Walt's Journey

Today was the two-year anniversary of my aortic dissection, or what I like to call “My Miracle”. As this particular October the 8^th approached, I am surprised at how emotional I am. I deal with some form of ailment each and every day, so to me it doesn’t seem like two years. There are times that it seems like a couple of months. As I reflect on another year of limping through life, I give praise to God each day for the extra time that He has given me. I don’t handle things correctly from time to time, but I know that when I cry out to God He will hear me.

Something that I have put more of a priority on since that day in 2010, is appreciating the time I have with Sarah, Gabe and Hope. We all are aware that we could die at any moment, but I doubt that my kids thought that when they went to bed on the evening of October 8^th, 2010, they may never see their dad again.

Something that I cherish above all else as a result of my near death experience is my close relationship with God. I came close to having the privilege of being in His presence and getting to see my Grandma Hill again, but God had other plans, and I need to accept that He knows best.

Isaiah 55:8-9:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Thank you to the friends and family that have been with me from the day this all happened. I have gained new friends through this experience, and have become more close to others. I have not been easy to get along with due to my many ailments and bouts of depression, but the Lord has certainly sent some people my way that continue to be an encouragement to me on a weekly basis. October 8^th will always be a day that I will look back on a relive some of the trauma that I went through, but I know that I have special people around me to support and pray for me.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-11:

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?

– Walt