Monday, July 2, 2012

"And Your Work Begins"

     As many of you know, Kathy and I began a new journey in our life together on Friday, June 22, 2012.  We left early a.m. from DFW for Buffalo, for a week of vacation with family and friends in western New York.  Saturday p.m. we celebrated at the home of Mark and Carol the high school graduation of their oldest daughter ,Miss Melissa Morlock.  Lots of good times and good family as all of Kathy's New York siblings and families were there.  Let it never be said that the Morlock clan does not know how to have a good time.  A repeat high school graduation party was to be celebrated the very next day for Miss Jennifer Morlock.  She is the youngest daughter of Don(†) and Karen Morlock.  About 2 hours into the gathering, in the midst of a lighthearted 2 on 2 volleyball game, oldest brother Bob Morlock suffered a cardiac arrest.  His wife, Sheri, trained R.N. immediately into action with Michael, Kelly Morlock's longtime boyfriend. They worked together to do mouth to mouth and CPR until fire and rescue arrived on the scene.  They saved Bob's life.  Bob is currently in stable but very serious condition at Buffalo General Hospital.  He will be there for some time to come.  He has a long row to hoe before he will be released. 
     And so "our" work began.  Phone calls were made to the Walshe clan and our brothers and sisters in the Christian Community of God's Delight for prayer for Bob.  God is good all the time- prayers were soon answered and Bob's condition stabilized.  The week following was spent at the hospital to to support Sheri and their daughter, Devyn, in prayer and in whatever way was needed each day.  Kathy recited Psalm 91, a prayer for God's protection, over Bob each day.  I did my best to humor the family and make them laugh.
     Saturday, the 30th came, and it was time for Kathy and I to begin the next leg of this new journey.  We flew from Buffalo to Chicago in order to catch our flight to Amman, Jordan.  The flight from Buffalo was 2 1/4 hours late leaving the gate for Chicago.  Then immediately upon landing at O"Hare, the front nose gear locked up.  The pilot could only steer the plane by the use of wheel brakes and left or right engines to turn the plane.  He maneuvered the plane to the taxiway.  Then we sat at the outer edge of O"Hare for an hour waiting for a tow truck. United flight 441 got to the gate at 8:20p.m. Royal Jordanian flight to Amman departed at 9:30p.m without Kathy and I.  So "our" work continued as we spent the next 2 1/2 hours in the United Airlines customer service line to get things resolved and a voucher for a hotel room.  Met lots of new friends, a couple from Sydney Australia, a young mother from Iowa with her 2 young girls, and a grandmother from Venezuela.  My Spanish sure came in handy with Señora Abuela.  Tried to make the most of the situation and to keep people happy and smiling.  I think Fr. Manuel would have given me an "A" for this bit of homework.
     Next available flight to Amman is Wednesday, July4. Informed Diane at Mar Qardakh about the unexpected change in plans.  Her response: "And your work begins!  Getting here is often the hardest part of the job."  I suppose Kathy and I have our work cut out for us.
We have the next 3 days to explore Chicago.  Never been here before.  Looking forward for more opportunities to do Fr. Manuel's homework: "Smile!  Be happy! and Make those around you happy!"  And so "our" work continues.




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