Gigi's Blog

Remember the movie Back to the Future?  I'm really only talking about the original, I don't even remember seeing the others.  In the movie the Marty McFly's family are blue collar workers struggling to make ends meet, under the oppression of Biff the owner of the company Daddy McFly works for.  Marty travels back in time with a time machine and changes his future.  

Well, I'm gonna go back in time a few days.  Holly told about our weekend together, so I guess I can talk about it too.  I don't like to share too much about private matters of others without getting there ok, unless it's Mark, then I don't care.  Now you know I'm kidding about that last comment!! Or am I????????????????  Anywho, Holly and a group of girls stayed with her Friday night.  The reason that we stayed wasn't good, but we had a good time.  Why does it so often take a situation like crisis to bring us closer?  Why did it take Holly being home alone with her daughters because Richard is staying at Janice's (who is dying) for us to say "let's have a sleepover?” But we had a fun night.  Nothing too heavy, nothing very intellectual going on.  Just eating, laughing, being silly and cramming into the smallest room to sleep.  Every time I'd say "I'm tired, I've got to go to bed."  (Which I think started at about 9:30) everybody would scream "Gina, no!"  I think about 3+ hr. later we moved into the red room.  We fell asleep about 2:30, and I'm not quite sure when Chloe and Rebekah fell asleep.  They were still laughing out loud at 2:30.  Rachel and Ali conked out the earliest.  Rachel is 6, but  Ali is 16.  Go figure.  The next morning Holly and Rich were making plans to go to Chuck-E-Cheese and Chloe begged to go.  So, I said "OK."  We went home, cleaned up and headed out.  The fact that I could even function is amazing, but I was fine.  Chloe and I were on I-85 heading towards C.E.C and an 18 wheeler came into out lane and we had to go into the very small shoulder, and I know what almost happened.  I tried to remain calm, but shook for a while.  So I want to publicly praise God for protecting us.  Holly and I just talked and the kids played and played.  We went to the pet store and toy store and then to Janice’s.  I had wanted to visit, but decided not to until she was ok with it.

When I got there and went in her room I wasn't sure what to expect.  A week before, Janice was in the hospital and it appeared she wouldn't leave the hospital.  But when I walked in she looked very good, and I was almost confused.  She looked so calm.  She looked so much better than she had in so long.  We chatted for a while and then Holly came in and suggested I sit down, so I did.  Janice and I didn't do too much mindless chatter.  We talked about her, in detail.  This is what she told me.

"Gina I know that God rescued me from the jaws of death.  The night that I was dying, I asked God to let me come back long enough to thank Dr. Murphy for all he had done for me.  The next morning when I woke up I told Dr. Murphy what I'd asked God. Dr. Murphy said 'Janice are you ready to meet Jesus? I said yes.  He said it again like he really wanted me to be sure.  I said 'YES! I'm ready.' 'OK.  Can we call hospice in.?'  I told him yes. I'm gonna do this the right way this time.  Gina this is not a bad thing.  Gina this is a good thing.  I've been thinking about this Gina.  You know all the things down here that I've wanted to do, like run in a meadow, walk through a field and pick flowers, and play with animals, Gina I think in heaven God might allow me to do these things!  You know I've felt so much love.  The love of Jesus, the love of all the people visiting.  My grandkids are here with me.  Psalm 23 says death is a shadow, Jesus has conquered death.  Gina don't forget my story.  Tell my story."

Oh my darling lady, you will not be forgotten by any person who's encountered you.  This story has so many layers and is deeper than many know.  If Janice would've died in the hospital, there wouldn't have been any closure for her family, her grandkids.  She made peace with one of her sons that had chosen to not be in her life for a while.  She told him, "Son, we don't need to worry about rebuilding.  We need to love each other from today on.  I love you and I know you love me."  Do you realize the gift that woman gave her son?  He would have lived with guilt probably the rest of his life.  But she released him from that.  I told Janice she looked so good.  More peaceful than I had seen her in years. "I've fought for too long Gina."  My goodness how wonderful God is.  He has allowed this situation to become all about Him.  The Bible says that in heaven the first will be last and the last will be first.  In this life Janice has been last.  I believe the Bible.  So, in heaven Janice will no longer be the struggling mom, and the sick grandmother, she’ll be first. 

So my back to the future isn't quite Marty McFly's.  I'm choosing to remember Janice, and hoping that her memory will influence my future.  I've seen the transformation of a person not because of a change in her circumstance, but because of a change in her trust.  What would happen to me, what would happen to you if we trusted God 100%?  Would our facial expressions change? Would our anxieties disappear?  Would our peace return?  We will never know if we don't try. 

One last thing.  Rebekah wrote an article in the Gaston Gazette.  Well actually it's an entry for her Dad to be named "Dad of the Year." In it, she talks about everything that Richard is doing for Janice.  I’m gonna post Holly’s email telling how we can all vote for her.  Thx.

“Hey everyone! Rebekah wanted to enter Richard in the world's greatest dad contest on the gazette website. So we did it, and it’s kinda late in the game, but I couldn't tell her no. Go to www.gastongazette.com and click on the world's greatest dad page (front page) and go to the second page and read her sweet lil story and vote for Richard:) Thanks Holly:”

Psalm 23

A David Psalm

 1-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
   You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
      you find me quiet pools to drink from.
   True to your word,
      you let me catch my breath
      and send me in the right direction.

 4 Even when the way goes through
      Death Valley,
   I'm not afraid
      when you walk at my side.
   Your trusty shepherd's crook
      makes me feel secure.

 5 You serve me a six-course dinner
      right in front of my enemies.
   You revive my drooping head;
      my cup brims with blessing.

 6 Your beauty and love chase after me
      every day of my life.
   I'm back home in the house of God
      for the rest of my life.

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