Everyone Needs a Team

Life sure can throw you some curve balls. My brother, battling Aplastic Anemia for some three years, was awaiting word on a bone marrow donor in March when we received some other frightening news. My husband’s Mother called to say she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. They felt they had caught it early but they insisted on removing the lump right away. Her surgery was scheduled for April – the same month my brother was hoping to finally have his donor and transplant---and the same week my husband was leaving for another deployment.

The news took our breath away. We cried, we worried and we wondered how and why. I was full of questions and worry about how I could be there for both, how I could accomplish it logistically with the girls and the many things I wanted to do to insure that both families were loved and supported. Faith over fear – I thought. And-I went into action mode.

My husband’s Mother, with her usual grace and faith, insisted that she face her breast cancer head on with the news out in the open for all to know and understand. She encouraged me to once again call on so many friends and family members that had become such fierce and loyal prayer warriors. She knew it was something I could, would and needed to do.

So, I wrote this amazing group offering yet another update on my brother paired with the news about my Mother-in-law. And as usual, their responses brought me to tears. There were e-mails of prayer, hope and comfort to me, her and my brother. Inspirational notes and cards were mailed to friends that they have never, ever met. These prayer warriors inquired about the specific prayer needs and wishes of both. They heard, they felt and they acted with simple kindness and grace. Such small gestures-that had an enormous impact on all of us.

And the love keeps on coming. Many have joined the bone marrow registry. Others simply keep writing those notes to my brother and his own family that lift their spirits on those cloudy days. Some have sent him crossword puzzles, projects, movies and magazines to pass the time in isolation. Others—simply pray… and often. It’s the simple things…

I stumbled on this great lesson while I was three months pregnant and our oldest was two. My husband deployed for a four month tour in Iraq at the height of the war. I was ridden with fear, anxiety and worry. Slowly I began sending out e-mails with his updates and asking those to pray for his safety. This wonderful group embraced our prayer needs and more. They sent notes, cards and words of inspiration to both of us. They knew just what we needed –a little bit of faith over fear. It helped to see our family through a challenging journey-one I was grateful that I did not have to face alone.

It is comforting to know that through such storms, there are those bright lights of hope and faith. We are never, ever alone on a journey. We weren’t designed to be a one man operation in a crisis or in the midst of joy. We courageously reach out and others compassionately reach back. We all need a team…and I am grateful for this one.