The "Dash"

When you look upon a tomb stone, there are generally two dates noted: birth and death. Between those two dates, frequently there is a dash. While the birth date is a day of celebration, and the death date is a day of mourning, what happens inbetween is their life. There is so much unsaid when there is just a "dash" between the two dates.

Since last writing in "The Keeping Room," the dash has not been absent. Much of life has a degree of routine to it. A trip to Uganda is NOT routine, and thus it deserved recognition within the "dash." I want to talk a little about some of the not so routine events during this period of silence.

In the summer of 2008, my life began to tingle. More accurately, my feet! After several visits with the doctors and numerous tests, it was determined that I have something called peripheral neuropathy. My understanding, in a nutshell, is some of the nerves that head towards the feet and course around them are dying. Why? So far there has not been an answer. We know what is NOT causing it, but not what IS causing it. I'm on a medication whose original purpose had nothing to do with neuropathy, but has been shown to help reduce the pain, tingling, pressure, and myriad other manifestations of the neuropathy. It helps - all I have to do is miss a dose and my feet YELL at me loudly.

In the spring of 2009, my confirmed bachelor son became a spouse. He began dating his lovely wife several years ago - actually just before Barb and I married. He tells me they had a plan: 1) get married; 2) buy a house; 3) get a dog; and 4)... have a baby! They are currently in the midst of #4. Their baby is due early next summer. Congratulations to them. And to me - I'm kinda happy for them too. Okay, I'm really happy for them.

This past summer, pain arrived once more. I'll spare you the details, but a couple of incisions related to an inguinal hernia seems to have relieved it. I was off of work for four weeks total - one to preach for the Columbus Avenue church in Anderson, Indiana, and three recuperating. It is an understatement to say that I was ready to get back to work! Two scars, and some residual "discomfort" are all that remain of my painful summer experience.

Complications also came into the life of my eldest son. For about four years, he had been experiencing an increasing difficulty with ordinary things, like cleaning stepping over things, climbing stairs, and other muscular complications. We are thankful that he has always been very active and physically fit. Had he not been, the doctor says his situation would have been much worse. He is still undergoing testing to find out more of what is actually happening. They have a name for it, but names don't always tell the whole story. Right now they are looking for controlling his symptoms. We are praying that the tests will reveal something more about its source and point them towards a viable solution.

This fall has been very busy for Barb. She has been taking courses to further her abilities in the classroom. They are demanding, but she is blessed to have found classes that are not just credit worthy, but classroom enhancing.

What will the "dash" be in the days, weeks, and months to come? God will reveal it to me - and to you - one day at a time. I'm really glad we only learn it one day at a time. Aren't you?