I began blogging over two years ago. What I have never admitted to anybody (even to myself) is that I started this blog as a means to cope with my own life journey. Like anybody else, I was struggling with making sense of a couple of experiences that were life changing. I was angry, bitter, sad, and anxious. I questioned my faith, my church, my purpose, and God.
I have stumbled, cried, prayed, and also had some sacred and personal experiences I could not have had if I'd not been climbing my mountain. I have been a recipient of tender mercies that I would not have recognized had I not been seeking reprieve.
I have had the opportunity, on many occasions, to witness and recognize that my Heavenly Father knows who I am. I have cried in anguish then gotten up, dressed, gone to work, fed kids, shopped at Costco. I had to keep going. My family still needed me. And so He answered me at Costco, at work, through a blog, a scripture, a thought, even something on television. He has met me where I am.
So when I started blogging, I had no agenda but to write because it was something I love to do. I didn't have a clue what I was doing but I discovered a world of people I never would have met in the physical world but who have changed my life irrevocably. One is the author of http://mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com. Try saying that one three times.
Paul Cardall is a gifted musician. He is also the son of a local news personality, Duane Cardall. Paul was born with half of a heart. As a young boy, he was given a second chance at life through a surgery that altered his current heart. It was successful in that it gave him another nearly 30 years to develop himself and his music.
One day I stumbled upon his blog and was immediately hooked. I looked forward to his posts because he reminded me, time and time again, who I am; a divine daughter of a loving Heavenly Father who loves me.
Paul's heart took a turn for the worst. He was dying. His parents knew that within the upcoming year, their family would be smaller with the death of a son. That day came in June 2009 in an ironic twist of fate. It was not Paul who died, but his little brother, Brian, in a tragic accident.
At this time, Paul's heart was at the end of its life. He was admitted to Primary Children's Hospital (although he was in his late 30's by this time, it was where he had been treated previously). His pallor was pasty yet translucent with a bluish tint. The videos filed at that time capitalized on his love for his three year old daughter, Eden. But it was difficult to miss Paul's skeletal form or the struggle he had speaking for any period of time, even on oxygen. My heart broke as the camera panned to his father, haggard and defeated.
Every post Paul wrote was beautifully articulated as he shared his devotion to his Savior and gave his will to Him. He was saying goodbye.
I couldn't stand it. I couldn't stand crying over my dear friend and his family. Just to clarify, when I say "dear friend," I mean it in a stalking way. The Cardall's haven't a clue of my existence which suited me just fine.
Naturally, I want you, the reader, to embark on the emotional and spiritually uplifting journey I took. Read the blog, particularly paying close attention to summer 2009. Absolutely beautiful, stunning, and life-changing prose. He knew he had weeks, perhaps only days, to live. He used the time he had to reach as many as he could through sharing his testimony. Also, on the left side of the blog you can play his piano music.
Finally, on September 10, 2009, his dear wife, Lynette posted the news.
After a full year on the transplant list, Paul Cardall got a new heart.
As the first anniversary approaches on Paul's new life, I want to introduce you to Paul Cardall through his blog (previously mentioned), his music, and his story. His memoir will be in stores in September.
I don't have a review to give. I don't have the book to review. But I will give you the introduction to this remarkable story because I love it.
Although he got his new heart through the miracle of modern medicine, he still gives me hope.
Someday I will get my new heart.
I have stumbled, cried, prayed, and also had some sacred and personal experiences I could not have had if I'd not been climbing my mountain. I have been a recipient of tender mercies that I would not have recognized had I not been seeking reprieve.
I have had the opportunity, on many occasions, to witness and recognize that my Heavenly Father knows who I am. I have cried in anguish then gotten up, dressed, gone to work, fed kids, shopped at Costco. I had to keep going. My family still needed me. And so He answered me at Costco, at work, through a blog, a scripture, a thought, even something on television. He has met me where I am.
So when I started blogging, I had no agenda but to write because it was something I love to do. I didn't have a clue what I was doing but I discovered a world of people I never would have met in the physical world but who have changed my life irrevocably. One is the author of http://mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com. Try saying that one three times.
