It’s been a rough couple of days. On Friday afternoon, I was able to finally get my COVID booster. Planning ahead, my sister was coming to stay with my mom and I for the weekend. It had just started to snow when she left for her normal 1 1/2 hour drive. Just as my mom and I finished dinner, I got the call from my dad’s facility. They found my dad on the ground outside. He was conscious but freezing and banged up. The paramedics were called and it was decided it was best for him to go to the ER to get warmed up and checked out. I was starting to feel the ill effects of the booster and the roads were already an icy mess. I knew I wouldn’t be able to go and be with him. I called my sister who was still driving after almost 3 hours and she said she would go to the hospital. My mom and I prayed the rosary. She used the beads she received from her friend who bought them and had them blessed in Rome. I used beads my friend gave me that were present in Fatima for the 100th anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun and were blessed by the pope. When we finished, I checked back in with my sister. It took her another hour on treacherous roads before she made it to the hospital. It was a long, stressful, sleepless night for everyone. I took and made phone calls as my temperature soared and my body ached. My sister made sure my dad was cared for while my poor traumatized father acted out. The last thing we wanted was a repeat of a few months ago when he ended up restrained and over medicated. After hours of tests and observation, they found no serious injury. At 6:00 in the morning, my dad returned to his facility and my sister finally made it to our house. My mom was up an hour and a half later. My sister and I knew there was no way either one of us would to be able to function. I called my son who came over and “grandma sat” while my sister and I tried to recover. Exhausted and ill, I asked God how much suffering he thought was necessary for my dad – and how much he thought we could all endure. I remembered the story of Job and God’s response which was basically that He knows what He is doing. No explanation. I started praying in thanksgiving that my dad was not hospitalized, for the medical staff, that my sister was with him and home safe, for my son, and anything else I could think of. I prayed another rosary and the Divine Mercy. I prayed until I ran out of words. Then I found an online live stream of Eucharistic Adoration. I wondered if that actually “counted”, but was reminded that God is everywhere all the time and was able to doze. A little while later I received a text from a friend quoting Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” She had no idea what was happening and how timely her note was. When I thanked her, she said she was heading to Mass and would pray for me and my family. What an unexpected blessing. Our favorite caregiver was with my dad yesterday, which was another answered prayer. I knew she would keep a close eye on him and she kept me informed as to how he was doing. He had a difficult day yesterday, but our second favorite caregiver told me he was doing better today. While we have had to get through yet another painful experience, I realized that I was completely incapable of doing anything at all to help the situation. But, others were – my sister, my son, my friend who brought us all to Mass, trusted caregivers. I really am not all that powerful. Thank God He is.

I Found God today in another difficult situation.