A Blog I Stalk (but not in a creepy way)

I didn't want to be this person but I'm going to have to admit it.

I really care about my blogging friends. Non-bloggers don't get this connection. I follow their lives, their ups and downs, their tragedies and triumphs. Sometimes they know I'm stalking them. Other times it's probably just down right creepy. (You know who you are. I love commenting on your clever, witty, or moving posts).

One day I went to the printer at work and found a downloaded copy of sheet music by some musician named Paul Cardall. Not knowing anything about him, I searched some of his music, played it, and enjoyed his style immensely. Truth is, I'm kind of a sucker for piano.

A few months ago there was an unfortunate incident in a small town in Southern Utah where a man with a mental illness was having an episode and he ended up being tasered; once while standing and again while he was down and died. Incredibly tragic. His name was Brian Cardall and he is the son of a prominent personality in Utah, Dwayne Cardall.

It was at this time that I made the connection. This is the younger brother of the musician I had admired all these years. I had already been following Paul's blog and was completely hooked. Paul suffers from a rare heart condition and has endured many surgeries to fix it. Those have only been temporary fixes but gave him the time to create amazing and touching music that speaks to the soul. He married his sweetheart and they are parents of a beautiful little girl named Eden. His blogspot is named "Living For Eden."

So after 37 years, his heart was giving out. He's been living in a hospital in Salt Lake for the past couple of months and the mood didn't sound optimistic, although he exudes peace and love for our God and His Son. Reading his blog is a visceral experience. So moving, I've had to stop checking it so often because it made me cry. He seemed to be saying goodbye and I just couldn't stand it.

Every time I see he's posted, I dread checking it. He was clearly dying and I completely love the man, the musician, the woman he married, and his beautiful daughter.

So here is a post from September 10th.

I highly suggest spending time looking around the site. There are some wonderful gems.

I have to admit that I was guilty of breaking into sobs reading the post today by his wife. The post that announced that Paul got a new heart.

I hope I am not speaking too soon, but sometimes there are happy continuations of life.