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Limits
By coolgranny in The Paradox of Long Lives
September 19, 2008

As I sat on the plane headed for Seattle, Washington, I tried to feel guilty, but just couldn't.  I hadn't been able to escape with my best friend for more than 5 hours at our yearly Port A, never take off the bathing suit except to sleep get away. We have this escape down to a science and can just look at the wave action and determine if a storm will really hit.

 The first evening was great, and after several good bottles of wine I was looking forward to sleeping in.  My  friend uses the early morning sunrises to walk the beach and pray for her family and friends (me, especially.)

 I've known my sister in Christ for 26 years, and she was instrumental in getting my hub and me to compromise on a church family when Richard and I were first married. He was a Presbyterian, and the Baptists wouldn't accept his baptism, blah, blah, blah. The Methodists, however, accepted both baptisms and professions of faith, and had an open table to boot. Our little family worshipped together and learned to cover most of life with prayer.

I heard her leave and then she was back. That was some fast praying. My pal informed that the beach was gone, and water was already to the dunes. Both hubs called and suggestions (for lack of the actual verbage) were made for us to get out, get out now. Thanks to panic strickened husbands we actually beat the CC and Rockport evacuation. I had almost relaxed,

I went on to Victoria only to find my mom on the 4th of her nine lives, and I ended up spending 3 more days in the hospital before she was discharged. This is my 4th visit that actually has kept her alive since January. She is once again stable and her sassy self. Her parting comments were about my stress levels. Needless to say I informed her that it was really hard to witness the slow death of a loved one, and sometimes  pills were just needed. My hub almost died on me 4 years ago, and just when I was settling into the golden years, my father in law dies, my stepdad dies, my dad dies, and now my mom literally changes from pink to blue in front of my eyes. I know she's not going to die yet  because if I am anywhere in the vicinity, she goes directly to the emergency room via a specialist. God is  very interesting at this point in my life.

Anyhow, I left a husband without electricity until this coming Friday. I reminded him that it could have been a lot worse. My cousins and I have spent the last 8 spring breaks on the island, and my heart was just broken at the destruction of this storm. I actually cried over a little girl carrying meals after the PODS were in place. I prayed about  the sadness in my home state, and then slept on the plane. I never sleep on an airplane.

We left baggage claim, and I remarked that I was finally relaxing. I have already had such a good time that I would like to feel guilty. However, the angels that guard me remind me that I too, have limits. My stress is almost gone in just 2 days. I know I will be ready to fight the good fight when I return to a watery Texas. The first round of volunteers will be tired, and my group will do our thing. I thank God that He so totally refreshes me for His work ahead.