We were contacted by the case manager in Maine on behalf of 71 year old Robert. After many years of living with diabetes he recently had to have his leg amputated. He has been living in Maine for the last 13 years but his family all live back in Indiana. With no one in Maine to help him, the staff at the hospital wanted to get him back to Indiana where his children live.
We arrive at the hospital to meet Robert who is all dressed and ready to make the flight. He is very pleasant, has his hair combed back he is wearing black rimmed glasses, a sky blue t-shirt and his flannel pants. Many of the staff come into his room to bid him goodbye and wish him the best. He has been here for over 2 months and has become quite popular.
There is still a lot of snow on the ground here in Maine and it is very cold and windy. Our ambulance crew tells us they are expecting another significant snow the beginning of the week, however they have become quite acclimated as they are wearing only short sleeves. Brrrrrr…Once we arrive back to the airport we quickly pray and board Abe.
As we fly and talk with Bob he tells us that he served 6 years in United States Navy as a deep sea diver. As a civilian he worked many years of hard physical labor doing construction. He has 4 children. 2 twin daughters, a son and his youngest daughter works at the rehab facility we will be taking him to. He also has 7 grandchildren.
He is very excited to be near them. One concern that he shared was that his children had not yet seen him without his leg. I assured him that it would not matter to them at all, that they will still love him just the same.
We have arrived in Fort Wayne where the temperature is a much warmer 55 degrees. Our ride to rehab was fairly short.
As we exit the elevator and head down the hallway there are several family members awaiting Bob’s arrival 2 of which are his daughters.
They can hardly wait to greet him with a hug and a kiss. They immediately followed us into his room to help transfer him into the bed.
Before we can even get him transferred his oldest daughter throws her arms around her dad’s neck and through both her tears and his, she tells him how happy she is to have him home and how very much she loves him.
He begins to cry even harder. It was a very sweet emotional moment. We placed him into bed and then were joined by the family as we thanked God for safe travel and the love of this family.
Just prior to leaving we teased Bob and told him he better be on his best behavior with his youngest daughter there daily to watch over him and he just laughed.
ROMANS 3:18-19
I CONSIDER THAT OUR PRESENT SUFFERINGS ARE NOT WORTH COMPARING WITH THE GLORY THAT WILL BE REVEALED IN US. FOR THE CREATION WAITS IN EAGER EXPECTATION FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD TO BE REVEALED.
Thank you to Hal, Jason and Dr. Mike for sharing this mission with me.
Many blessings
Shelli Engle RN
