Sunday, July 20, 2008

The Best Medicine

I once watched a history channel special about a prison camp from the Vietnam War. I can't remember the exact name, but the general theme was that this was a brutal place where human life was treated with disdain. Many of the men did not survive this terrible place. They were showing interviews with survivors. One of the things they said was key to survival was having a friend or buddy. If you were sick your friend could bring you your food ration. Even just having someone else to care about would help them make it through the ordeal.

I doubt that this life is very different from that. We all need friends to survive, even better thrive.

Today Jared received a visit from several friends. I think that visit did more to cheer him up and make him feel better, than any medicine he has received in the past few days. It is so easy to feel isolated from the outside world. It is kind of surreal to try and remember the life you had before this illness started. So it is good to remember that life will get normal again, and that you have friends waiting eagerly for your return.

If any of Jared's friends read this, text him and let him know that you are thinking of him. If any of my friends read this, please, please leave me a comment. I'm feeling a bit isolated myself.

10 comments:

toddmom05 said...

Pat,
My name is Julie, and I am a friend of Jennifer's down in Kingwood, Texas. Because of my friendship with Jen, I have been praying for Jared and for your whole family. I have heard so many wonderful things about you and your brood, and I know you have a wealth of people who love you and who are thinking about you right now and throughout each day. I pray you feel the warmth of their love, I hope you feel the power of our prayers on Jared's behalf, and I pray that when you feel most alone, you feel our Heavenly Father holding you up and whispering in your ear that He is always there, right by your side.

Emily said...

I'm sitting at home, alone, my in-laws have my kids because I have been so sick, and I too am feeling a bit detached from the world. It's not a good feeling! I can related and I am looking forward to the return of normalcy, as I am sure you are too. I hope Jared continues to get better, his recovery at home will be quick, and you can return the crazy normalcy of life. Know that although you may feel detached from those around you, we are still thinking praying for Jared and your family!

Brooke said...

Pat,
I've been checking in and praying things will go well and move quickly. My Mom keeps me posted too. I enjoy reading your posts. You have a great wit about you. It will be nice to see you when we come visit next week.

Marjorie said...

Sorry we have been lacking in our posting this past week. I did write up a good one and then pushed the wrong button and lost it. And since there were three people standing in line behind me waiting for the computer I gave up. But we are still checking every day to see your report as well as relying on your phone reports. It sounds like things are still continuing in the right direction. How nice for Jared's friends to be able to visit him. That is always a morale booster.

We are having a great time with Diana. She is doing well. Today is the first day with Raeley and Brooklyn on the scene. She slept at Laura's last night but I think she wants to come back here from now on. We still know where her glasses are!:)

Give our love to all and know that we pray for you everyday.

Stephanie & Brad Bishop said...

I sure hope that some of the sisters in your ward read your last entry and GET A CLUE and go into your house and do what needs to be done instead of just saying, "Is everything all right?" If I lived in Las Vegas, I'd be there in a heart beat. I just read all the updates as I've been out of town for a week.

It certainly is an intense BUMMER that you missed all your family reunions. It is so difficult knowing that all your family is having fun together and you are still in the hospital.

We have been praying for Jared to recover. Patience is always the most difficult attribute in our FAST FOOD society. The body heals slowly, however quite remarkably. He will be OK regardless of the problems he has had.

THanks for the updates

Jennifer said...

I LOVE YOU!!!!

Jen plus 6 said...

You are doing great Pat! It's usually hard to be able to ask for help and then actually know what you are asking for help with... although why I find it hard to say, can you please do my dishes, is a mystery! Sometimes it's just too complicated which is why I think your comment of "just break into my house..." is so adorable- Love it!

(Hey Trent, if someone else hasn't already... can you please mow the lawn... Thanks!)

That's the beauty of having people who live with you... they get to help out too!

Sending hopes of a good day your way!
Love ya,
Jennifer (Hammond)

The Webber's said...

Pat -
Hang in there! wish I could be more help, but I don't think that I can break into your house from Utah! I'm glad someone is helping you out and if there is anything I can do, please let me know!

Jen S said...

WE LOVE YOU, PAT!! (that's a shout) :)

Funny Farmer said...

I am feeling so conflicted about the reunion. There was talk of canceling it - because it felt wrong to go and play while you are struggling. I was one of the voices that tipped the decision back to having it as planned.

And now I am feeling like we should have canceled it after all and come down to help you. I have even considered sending my family to seattle without me so I could come down there and help you.

Should we have aborted the family reunion plans?