Loyalty Means Lying On The Rug And Watching Her Sleep.

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I have had occasion in my life to think that dealing with dogs is infinitely preferable to dealing with some of the people I’ve been stuck with in different places. I had finally overcome that a few years ago and elevated people to the level of dogs.

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Watching over the flock.

Watching over the flock.

The last few days verified that decision. I have been amazed, overawed, overjoyed, and overcome with the outpouring of love and prayer that came from all of you, and my Facebook family, in regard to my wife and her surgery. I should not forget work friends, and most of all, blood-kin. Yup, all of you have kept her lifted up in prayer.

But there is a little dog that deserves special mention: Stormy. She was nuts when we got home from the hospital. I really suspect some kind of link between our dogs and the humans in this house. I’m not that perceptive, but on several occasions I’ve taken a dog to the vet and the other one was damaged or upset by the illness or loss of their friend. I could see it the minute I opened the door. This time around, Stormy was frantic when we got back from the hospital.

That trip was no different than if we’d gone for a morning at church. But the dog knew something was up. She was only good when she got a chance to check Kip out and make sure she was fine. Over the past two days the dog has kept her eye on Kip, often within arms length to make sure her hero is getting better.

Don’t get me wrong, the dog and I get along really well. But her full herding instinct/shepherd genetic makeup are in evidence at this moment. She just watches. Occasional trips to eat/poop/bark at enemies, but always back on watch within minutes. That makes two of us.

I’m blessed to have the friends and family in my life. I’m blessed that my wife is healing. And both of us are blessed that Stormy is there to watch over us. I’m totally in love with that: I need a keeper.

It’s Getting Brighter Now.

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0741 at the V.A. hospital is a quiet time. I’ve already had the traditional breakfast of S.O.S. (look that one up if you must) and cheesy potatoes. Now I wait.

Kip vanished down the hallway with a very nice nurse about 25 minutes ago headed toward the surgical suites, and I’m situated in what they call the family atrium. It’s a holding tank for the families from throughout the hospital. You can sit up by the desk and listen to the television drone for hours, or you can slip to the back of the joint and catch a nap, work on the computer, or stare into space and listen to the rumble of the laundry and food carts on the bricks below.

Not many people here in this area. I think it will be different in a few years when more of the Vietnam era people are a little bit older, and the Gulf-Afghanistan vets start needing more care. Right now there’s a bit of a lull as the Korean and WWII generation leave our lives and move on to Heaven. We’re all headed somewhere, I hope that’s my destination.

This is the life you lead as you head into middle age: more trips to the hospital, more illness, more time to reflect on things. When you’re 25 things go by in such a blur that you don’t have time to note them properly. When you’re closing in on 55 you pay more attention.

It’s not that you’re so much smarter or worldly: it’s that you have established a game plan for the long-term by this age. Hopefully. Some don’t have a game plan until the day they die. I hope they did it right along the way and got to know God. I hope they left a little something behind as a mark – and not a stain.

The light in this room comes from skylights. Every few minutes it gets a bit brighter around me. People are stirring and talking a bit louder – sleep isn’t as common on the benches. But night will rotate in shortly. It’s inevitable. I hope I’m ready for whatever this night brings. I hope I’m home on the couch listening for sounds that Kip is moving around a little upstairs. I hope I’m not here in this waiting room as the sun sets.

Take a minute and pray for all those in hospital waiting rooms this day. We appreciate it more than you will ever know

Prayer Warriors: Attention On Deck!

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I’m enlisting all of you to pray Monday morning as my wife undergoes “routine” surgery. Her name is Kip. She is the love of my life for almost three decades.

Your prayers are welcomed. I know this bunch prays well and often. Please pray for this good woman this morning.

That is all… Thank you.

I Had Harbored Anger In My Heart And Mike Smith Allowed Me To Repent.

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Today I wasted some time being angry with someone. Details unimportant.

When I got home, I opened an email from Pastor Mike Smith and it contained the video below. I’ve known Mike for 7 years or so. My heart healed, my anger dissolved, I was filled with love for this man of God. He’s a polar opposite to the one who’d inspired my anger. Please take a few minutes and watch this video. It was made for the Twin Cities, but it applies to anywhere in His creation. I repented for my anger.

Repentance from Daven Holmgren on Vimeo.

Have a blessed week.