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The Gift of Time

14 January 2019

By: June Owens

The hustle and bustle of the holidays is over and the silver bells are no longer ringing. The wrapping paper is now discarded and many of the gifts are already put aside. But for me, the gift of the season that I most treasure is time. One more day to say I love you. One more moment to see eyes light up when a favorite television show is turned on. One more cardinal to see in the backyard and believe in the angels that sent them.

See, I spent most of December wondering if I would get to celebrate Christmas with my mama. She suffered a stroke early in the month and landed in the hospital most of a week. From the emergency room visit in Huber Heights to the transport to Miami Valley Hospital, I could sense the concern amongst the medical team. Then we waited. More time … time for this test and that test. Time for radiologists to read reports and the stroke team to meet. Time for even the sun to rise as I sat in her 10th floor hospital room. Yet, in the stress of each moment, all I wanted was more time.

We have been sprung from the hospital and provided with home health care. Mama is recovering well. There was evidence of 3 strokes on imaging and new medications have been started to prevent further issues. Dietary changes have been recommended as she is a diabetic and has cholesterol related heart issues. Physical therapy has been initiated to facilitate a home exercise program. This gift of time requires a little assembly, something many of us seem to skip along the way. The receiver must be willing to put in a little extra effort to extend our life’s ability to bless others. We must first and foremost be willing to accept the gift of help from others, knowing they are truly on our team and realizing that their blessing also comes in helping us. Maybe, just maybe, that’s the gift they were intended to be on this journey.

Think for a moment on your goals, your resolutions so to speak, for 2019. How can you give the gift of time? How can you extend the gift of the time you’ve been presented? We all have some ability to make a positive difference, in our own lives and for everyone around us. We believe it’s true with each new year and yet sometimes fail to see it’s true with each new day. They say it’s better to give than receive and this year, I KNOW that’s true. I received the gift of time, a little more memory-making with my mama, my friend!