Visitor

 

            I wish I had mom’s permission before I make this part of the blog. I don’t feel like it is my story to tell. I hope I can do it the justice it deserves.

            I am uncertain of Dale’s age at the time, but allow me to guess between five and seven. He had a large lump on his back, and the doctor thought this growth might be cancerous. To say my parents were beside themselves with fear is putting it mildly.

            Neither Dad nor Mom was allowed to stay with Dale in the hospital the night before the surgery. I imagine they talked and cried together that night. I believe the worst fear is that you will outlive your child.

            Dad had gone to sleep, but mom kept crying and wondering what the next day would hold. I know she was hoping for the best but so very fearful of the worst. She was awake and shivering in her fear. She could not stop the cold dread of tomorrow.

            Mom finally started praying the Lord’s Prayer. When she got to “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven,” there was an angel in the room. He said four words to mom: “It will be okay.” Mom instantly stopped shivering and went to sleep.

            Early the next morning, Dad was still worried about Dale and mom told him about the angel and what he said. Dad looked at her like she had lost her mind, but Mom wasn’t worried about Dale now.

            After Dale’s surgery, the doctor told my parents it was a cyst and nothing to worry about. Dad was overjoyed with relief while mom calmly said I told you he would be fine.

            Mom later told her pastor about the angel, but he didn’t believe her either. No wonder she kept this secret for years!

            When she finally told me, I believed her and after thinking a few minutes told her that I thought the angel was preparing her not only for that day but for the years to come. She would have to deal with a lot and largely on her own.

            After I told her I believed her, Mom shared this experience a little more freely. 

            Dale has two scars where the doctor grafted his skin from his thigh to his back. I never thought about it as a child. It was just my much-adored brother, but I know every time Mom saw his back, she was reminded of that scary night when a heavenly visitor told her, “It will be okay.”