The End is Simply Another Beginning

Before I get started, please vote for best book cover, Gemini Rising at http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7253.Best_Book_Covers_2011?format=html&page=2. Of course, that's only if you like the book cover. I thank you in advance.

Last week was one out of the record books. I woke up Sunday morning with a fever of 104. The next thing I knew I was in the hospital, hooked up to every antibiotic under the sun, with a diagnosis of sepsis.

Sepsis is blood poisoning and is life threatening. I've never been in the hospital before except to have my kids. Monday night I told God that if it was my time to go, I was okay with it. Funny thing is, I meant it. I never knew I would be so sanguine about leaving this planet.

The nurses were wonderful, my husband was ace, and my kids let me know how much I was loved. For that, I thank everyone.

I made this episode a time for reflection. Especially since I couldn't get out of bed without grabbing my buddy (IV). Often I would stare out the window and just think of all the things that were right with my life.

The mountains were green, the trees waved in the wind and at night the stars peeked in my window. The nurses would ask if I wanted the blinds closed and I'd shake my head. If this was to be my last night on the planet I wanted to go out with stars in my eyes.

By the third day, I'd decided that it wasn't my time to go and I'd better get out of bed. I refused the morphine and all narcotics then begged my husband to get me up and walking. Of course, I'm curious so I went through the door marked Staff Only.

I figured that for the amount of money they were going to get, no place in the hospital was off limits for me. I shuffled through the administrative building nodding and smiling. I walked probably a quarter mile before I gave up and headed back to bed.

All in all it wasn't a bad experience. I learned I wasn't afraid to die and that my husband and kids loved me. I also learned a little patience and that in the future it was probably best if I take care of myself instead of going at life gung-ho.

Then again, that's not really me.

So thank you for the prayers and the phone calls. They are greatly appreciated. Life is wonderful and without question, worth living. The overall lesson I learned is that the end is just a new beginning.

One last thing: On my way out of the hospital the nurse asked me, "How do you explain that you had sepsis on Monday and you're leaving the hospital on Thursday?"

I smiled and thought a moment. "Prayer," I said simply. "Lots and lots of prayers."

Good reading!