An Unexpected Christmas Present
The moment we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived.
“Shirley, when will you finish this pack of pills?”
“Thursday, and I will need another pack.”
“Well, your insurance finally approved your surgery … and I have an opening Friday.”
PAUSE
“Um …” nervous laughter … “This Friday?”
“Yes, that is all I have available. Would you like to schedule your surgery for that day?”
Another pause, as inside I’m screaming “OH MY GOSH – CHRISTMAS IS MONDAY!!!” before finally responding again.
“Sure … “
I sat there in disbelief as the nurse proceeded to tell me that they just received notice of the long-awaited insurance’s approval. She talked of appointments, procedures, pre-op, post op, scheduling with the hospital. Meanwhile, my head was swimming, and I could feel the anxiety building in my chest.
After scheduling all the necessary pre-op appointments, I placed the phone down for a moment and just sat there in silence. Then, I called my husband, who seemed even more upset than I was.
Why did we react this way when we wanted the surgery? For months we have tried to persuade the insurance company, and we have fought them tooth and nail the entire time. Now, finally after three months, they approve! Why this reaction? Because it’s major surgery, with possible risks and complications … and quite frankly, the fear of the unknown SCARES US!
I have received an unexpected Christmas present this year.
This week has been filled with appointments, anxiety meds, pep talks to my husband (and myself), reassuring my children, and doing a LOT of praying!
Would you please take a moment out of your time to say a prayer for me, as I go through this Friday at 10:45 a.m.? Please also pray for the doctor, nurses, anesthesiologist, and basically each and every person on the medical team that will be tending to me? Thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart!
I realize this is major surgery. I have known that for quite some time, but it was concreted in my mind today as the doctor went through every detail of the procedure. I was informed of the risks and pray I do not have any thing bad happen to me before, during or after the surgery. I have two children that need me, and I pray that God allows me many, many, many more years on this earth with them!
Thank you for taking the time to read this and pray, if you will, for a little ole Southern girl who is trying not to shake in her boots over here.
I’m clinging to Jeremiah 29:11 and the knowledge, too, that God is the ultimate physician. He is in control, and I know He will have His hands on me and on the surgeon guiding his every move so that everything goes smoothly. I have confidence in this doctor, and my faith in God is strong as well.
This unexpected Christmas gift will, hopefully, enable me to have much better days ahead and be in good health as we will soon be ringing in 2018.
Adored
She sits in the dark brown leather recliner, book in hand, totally engrossed in the daily devotional reading. Every morning has started this way since giving her the Adored daily devotional. Many times before, she picked up my devotional books and flipped through them. Now she has her very own that speaks to her heart and is specifically for her age group.
Is there a special little one in your life that needs to hear the message as brought forth in this daily devo? Wouldn’t it just thrill your heart to find your child, pre-teen, or teenager reading this book all on their own and not just because you’ve asked them to?
The thing is, she hasn’t just picked this book up once and then lost interest. This has been a book she’s continued to go to in the mornings.
What a way to start the day!
Special thanks to Fly By Production/Propeller for this precious gift that my daughter has come to adore! How appropriately titled … how she feels, the message the book relays to her, and the devotional entitled Adored 365.
#MeToo
I said I wasn’t going to address this topic since it’s been all over the news, radio, and talk shows! I didn’t want to join them, but here I sit typing these words on my laptop. Why? Because in the mist of all of this that has come to light recently, especially with talk of Matt Lauer, someone pointed the question directly at me,
“Shirley, have you ever been sexually harassed at work?”
I paused for a moment because I honestly just wanted to forget it ever happened. I didn’t want to “re-live” it, yet I didn’t want to blatantly lie to this person either. I took a deep breath before I continued answering,
“Yes, I have.”
They turned all the way around as if they were completely shocked and just stared at me as they asked,
“Really?!”
The surprised look on their face was strictly because they knew my former employer and who was “in charge” at that facility. He asked if I ever reported the sexual harassment, but I told him that another situation was brought to the executive director’s attention, yet nothing was done! Therefore, I knew nothing would be done about that situation either. I worked within the “good ole boy” system, and the two individuals that crossed the line at work had been employed there for years longer than I at that point. I knew those individuals were tighter with those in charge and the higher-ups would side with them. So, instead of putting in a formal sexual harassment complaint against them both, I decided to spare myself the agony of describing the unwelcome advances and encounters. I left that job that threatened to steal my sanity with all I had to endure, and it was my hope to leave that nightmare behind.
My husband was not fully aware of what took place behind those walls in small offices. The desks were positioned in such a way that you were trapped once someone came into your office, blocking the only entrance and exit.
It started with uninvited comments, at first. Then, knowing they were at an advantage when you were trapped behind that desk, they would get extremely too close for comfort. After invading my personal space, they decided to push their luck even more with the uninvited hugs. To say it was uncomfortable and provoked extreme anxiety within me is an understatement! I felt like I was always on edge while at work, and it was always on my mind after hours on how to avoid being alone in my office with them behind closed doors! The best thing I ever did was leave that job!
I did not publicly post #MeToo on my personal social media page because I didn’t want to be known as “that” person. I didn’t want people to question why I didn’t report it back then, as it’s been five years ago now. I also didn’t want to be on trial for what I may have done, in some people’s minds, to invite the advances. There is a lot of victim blaming and shaming that goes on, which makes the person feel 100 times worse than they already do! First of all, no one should ever have to endure any type of bullying or sexual harassment PERIOD, but especially in the work place! Secondly, it isn’t the victim’s fault that someone tried to take advantage! I wasn’t wearing inappropriate cleavage showing clothing or dresses that hardly covered leaving nothing to the imagination. Instead, I was very conservative with my clothing, and I was not someone who flirted. I was actually the opposite and was known as “Miss Goody Two Shoes.”
My point in sharing this today is to let you know that I’ve been there. I did not invite the advances, nor did I enjoy them at all. When I saw what management allowed or turned a blind eye to, I knew I had to get out of that toxic and unhealthy work environment! It wasn’t my fault. I didn’t do anything to encourage it. And I got OUT before it went from sexual harassment to sexual assault!
If you have been affected by someone doing something against your wishes, I want you to know that you are not alone! It is not your fault! And you will find nothing but compassion here!
