Aunt Nancy

Last Saturday around 2:30 pm we got a phone call from my cousin saying that my Aunt Nancy had a stroke and was on her way to the hospital. She suffered a pretty severe hemorrhagic stroke and had surgery to reduce the swelling and put in some drains and since then has been in critical condition at the Neuro ICU.  She is responsive at times, but she is fighting to open her eyes and really to progress anymore - that is what we need her to do.  So today my entire family is participating in a family fast for her.  

I explained to my girls last night what was going on and it was so sweet to hear them each pray for her before they went to sleep.  This morning I opened our fast in a family prayer and have been turning my thoughts to her today.  I've always had a good relationship with my Aunt Nancy - she's a pretty remarkable woman and I used to visit her at her office at BYU while I was a student there.  She would listen to my woes and offer advice or just a sympathetic ear.  But what I am truly grateful for now is the time she and I spent together when we were taking care of my grandmother before she passed.  Nancy and I were together pretty much none stop caring for someone we loved together.  After grandma had passed and we began to plan the funeral I remember sitting at my mom's kitchen table and Nancy with tears in her eyes putting her hand on mine and telling me how proud she was of the woman I had become. 

That memory has played over and over in my head this week and I am so grateful we had that time and I am honored she thought so highly of me.  I don't need riches or gold - I just need a family who loves me and I have been blessed with that. 

So our prayer to Heavenly Father today is that my Aunt Nancy will be strengthened and she will heal and be able to open her eyes.  We also pray that her family will be comforted and strengthened during this trial.  Love you Aunt Nancy!