Last night, Stacy and I attended "Wiggin Out" again, with much better memories from last year! Always a fun time with these girls!! (Even if I am 9 months pregnant!)
And that statement is ever-so true to this very day. My mom IS my hero. She is literally the strongest person I know, and it is amazing to witness her physical and spiritual healing throughout this past year. For those of you who aren't caught up, Mama is battling cancer. And has been for quite some time. A year ago, while undergoing chemotherapy, she had a tremendous fall, causing her to have a massive brain injury. This injury caused excessive bleeding to the brain and was barely operable. God provided her with the very best neurosurgeon, who completed a life-saving surgery that brought her back to us. Actually, God brought her back to us, but through the work of unbelievable doctors. The next few months were a blur, ones that none of us care to re-live, but the bottom line is... Mama wasn't supposed to make it. She wasn't "supposed" to come out of a coma. She wasn't "supposed" to speak again. She wasn't "supposed" to walk again. However, God had other plans.
This morning, I went to my parents house for breakfast. Mama cooked me breakfast, we drank coffee, had our usual morning chat. She walked me to the door and spoke the words she says every morning "Have a good day. I love you!" I am having trouble finding the words to express just how awesome our God is. He did this. He is fully responsible for her physical healing, for our emotional healing, for our family, and for everything we have prevailed through. As our great Physician, He deserves all praise.
It's the little things in life today that most people probably complain about or even joke about. "Why is my mom calling me..." or "Oh my gosh, Mom is on my nerves." Yall. In this moment, a year ago, and for the months to follow, I would have done ANYTHING to receive a phone call from my mom. In fact, after her first few rounds of speech therapy, Mom began using her phone again. One day she called me and I accidentally missed the call. She left me a message on my voice mail. I will never delete it. It is a fascinating reminder of her progress, her strength, and her determination to get back to her life. Things aren't necessarily "back to normal," but we are making our daily lives as normal as can be. Mama is still battling cancer. But she is still with us. God has her here with us for a reason!! The reason isn't clear, but knowing it is a part of His miraculous plan is comfort enough.
Although life is so very different for my family and I, as we have all overcome the obstacles of the past year, I am so very thankful for the gift of life. We take it for granted for too often. As I now reflect on my pregnancy, and knowing that I am 10 days (or hopefully less) from bringing a child into this world, I am overwhelmed with joy. Pure joy. God's plan for our lives doesn't always match up to how we want it to go. But instead, I have complete trust that God's plan is perfect.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
I cling to the words of the Lord. I cling to the hope of a joyful future that I have no control over. Please continue to pray for my Mom and for my family. God's mercy and prayer have been the only thing to get us through some days. She is hanging on strong, and will continue to do so until the Good Lord calls her home. Thank you all for the love and support our family has received over the past year. We cannot thank you enough for the calls, texts, cards, conversations, meals, and the list goes on.
Janice Scriber, the woman we call Mama, wife, friend, family, is *hands down* the greatest woman on earth, and I strive to be the person she is.
With much love,
MaryBeth
With much love,
MaryBeth
