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“I got the call.”
The words stopped me dead in my tracks and instantly clouded my vision with thick and heavy tears. We’ve been waiting to hear those words. Waiting for this miracle that would bring new life and opportunities.
“Yay!” was the only word i could muster up between my sobs and suddenly my heart was flip-flopping between rushing emotions of peace, anxiety, hope, fear, and desperation to be there for one last hug before the Sharlie I’ve known for 25 years was a new woman, with a new heart and new lungs. My mind raced trying to soak it all in, share words of love and encouragement and faith all while focusing on inhaling her spirit of hope and love and letting it fill and cleanse my soul.
But what do you say at a moment like this?
How can I tell her in that instant that she has changed me inside and out? That her faith and uncompromising joy make me strive every day to be better? That her determination helps me to find strength within me when I feel life is just too hard? That as long as I live, she will always, always be a part of who I am?
How can I tell her that over the phone?
Clint was quick to assure me that if i needed to go, we would go. And so before I knew it, we were in a car in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere with two dear friends and our boys safely snuggled in beds at grammy and papa’s house so we could take one last chance to share our love before everything changed.

There are moments in time when our lives are defined. When the trivialities of daily life don’t matter. When we decide the kind of life we want to live and what we are willing to sacrifice. Today was one of those days. As we waited for news and updates, I could not bare the thought of going back to a life at wasn’t full of intention and joy.

Of taking the days and moments for granted.
I hope I never forget the calm assurance, not without a little fear, that rested on her face as the moment arrived to be wheeled into the OR.

Or the surety in my heart that angels were surrounding her. I hope I never forget the outpouring of love and faith that I have witnessed and the effect that radiant hope has on a heart. I hope I never forget the admiration of a mother who bravely watched her daughter conquer her greatest fear or of a husband willing to bear these burdens for his family in hopes of a better life.

How is it possible for my life to ever be the same?
The journey is far from over. While the operation was a success and Sharlie now has a new heart and two new lungs to carry her through the rest of her journey here on earth, her recovery is sure to be full of uphill climbs, moments of triumph and trial. And I look forward to walking along that path with her. I will do my best to glean from the sermons she has taught me everyday. Not only do I feel blessed to have a friend like Sharlie, I feel blessed to witness miracle after miracle and see His power through her.
Today was a good day.

To follow Sharlie’s progress, please see the Sharlie’s Angels Facebook page where her husband, Ryan updates frequently. I will also be updating as much as I can on twitter and Facebook. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and love.

“When you have come to the edge Of all light that you know And are about to drop off into the darkness Of the unknown, Faith is knowing One of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or You will be taught to fly” -Patrick Overton