Journal entry by Yvonne Loy —
Good evening dear friends and family. It's really late but I wanted to just share a quick update.
The good news is Greg felt well enough to attend church this morning. It was so emotional but wonderful to sit by my husband during the worship time and be reminded of all the answered prayers, and all that God has done these past weeks. Greg is healing and getting better with each week. Our church family was quick to give hugs, wipe tears and remind us of how much they care and are praying. Again, we are just completely humbled and grateful to be so supported and loved by our church family and our friends around the world!! I couldn't help but notice that almost 15,000 people have visited Greg's caring bridge site. We joked that we don't think we even know that many people! We are blown away by that!
Please keep praying for a full recovery for Greg. We've been getting out and taking walks and Greg has gone into work a few hours but it is always followed by hours of sleep. He is still getting his strength back. His balance and equilibrium is getting better but still not completely normal. He did have a couple headaches this past week but those seem to be less and less! We are so thankful for continued recovery... so thankful we still have each other!!
In this journal entry I primarily wanted to say a few brief words of thanks to our children.
Greg and I are not perfect parents. We made a lot of mistakes along the way and had to ask forgiveness from our children often. But somehow, in spite of us, and through God's infinite, indescribable grace, our children grew up to be amazing human beings! The morning after Greg was admitted to the ICU at Mayo I called my oldest son Aaron to inform him that his dad had a brain bleed and was in the ICU. (I was supposed to be leaving that next day to fly to Knoxville to be with grandchildren while Aaron and his wife Meg traveled for work.) His calming voice brought peace to my heart and he immediately made phone calls to his siblings to inform them of the situation with their dad.
Our world as we know it, was turned upside down and Aaron dropped everything and traveled with three young children to be with us in Rochester. (His wife Megan was bound to a work trip to Atlanta). Our son Josh also dropped everything, bought a plane ticket and flew through the night to be here while his wife Kindal graciously took on the task of single parenting four children so Josh could come. And our son Jake and wife Alli and family packed up and drove all the way from Dallas that same day. Our daughter Rachel was up at the hospital with a care package that morning.
I don't remember teaching them this "selflessness", this devotion to family. I don't remember teaching them the sensitivity they showed in the way they shared words of compassion and encouragement or knew when to just be silent. I didn't ask my children to take turns sleeping at the hospital with their dad so I could go home and get some rest.. they just did. I don't remember teaching my sons to wrap their arms around me while I melted down outside the hospital room from watching this man I love (their father) struggle with pain that was unbearable for 12 days in the hospital! I didn't ask them to stock my fridge, clean my house or have the grandchildren draw sweet pictures for Greg. I am completely overwhelmed with the amazing people my children are.
My journal entry this evening just needs to shout praise to God for the children He has given me. They truly love Jesus, they are not perfect but they know how to love well and to pour out their lives for others. I am so grateful for them and to them. My life is rich in the only ways that really matter. I am so very thankful! From a heart of praise, Yvonne
The good news is Greg felt well enough to attend church this morning. It was so emotional but wonderful to sit by my husband during the worship time and be reminded of all the answered prayers, and all that God has done these past weeks. Greg is healing and getting better with each week. Our church family was quick to give hugs, wipe tears and remind us of how much they care and are praying. Again, we are just completely humbled and grateful to be so supported and loved by our church family and our friends around the world!! I couldn't help but notice that almost 15,000 people have visited Greg's caring bridge site. We joked that we don't think we even know that many people! We are blown away by that!
Please keep praying for a full recovery for Greg. We've been getting out and taking walks and Greg has gone into work a few hours but it is always followed by hours of sleep. He is still getting his strength back. His balance and equilibrium is getting better but still not completely normal. He did have a couple headaches this past week but those seem to be less and less! We are so thankful for continued recovery... so thankful we still have each other!!
In this journal entry I primarily wanted to say a few brief words of thanks to our children.
Greg and I are not perfect parents. We made a lot of mistakes along the way and had to ask forgiveness from our children often. But somehow, in spite of us, and through God's infinite, indescribable grace, our children grew up to be amazing human beings! The morning after Greg was admitted to the ICU at Mayo I called my oldest son Aaron to inform him that his dad had a brain bleed and was in the ICU. (I was supposed to be leaving that next day to fly to Knoxville to be with grandchildren while Aaron and his wife Meg traveled for work.) His calming voice brought peace to my heart and he immediately made phone calls to his siblings to inform them of the situation with their dad.
Our world as we know it, was turned upside down and Aaron dropped everything and traveled with three young children to be with us in Rochester. (His wife Megan was bound to a work trip to Atlanta). Our son Josh also dropped everything, bought a plane ticket and flew through the night to be here while his wife Kindal graciously took on the task of single parenting four children so Josh could come. And our son Jake and wife Alli and family packed up and drove all the way from Dallas that same day. Our daughter Rachel was up at the hospital with a care package that morning.
I don't remember teaching them this "selflessness", this devotion to family. I don't remember teaching them the sensitivity they showed in the way they shared words of compassion and encouragement or knew when to just be silent. I didn't ask my children to take turns sleeping at the hospital with their dad so I could go home and get some rest.. they just did. I don't remember teaching my sons to wrap their arms around me while I melted down outside the hospital room from watching this man I love (their father) struggle with pain that was unbearable for 12 days in the hospital! I didn't ask them to stock my fridge, clean my house or have the grandchildren draw sweet pictures for Greg. I am completely overwhelmed with the amazing people my children are.
My journal entry this evening just needs to shout praise to God for the children He has given me. They truly love Jesus, they are not perfect but they know how to love well and to pour out their lives for others. I am so grateful for them and to them. My life is rich in the only ways that really matter. I am so very thankful! From a heart of praise, Yvonne
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