Life Is A Gift

I see my grandparents once a week.  Claire is a very fortunate girl and gets to spend one day a week with her great grandparents.  So last week when I picked Claire up in the afternoon my Grandma mentioned that my Grandpa had just had a stress test since he recently noticed he gets out of breath quickly.  The stress test showed some abnormalities and the doctors recommended doing a heart catheterization procedure. 

I listened to my Grandma and expressed my concern, but out of the corner of my eye I was watching Grandpa as he scurried around after Claire and went about doing his little outdoor projects that he always has going.  I thought to myself that nothing must be seriously wrong; he is so active, bright, and always up to something.  Little did anyone know but there were serious health concerns lurking around, just waiting to be found and addressed.

Thursday night I received upsetting news from my mom.  Grandpa had his heart catheterization and the doctors found some major problems.  Problems requiring open heart surgery the next day.  Ugg, there was a knot in my chest and tears welled up in my eyes after I got off the phone with my mom.  How could this be?  He is so busy, happy, and hardworking; how could he have something so serious going on? 

The next day surgery went well and now he has a long recovery road ahead of him.  A good friend and I were talking about everything the day of surgery.  Her grandfather also went through the same surgery several years ago and has felt wonderful ever since.  She assured me that it is a long recovery road, but with a great outcome.

Moments when I am reminded about how fragile life is always seem to blind side me.  I try to find the positive in life, appreciate things, and count my blessings.  Yet God has a way of reminding me that you cannot plan for everything and that life truly is a gift.