four leaf clover

I have asked lately, for a miracle.
I ask with confidence because I have seen many.

I have jumped off a pole, over a gorge, and caught a trapeze
in mid air. The miracle existed, not in the moment of flight, or even in the falling to my death, instead it existed in my faith in another, a stranger.
As I stood, unable to move, I yelled for help, for someone to come get me.
A stranger in the crowd yelled that he would, and that he had, and that he was there with me, and I could use his courage to jump.

And I did.

I have traveled a mostly harried and tarried path, and survived. And although amazing, yes indeed, the miracle did not exist in my forward motion, or even in any goals I reached or failed to reach along my journey. The miracle existed in my voice, which I had lost, and found again, and learned to use, and speak out and honor my Self by listening again to my inner voice.

I have paddled out in strong currents, past the point of my own ability, and faced rip currents, a brush with a shark, and total physical exhaustion. The miracle did not exist in me making it back to shore, but in the talk with God I had out there against the blue line. I did not ask for strength, or a second wind, or even forgiveness for all the wrongs I had done. When faced with death, I was calm and relaxed and totally at peace with who I was…and who I had become, and that was the miracle.

I have seen the miracle of a sunrise and a sunset and the first breaths of a newborn, and the last thoughts of the dying. I have seen children living in shelter offer clothing to those living on the streets, and I have seen those same children give those same clothes to the elderly. Not in embarrassment, but in pride. I have seen the poor give to the very poor and the very poor help those, too poor to be seen and too weak to ask. Miracles come in all shapes and sizes and should never be dismissed based on our own ideals.

I have spoken directly to God about raising a child, and although a biological child was not in the cards, I have had the blessing of raising a child from one year old until now. (He’s almost five years old now.) I have asked for grandchildren and care when I myself am old and weak, and that too has been provided. A miracle.

I have seen many miracles, and you have too. They exist as true miracles every day, if we pay attention to what we ask for, and what is delivered.

So with that confidence I ask all of you to pray for the speedy recovery of a friend and family member. While like a lot of my family, this person is not related by blood, but more importantly by choice. In that way, she and her entire family are “More Than.”

Although extremely ill and bed ridden unable to speak, see or hear, she has changed the lives of nearly 1400 people, and likely thousands more. The spirit of this person, no matter how sick or healthy has united friends, family and strangers not only for her cause but for her son. She has brought attention to Sturge-Weber Syndrome and has had thousands offer prayers, support and love. Imagine the strength of character needed to accomplish this in a critical condition? A miracle.

And in the face of all the miracles I have witnessed, and all those you have seen, multiplied by the company this family keeps, I can’t help but foresee another miracle happening.

I ask that you all pass this essay on and ask for hope, good thoughts, positive energy and/or prayers for Team Kellie, and Kellie Kenney and her extended family to not only recover from this unexpected illness, but also unite an entire community in ways that can only inspire hope, peace and love.

Miracles happen every day. Can we all ask for one more? Collectively? I guarantee you we can move mountains, after all….Kellie has already moved them, we just need some space for her to walk through and come home.

http://www.sturge-weber.org/

Please visit the Sturge-Weber website for more information or join Team Kellie on FaceBook. All good thoughts and good people welcome!

Peace, Chris

www.fourleafclover.us

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 24th, 2010 at 5:59 pm and is filed under Essays.



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