spoke for a long time with Jane’s 80-something year old mother last night. She seems in such shock that I worry for her. When my brother died last January, even though we knew it was coming, had known for months, there was still a sense of unreality about it. For Jane’s mom and kids, it must be a hundred times worse. I worry about her mother because I don’t think it’s really going to “hit” her until she goes into the wake…which will begin tomorrow.

Yesterday, my plan was to run the few errands and then find out more information about which hospital Jane was at, and visiting hours. I had stopped by church for Adoration. And I never pray telling God “what to do…” It’s always, “your will be done,” or “thy grace is sufficient,” most of the time it is simply silence – I pray nothing but my love. Yesterday I was praying very differently. I was pleading for a life to be spared. I’ve never prayed that way before. There is lots to think about, lots going on.

I don’t know what to say to all of you who have emailed me (some of you with very touching stories of similar situations you have gone through with friends and family) or left comments and prayers, here. You are so very kind. I appreciate it and hope you will remember these kids in your prayers for a long time.