time is a gift…
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| Today… |
“He gives strength to the weary, he strengthens the powerless. Youths grow tired and weary, the young stumble and fall, but those who hope in Yahweh will regain their strength, they will sprout wings like eagles, though they run they will not grow weary, though they walk they will never tire.”
Isaiah 40: 29-31
Todays readings spoke directly to me and where we are today with Courtney. HOPE gives strength to the weary. Our daughter is growing weary, very weary.
She is having a harder time taking her tube feedings and digesting what is given. Her poor little tummy is just a mess. We have troubleshooted with the feeding team and have done what we could to adjust to her current needs. They seem to change by the day.
She can no longer sit on her own and is having a hard time holding her head up without support. She is more comfortable in bed than in any other position for the majority of her day. She still smiles and snuggles into my arms. I am so very grateful for that. I know that I will hold those precious memories in my heart for decades to come. When Daddy gives her kisses she still giggles. Such a gift to us as her body slowly begins to shut down.
I am not sure how much time we have, maybe a day, days or a week, possibly two at the most. Only God knows. She has once more surprised her Doctors who did not expect her to still be with us given her seizures and difficulty with feeding. But then that’s what our Courtney has always done. She perseveres and pushes through the most difficult situations with a smile and a princess attitude to boot.
Unfortunately with her weight loss, her liver and kidney issues and the severity of her seizures, unless God intends to grant us a miracle of stupendous ridiculously awesome proportions, our girls full healing will only come when she enters heavens gates and rushes into her Beloveds arms.
When I spoke to the Doc yesterday he told me what to watch for and how to proceed to make sure Court has all she needs to be comfortable and at peace for the remainder of her time this side of heaven. He felt her time here could be counted on one hand given her symptoms but then you can never count Miss Courtney out. She is a fighter.
So we wait. We love. We pray. We sing. We hold her and then we do it all over again. It is a privilege to love her all the way to the finish line. This is one race I will never forget. Thank you Lord for this time.
God bless you are your family.
and, not are
My dearest Mary.. I don't know whether to wish and pray she makes her entrance into heaven in the Christmas season or this side in Advent. In either case her passing will usher a Saint in heaven, and another Mother Mary here on earth… I pray for you almost unceasingly. +AMDG+
I thought about you and Courtney when I read the readings this morning. And as always, praying for you all.
Oh, Mary! We have adoration at our church tonight and I'm going to head out in a few minutes so I can offer it up for you all!
Bless you Mary for your choice to love through it all. Praying for your family daily.
Thank you for continuing to give us updates and allow us a window into this difficult journey. Courtney, and your witness, has touched countless lives because of your "passionate perseverance". What an amazing gift to know you and pray for you all. I pray you that God continue to give you the Graces you need and that the Blessed Mother will comfort you.
Remembering you in prayer this week and the weeks to come, Mary. What a blessing that she can remain with you in her cozy happy place
God bless you friend. As always our prayers are with you.
I have never commented, but I wanted to say that we are so touched by Courtney 's beautiful soul, and the love that is so strong in your family. We are praying with all we have for all of you.
I am praying along with you, loving friend. You are a blessing to the world.
you birthed her in to this world. now you birth her into the next.
Your wisdom and grace truly astounds me. Your faith gives me faith. Many prayers of peace beig sent your way from my little corner of Washingon State. Peace be with you.
Praying for you and your family. When I read your writing tears well up in my eyes and they just fall down. I think of you daily and offer up prayers for you and your family.
Thank you for letting us into your life through your blog, your daughter and you are changing lives, showing me what matters most and what does not.
Love you, Mary Greene! Thank you for showing so many what being a child of GOD really is. Courtney is a beautiful and intelligent young lady that will soon be free of the body that confines her. GOD has awesome plans for her!
Oh Mary, God bless you, sweet Courtney and your family. Prayers continue. Thank you for witnessing Christ's love to all of us.
Prayers for you. You're all such wonderful examples of love and perseverance. God bless. <3
Prayers for you and Miss Courtney. You are beautiful example of true love. May Mother Mary wrap her arms around you during this difficult journey. God Bless
Prayers for peace and srength. Your family is a beautiful witness.
Thank you for writing this handbook for living through tough times. It puts all our petty sufferings in their right place. This should be your all's epitaph: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; " I keep on praying for you.
(Sorry for my ungrammatical English, I'm not a native speaker and have a terrrible cold.)
O Mary! My heart goes out to you and your brave girl!! I am praying Our Lady never leaves your side for the time yr angel has on this earth…. So many people have lifted you up in prayer .. Please depend on that!!! She has you in Her Love and Mercy in the bend of Her arms… Rest in Her Heart… Praying!!
Sending up much prayers today for you all! hugs to Miss Courtney, you, Jerry and Jonathan!
XXXXXOOOOO
Your love for your daughter and family is beautiful. Every hard moment you share and every moment that's a gift … it is a blessing. Love does always win and I am so glad you write and it helps me remember that day after day. We are praying for you.
Praying so much peace for all of you. I've added a little prayer request to the bottom of my blog posts so others will pray as well!
Much love.
So, I'm reading your story. Your whole story, up there at the top. I never have before. I'm just bawling. So crushed for you and your family. For the pain between you and your husband. Our son is autistic, and the year after he was diagnosed was just a crush of pain. Praying for you and your family during this Advent, daily.
Thank you for this blog and for your witness. It gives me strength and courage as I know one day we too will face a similar situation with our own daughter. I love to look at your daughter's pictures as I love to look upon my own daughter. They bring me joy. Please be assured of our prayers for you and your family.
Dearest Mary, Jerry, Jonathan, and lovely Courtney, Merry Christmas to you all. I and my family have been praying for you all and will do so especially in the coming days and weeks. Know you are all cared for and loved even though we haven't met. Reading your posts has become part of our families daily routine, and offering up prayers at bedtime and throughout the day when I can. God is near and watching over all of you. God bless and peace be with you.
Thank you for sharing this journey with us. The kids and I are still praying for Miss Courtney, every single morning.
God Bless all of you, Mary. You have a whole community of readers praying and waiting with you.
Many prayers for your family during this season.