tears of joy

Matthew 6: 34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

God really wants to teach me something in the book of Matthew. He keeps bringing up chapter 6. Today I had one of my sweetest patients come to have her teeth cleaned. I loved her since we first met a few years ago. She was one of those patients who cared about my life and asked me questions. I remember telling her I was nervous because I was going to run my first 5k charity run. Before she left she gave me cash to support me. It took me totally by surprise. I was so touched by her thoughtfulness.

Today she came in looking beautiful. I found out she has ALS. She came in over a year ago whispering and hadn't had a diagnosis yet but reassured me she wasn't contagious. Now she can hardly swallow, gags easily and coughs constantly hoping not to choke. She told me she can no longer chew because of the difficulty in swallowing and can only eat applesauce and smoothies. She said she refused a feeding tube because when God is ready to take her, she will go. She told me the doctors told her she would probably live 2 years from the onset, but she's determined to live 10 years. That's when she started to cry... big tears. She told me they were tears of joy... Before long we were both crying tears of joy...

She said...
Matthew 6: 34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

She had been blessed with two (adult) children who she referred to as "Darling Daughter" and "Favorite Son". She is so sweet. She has already survived Polio and Cancer before this. We were talking about faith and her background. She told me about her Grandmother living with her and during storms her Grandmother would wake her up to hold her, singing hymns so she wouldn't be scared. She laughed when she said really her Grandmother was the one who was scared. She reminded me that there is so much to be grateful for in life and there is a lot more good than bad.

We made it through her cleaning. She is not going to rest until God takes her. It made me wonder why some lie down and die and others spend their last days going around spreading Hope. She quoted Matthew a couple of times and I'm sure this is the verse that keeps her going. Before I walked her up to the front desk we hugged and she told me not to worry about her.

I probably told you more than I needed to here, but I just want to remember my special friend today and always. I was truly Blessed by her and I know it was no coincidence that God brought her in to get her teeth cleaned today to remind me this...

Matthew 6: 34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Don't worry friends, God has everything under control!
Seize the Day!
Love,
Angie xoxo