It’s been over a month since my last post and as much as I would have loved to write more, time escaped me. With summer in full swing I spent most days keeping the boys busy with trips to local activities and friend hangouts while also ensuring that the house was ready to show. It was a lot of work!
So as mentioned in my previous post, making plans is an essential part of any big change. Matt and I had a general idea of what date we were planning to head out west and had begun sharing that date with friends when we had to pivot our plans (yes, it’s okay to scream “PIVOT!” in your head) . After spending an evening mapping out our cross-country trip, Matt received a call from his dad (Grandpa or Jimmy) who shared that he had received a cancer diagnosis with very little hope. A glioblastoma that was inoperable. The plans we’d made unraveled and we paused all our moving momentum. Not to say we weren’t moving, but we knew we needed to take a step back and find out more information about his diagnosis and how we could support him during this time.
I felt this pause had purpose. It was like God was whispering, “Not Yet…”
First, we needed to assess the state of Matt’s dad and then determine what could be done after a prognosis was determined. After talking with an entourage of Jimmy’s closest family and friends we decided he needed to get a second opinion from Moffitt Cancer Research Hospital in Tampa.
Second, we needed to slow down with our move. When selling a home, I’ve found that there’s the constant thread of stress that just hums each and everyday during the process. So many questions about the process like, “is my house good enough?” or “will we get the price we’re looking for?” or “will they be good neighbors to our great neighbors?”.
So two things became clear to us as we navigated next steps: 1. Take care of Grandpa 2. Slow Down
So we did, Matt and I shifted our perspective and instead of packing the house, we spent a day nearly every weekend with Jimmy. We helped get his affairs in order and soaked up our time together. During the week, I spent less time worrying about the house and more time hanging with friends. Friendships grew stronger, my heart felt lighter and although we were still working toward our goal of moving, We took things day by day. It was a relief actually, I felt less frantic and at peace with it most days.
There were still moments when Matt and I would try to discuss our plans but most of our ideas started with, “well if this… then this…”. After minutes of useless back and forth with scenarios and outcomes that we had ZERO control over, we would often throw up our hands and say “well it’s not up to us. God’s clearly got this.” In moments of frustration, I would pray for comfort and peace. It times of heartache over Jimmy’s diagnosis, I would pray for healing. Every internal conversation, where I couldn’t form the words I would ask for help from God, guidance to get through the day without worry for the future. Those prayers and my time spent talking with God and reading my bible were my comfort.
I clung to verses like:
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
-Matthew 6:34 ESV
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
-Proverbs 31:25 NIV
My heart truly believes God had his hand in all parts of this journey, I could see it, I could feel it. Jimmy visited Moffitt faster than we anticipated, his consultation actually gave us hope that it was not a glioblastoma but an Astrocytoma. We received a call just two days later that he was scheduled for surgery less than a week after his consultation. His surgery was a success and they got 80% of his tumor. His recovery in the hospital was quick and he stayed just one night in the hospital before they discharged him. The surgical team and nursing staff were exceptional. They were so patient with him and comforting to our family. His official diagnosis was a Oligodendroglioma. At this time, he’s at home recovery and back to more of the Jimmy we all know. God is so good, and we continue to be astonished and humbled at this experience. We had no hope and received an outcome that was mroe than we ever imagined.
So our plans to Utah have shifted, we’re actually heading out in a few days when we close on our current home. Nearly 3 weeks after our initial plan, but our hearts are full of hope and love as we leave. We know that Jimmy will still need support so a few trips back and forth may be necessary during his recovery. But I pray that we continue to choose seek out moments where God is moving in our lives in big ways (like a cancer diagnosis) or in the small ways in our everyday lives.
Many are the plans in the mind of a mad, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
– Proverbs 19:21
More travel posts to come. Thanks for reading.
Delightfully Bold Life | DBL 