My mother’s sister, my Aunt Betty, lives in Kingston, Ontario, where my mom grew up.  Her daughter, my cousin Cathy, lives “out west” in Cold Lake, Alberta.  [Yes, it is very cold there.]  Cathy and her husband Dave flew to Kingston for a visit.  Cathy intends to visit for a month and her husband will continue on to Newfoundland to visit his family for a few weeks.  He hasn’t been back home in 13 years!  [Dave is in the Canadian military.]  In order for us all to get to see one another we decided to meet in Parish, NY at a diner for a lunch.  It was a sunny, dry day for travel and we each made the 90-minute trip to Mapleview Family Restaurant.  We were treated so well and despite the shabby exterior our meals were overwhelmingly good and the staff was more-than-comfortable with the food allergies. 

Cathy and Dave spent too much on my kids, but we all admit that had they not brought a gift for the baby to occupy herself we’d have had a hideous meal. 

                                              Tab, Nan                                                                                                                                       

Cathy, Dave, my girls                                                                     Cathy, Dave, my boys                                        Aunt Betty, Kelly [sister], me

My beautiful cousin, Cathy has been a long-time dialysis patient and has required a good deal of medical care this year.  She was in and out of the hospital a number of times this year.  This trip was supposed to be a huge blessing for both of them.  Dave has lovingly attended to his wife through all of it. 

This morning I received an email that said that Cathy was having trouble walking last evening after returning home.  Dave noted it and took her to the emergency room in Kingston.  Cathy had surgery at 2AM to open a blocked cranial shunt.  I covet your prayers for my dear cousin.  Pray there is no lasting damage. That she will not spend her entire break in the hospital. That the doctors that care for her emergently here will fully understand the whole picture. That they can figure out why her shunt gets blocked in the first place.

Maybe the LORD has allowed this because of a difference in care she can receive in Kingston, as opposed to Cold Lake.  I do not know His plans.  But we trust in Him.

Matthew 10:30-31
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.