2011-05-13

Part II - Velma Dinkley Makes a Miraculous Recovery





I've been absent from my blog recently while I kept a bedside vigil for my sister who was in a coma due to complications after brain surgery (see My Sister is Velma Dinkley). 

I've always described myself as an eternal optimist and I thought my wellspring of hope and optimism was inexhaustible.  Turns out, I was wrong.  Perhaps the death of my parents had caused a crack in the reservoir that let my faith seep out undetected.  Perhaps it was the fear of losing the last member of my original family that eroded my mighty optimism.  Whatever the cause, I've never before experienced such despair.

Day after day, my sister remained in a coma, her life hanging not by a thread, but by the multiple plastic tubings that fed her oxygen, and nutrients, and medicines.  Day after day, the rain poured down as I drove through the traffic to be by her side, spray rising off the pavement from the wheels of trucks, my windshield wipers struggling to clear my vision.

And I was blind; blinded by rain and tears, and by my own focus which was zoomed in to the pin point centre of my destination - not the city, nor the hospital, the room, nor the bed, just my sister.

Then one day, the rain stopped, the sun came out, and my sister awoke.  As I stood by her bed marveling at her lucidness, she expressed her joy to me - joy in seeing me, joy in the sweet taste of water in her mouth, joy in being alive. 

I looked out the hospital window and was surprised to notice that the world had changed during the eleven days of my sister's coma.  The bleak grey of a long winter had been replaced by the fresh green of Spring as the trees were now budding with new leaves and flower blossoms.  The rain had brought life back to the earth and I shared my sister's joy.  The sight of the those trees bursting with new life brought a realization to me - while I had been blind with my grief and despair, hope had always been raining down around me.



Now, for the PERFECT song that matches our joy PERFECTLY, here's Nina Simone singing Feeling Good.  Enjoy!





26 comments:

  1. How absolutely wonderful! I'm so happy for you.

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  2. Aww, that is the most marvellous news ever! I am so chuffed for you and your sister... here's wishing her a full and complete recovery.

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  3. AnonymousMay 13, 2011

    Joy!!! You've described it perfectly. I'm so happy for you and your sister. I look forward to hearing more. Joy indeed!

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  4. AnonymousMay 13, 2011

    One more thing-- beautifully written. Gorgeous really.

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  5. Great news. I'm so pleased for you both. Your words paint a very vivid picture.

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  6. taye NewmanMay 13, 2011

    I very much enjoy reading your blog... all the best to Velma!

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  7. Fantastic news.. may she continue on the road to a full recovery

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  8. Thanks everyone! I brought her home from the hospital yesterday. She's doing really well.

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  9. Glad your sister recovered Thank God!

    Hi! I'm following you from Social Parade!I hope you visit me and return the
    follow:0)

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  10. WOW - I just ran across your blog and read it. All I can say is WOW! I will be following you.

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  11. Good news, and beautifully written. Here's hoping for a full recovery!

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  12. I've never read a more lovely way to express hope! You have quite a way with words. Those 11 days must have seemed an eternity!

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  13. Kara, this is my first visit here. I read this post, then the one from April. My God, what you've been through. I'm so happy to read that your wonderful "Velmi" is back with you. My good wishes and love to you both. And on a separate note, your writing is really powerful and beautiful. I look forward to reading more and now I'm going to go click on your "follow" button.

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  14. Kara, I haven't been reading any blogs for the last month so missed all that's been going on in your life. I'm so happy that your sister is on the way to recovery. I can't imagine what you've been going through. Thinking of you both and hoping all continues to improve.

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  15. Just found your blog. Wow. What a miraculous story. And beautiful writing. Good wishes to you both.

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  16. Oh, thank goodness! How emotional. I hope you are taking care of yourself too!

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  17. Happy day! A gift of family.

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  18. Oh Kara!!!!! That is soooo very wonderful! I want to run right on over and give you a big hug, I'm so happy! Thank you God for blessing my friend and her sister. What a gift. What an amazing gift. Love to you!!!

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  19. Oh, thank goodness! How emotional. I hope you are taking care of yourself too!

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  20. WOW - I just ran across your blog and read it. All I can say is WOW! I will be following you.

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  21. Fantastic news.. may she continue on the road to a full recovery

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  22. Great news. I'm so pleased for you both. Your words paint a very vivid picture.

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  23. Joy!!! You've described it perfectly. I'm so happy for you and your sister. I look forward to hearing more. Joy indeed!

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  24. Thanks, Melanie. It was a pleasure to write it :)

    Kara

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