Second By Second

-
Second by second and minute by minute, I feel the love of a thousand close friends and a family so close and so full of love that nothing else matters other than the threat to one of our own.

Hour by hour and day by day we figure out what it means to be alive and go from the valley floor to the mountain top and sometimes back again at roller coaster, break-neck speeds. All of life is present in the span of the tiny period of time that usually makes up a day.

Each laugh is more pronounced. Every tear that sticks in your throat, threatens to close off your mind. And the body responds with a strength that hides until it is truly needed.

That the Lord provides the strength in such moments is the true miracle of it all, and that such a strength lives inside of us is the clear and present presence of something so strong and so unworldly that we wonder why we don't tap into it more and more during the routine spinning of the days.

Second by second, my brother recovers.

Moment by moment the world spins around.

Never before have we been so aware.

Keep the prayers coming.

There's a long way to go.

Find the strength inside of you to battle through and any of the usual muddying up routines that threaten your own daily plight.

The strength is there... I'm finding it every second of the way.

And for God's Sake... love those around you with every ounce of strength you have.

The rest of it doesn't matter.

Truly.

Comments

deafjeff said…
I wish I could get the toughts out of my head like you. I have thousands of things to say and they seem to just....jumble? The memories overcome me and the tears make my eyes shut, but I know, am convinced he will be with us soon, playing golf and busting balls. Faith and hope and hard work and knowing we all love him will hopefully lighten his load.
30 January, 2009
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I be...
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C...
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more