Hello:

With great anticipation, I was excited for October 9th to come! No, it wasn’t just that my oldest grandson was turning 17, but it was the day I was to have surgery on two hammertoes on my right foot.

What! Who would look forward to such a thing? Me! For years, I have had this problem that became more and more painful and downright ugly. My one toe was like a jackknifed semi, and the other was sliding under the jackknifed toe. The grandchildren would get bug-eyed and say, “Grandma, what’s wrong with your TOE?!”

So the day was set to correct this, and there was much to prepare for. Yes, prayer first, which is wise in any decision you make. Second was Tom.

Why him? Well, he would become the chief cook and bottle washer for six weeks. Yep, six weeks. 

I bought food. Lots of food. I cooked a lots of food. I froze lots of meals. I cleaned the house. Washed windows. Washed curtains. I knew two things, Tom didn’t like to shop, and sure as the cows come home in the evening, he didn’t have time to clean the house and take care of me, cook, and run a ministry too.

We kind of led two different lives, it seemed. Tom lined up prayer support, and I lined up the natural support. We were a team. Everyone needs a team!

I rented a walker and found some crutches at the thrift store. The walker was humbling and a realization, a light bulb moment of reality, of what was about to come to fruition.

The morning of October 9th was warm and sunny. Tom drove me to the front doors of the hospital, we kissed, and I went in to get some new straight toes.

I was nervous, but the nurses were kind and assuring. Note to self: always try to be kind and reassuring.

Multiple nurses, anesthetists, and one surgeon later, I wake up with a foot that looks like a stuffed burrito with a white-headed pin sticking out of it.

“How do you feel?” a kindly curly-headed nurse asks.

“Stoned.” My ex-hippy lifestyle comes back to me.

They chuckle, and I ask for something to drink. My throat hurts so bad and is so dry.

The doctor comes to visit his “Burrito” and tells me I have a shorter toe now through a little modification. He inserted one removable heavy gauge steel pin and one tiny steel implant, and I was good to go. Well, hallelujah!

My journey to this point started many moons ago, but there is now a new and different journey to complete. I have found out, you can plan your journey, but walking it out can be more of a surprise eye-opener. Basically, a shocker.

I was in a quite vulnerable position. I had to trust the Great Physician. I had to trust my beloved caretaker. I had to trust heavenly prayers prayed. No matter what things looked like, I had to relax and know this was going to end well.

Before I left the “burrito factory,” they fitted me with this massive black and heavy walking boot. Three folds and six straps. Two steel bars. A three-inch high heel and a one-inch toe for heel-touch walking only. It weighs about a hundred pounds, too!

That attractive military boot stays on 24/7. Sigh … Long journey.

I try not to complain or whine, for Tom is the true trooper. He brings strong creamed coffee upstairs every morning. I do check for chest hair occasionally. Ha ha. He delivers his meals and sometimes eats with me. He cooks meals that are so tasty. He is a way different cook than me, so each meal is truly a treat. FYI, he makes very good gravy.

A week after my surgery, a week spent lying in bed with my foot elevated and strong pain meds in the evenings, I set off for my first post-op visit. Good report! Praise God

Then we return home, and my body crashed. My mind crashed. What?! I was doing so well. What is this? Why? How come?

What’s going on? 

Tom knew I wasn’t doing so well and knows just what I really need, PRAYER! Mostly unbeknownst to me, he calls, texts, and emails men and women of prayer. 

As I try to regain physical bearings and spiritual orientation, I feel a truly buoying effect. Something, Someone is holding me up. 

I came around, so to speak, and Tom sent me the texts and emails responses and love. 

No matter the reason or cause, darkness came, but the Light caused it to recede. Never underestimate the clout, authority, and force your prayers have for others. God also has the ability to wake someone up in the middle of the night to pray for you. Give, and it shall be given.

So as my journey continues, I will press on and keep going. Why stop before completion?

Learning to dance in a different way,

Susan