There is a saying, “We see the world, not as it is, but as we are.” I try and remind myself of that perspective when I come across someone who is negative, angry, or fearful. That is their view of the world but it does not need to be mine.
I believe that we are supported by Spirit in many ways. Some would call it coincidences and others might say it was guardian angels. I believe that everyone has a “Spirit Team” waiting to support us if we are willing to open ourselves to the idea of it and ask for assistance.
My dad has been in and out of the hospital regularly with his chronic health issues. Those hospitalizations caused other problems leading to more hospitalizations. It has been exhausting as a caregiver.
During his October hospitalization, a surgeon suggested a new surgery to fix his problem. The proposed surgery felt like a great answer, but my dad is frail and it would be a risk. I wondered if it was better to wait until after the holidays for his surgery in case there were surgery complications or he died. It was a guessing game of the known risks and more hospitalizations versus whether he could come through another surgery okay. I was torn. I put out a wish and prayer to Spirit for help.
While undecided, I decided to take small steps like getting him to a cardiologist for surgery clearance which went fine. At the beginning of November, he woke up feeling sick. I had a conference call with my family to discuss taking him to the ER again when I got a call on my other line from the surgeon’s office. They were calling to schedule his surgery. I merged the call in. We all got to discuss potential surgery as a group and agree to it.
We expected the ER visit would lead him to be hospitalized again. The surgery scheduler heard the worry in our voices and said she would look into whether his surgery could be scheduled sooner. She called me back later and was able to find an unexpected opening the following week. It turned out his health scare that day resolved over the many hours while we waited in the ER together.
Next, I was able to get his additional pre-surgery exams, and clearances completed quickly. The surgery was successful and he was out after a few days. It was the shortest hospital stay he had all year. During mid-November, the hospital was still allowing one visitor a day so one of us was able to see him daily. On the day of checkout, the hospital informed me that starting the next day no more hospital visitors would be allowed due to rising COVID-19 infections.
Looking back, it now seems like a blessing that our family was pushed to move forward quickly with his surgery and not overthink it. He got in just before the COVID-19 surge picked up. Who knows if we had waited? Would have had to be hospitalized again over the holidays by himself or get sick with COVID-19?
My dad’s older sister died last Spring. I like to think about her being part of our family’s “Spirit Team” and the quick surgery timing was her way of helping her baby brother from the other side.
My dad still has many health struggles. I know I have limited time left with him. I work daily on managing his medical care. I still worry about making the correct decisions. It gives me comfort to believe my family and I are supported by Spirit.
Even in difficult times, I hope you find ways to believe in a positive outlook. I wish everyone a happy 2021.
Happy New Year,
Laurel Latto
Artist & Founder of DonnaBellas Angels