Paul Cardall is a gifted musician. He is also the son of a local news personality, Duane Cardall. Paul was born with half of a heart. As a young boy, he was given a second chance at life through a surgery that altered his current heart. It was successful in that it gave him another nearly 30 years to develop himself and his music.
One day I stumbled upon his blog and was immediately hooked. I looked forward to his posts because he reminded me, time and time again, who I am; a divine daughter of a loving Heavenly Father who loves me.
Paul's heart took a turn for the worst. He was dying. His parents knew that within the upcoming year, their family would be smaller with the death of a son. That day came in June 2009 in an ironic twist of fate. It was not Paul who died, but his little brother, Brian, in a tragic accident.
At this time, Paul's heart was at the end of its life. He was admitted to Primary Children's Hospital (although he was in his late 30's by this time, it was where he had been treated previously). His pallor was pasty yet translucent with a bluish tint. The videos filed at that time capitalized on his love for his three year old daughter, Eden. But it was difficult to miss Paul's skeletal form or the struggle he had speaking for any period of time, even on oxygen. My heart broke as the camera panned to his father, haggard and defeated.
Every post Paul wrote was beautifully articulated as he shared his devotion to his Savior and gave his will to Him. He was saying goodbye.
I couldn't stand it. I couldn't stand crying over my dear friend and his family. Just to clarify, when I say "dear friend," I mean it in a stalking way. The Cardall's haven't a clue of my existence which suited me just fine.
Naturally, I want you, the reader, to embark on the emotional and spiritually uplifting journey I took. Read the blog, particularly paying close attention to summer 2009. Absolutely beautiful, stunning, and life-changing prose. He knew he had weeks, perhaps only days, to live. He used the time he had to reach as many as he could through sharing his testimony. Also, on the left side of the blog you can play his piano music.
Finally, on September 10, 2009, his dear wife, Lynette posted the news.
After a full year on the transplant list, Paul Cardall got a new heart.
As the first anniversary approaches on Paul's new life, I want to introduce you to Paul Cardall through his blog (previously mentioned), his music, and his story. His memoir will be in stores in September.
I don't have a review to give. I don't have the book to review. But I will give you the introduction to this remarkable story because I love it.
Although he got his new heart through the miracle of modern medicine, he still gives me hope.
Someday I will get my new heart.
Thank you for this heartfelt post and for introducing me to a new blogger.
ReplyDeleteThat last picture gives me chills.
ReplyDeleteI followed his story and was brought to tears too. I wondered why, if his little brother died, why he couldn't have his heart? Maybe not a match huh? I am gald you took up blogging for any reason. You are gifted for sure and I hope your journey up the mountain in not much farther. I hope you can play on the top of it for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI too have followed his story and it has been an amazing and inspiring journey.
ReplyDeleteGreat post today to share him!
Hi, I'm a new subscriber to your blog all the way from UK. Just want to say what an inspiring post this is and thank you for sharing Paul's story.
ReplyDeleteGosh dang it. You made me cry. Again. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWow such a heartfelt and honest post! It made me cry
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by & for introducing me to 2 great new blogs. It's funny how connected we can feel to complete strangers. I spend more time than I should reading about the lives of people I don't know and will probably never meet, but many of them I count as my friend.
ReplyDeleteThe world is truly a small & magical place.
That is so beautiful and truly an amazing story. I'm constantly amazed at how much my blogging journey has touched me, as well! I'm so glad that I began it for whatever reasons I did. It has definitely made me the person that I am today...along with a few other things, of course! :)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! I think many of us blog as a way of putting our thoughts out there and hoping they resonate with someone else. You express so well what some of us don't know how to put into words.
ReplyDeleteI remember when you blogged about Paul Cardall the first time. I had been following his story in the news. It struck a chord with me because I had a friend pass away right about the same time he got a second chance at life. Life is so uncertain and fragile and some people live it in a way that inspires us - like Paul Cardall. Isn't it nice to have miracles? Becki
I stopped in to see what whitty thing you had been writing and found this post tat brought me to tears.
ReplyDeleteThanks you for the reminder to live each day as though it were our last.
Beautifully written.