Well not to rub it in to those of you looking at more white stuff this evening, but look what was in my yard today!

Two weeks ago we had an ice storm. This weekend we had springlike weather, flowers, and our first baseball practices with the boys.

Walking the yard today, I think the big tragedy may be my gardenia bush near our deck. The frost just ravaged the leaves. It is mostly brown now, and I don't know if it will recover. We also took some damage to the shed, and it needs roof repair now. Hopefully I can teach myself to fix it without too much trouble.

This all just reminds me life is so precious, and our journey in the world so tenuous.

See we're still praying for a lady our age who after having her fourth child in December collapsed in the parking lot at our children's homeschooling music group. Her husband, knowing she was not feeling well that day was with her and immediately started CPR. The ambulance came and she went off intubated to the hospital. All this while her four children sat in the van...again a little miracle since friends nearby swooped them up and took them home for safety. 70 minutes later .... yes 70 minutes later.. her heart started working again on its own. At first there appeared to be no brain activity...and they they tested again the next day....and found some hope.

By the third day she moved her feet, hands and made sounds. She even wanted to know if the baby was hungry. A little over two weeks later she is teasing her husband, who still sits at her side. She knows her children and family. She thinks it is 1996...but she is alive (and with children who were not born yet in 1996) and moving towards recovery. Three doctors already said this is a miracle, even compared her to Lazarus more than once.

I told told my wife I was satisfied a miracle occurred when her husband was at her side that day...and even though feeling queasy she went along to help him get the kids to music. (probably knew Dad would get the times messed up...I know the drill because my wife writes down everything for me and tells the kids they are my alarm clock).

The cause? An extremely rare injury to an artery resulting from childbirth in December.

When told about the cause...she said without hesitation the child was worth the cost.

This my friends is a miracle we should all take note of. We are witnessing a husband and wife who gave all without question to each other, and a witnessing their faith journey with us out here on the outside of their family.

For my wife and I it reminded us to love every moment of our lives. They could be us. Our children could be theirs. It reminded us we need to be living our lives the best we can, because in a flash we could be meeting Jesus.

If you can, add a Marrietta family to your prayers . They have a long way to go before the healing is done.

If you envisioned the scene, and you shed a year of sorrow and joy just hearing this love story...let this miracle help you be better than you were before for the rest of your lives. I think the Lord will be pleased, and help his family even more.

-ehw

P.S. X-E1 with 60mm macro.