Unexpected Blessing

ByD'Ann Mateer
12 Comments

If you are on my newsletter list or follow me on social media, you might remember that my eighty-eight-year-old, very active dad was supposed to have bypass surgery last Friday, and that at nearly the last minute, it got rescheduled for Monday. (BTW, the surgery went great, and he is already progressing very well.) Anyway, my sister had come back from Budapest (where she lives) to help out with the recovery process, so all of a sudden, with our schedules already cleared, my parents and the three of us girls had a free weekend together 

What did we do? We decamped from normal life down to my middle sister’s lake house! It was a lovely, relaxing couple of days together, only missing one brother-in-law and our brother and sister-in-law. Their lake house is in a quiet cove. A small house that they completely remodeled. Then they added a humongous deck with retractable screens, which is the most glorious place to read, work, and talk while overlooking the water. Especially when the weather was clear and sunny and 72 degrees! They also have covered seating space out on the boat dock, which is so peaceful. 

They also recently finished out a small efficiency “apartment” in the large garage next door for my parents when they come to visit. It’s a lovely little bedroom/bathroom with windows overlooking the lake. It will also have a covered deck, which is slated to begin construction next week. 

My sister and brother-in-law, who own the house, are such great hosts. We had wonderful meals together. Time to talk and walk and work and read. We watched some baseball and some basketball. And generally just took it easy. 

As my youngest sister said, the weekend felt like taking a big breath before a long swim. Because we know the recovery process with Dad will involve a lot of time on our part. Especially with Mom’s ongoing foot and back issues. So while it was a panicked moment when the surgery reschedule threw a kink in our plans, we embraced the unexpected blessing of the free weekend together. 

Have you had a moment when your plans got upended that turned into an unexpected blessing? 

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Inspired by novelist Eugenia Price, D’Ann’s dream of writing historical fiction with an element of faith began in middle school, though her serious drive toward publication took a bit longer. D’Ann is the author of four historical novels and one novella, as well as a contemporary short stories in a compilation volume. D’Ann and her husband of 30 years can be found in Austin, TX when they aren’t touring historic sites or visiting their grown children.

12 Comments

  1. Love this post, and I’m praying for your precious dad. What great pictures, and memories too!

  2. Thankful to hear that your dad’s surgery went well and that he’s on the road to recovery. Blessings on him and your whole family!

  3. What a lovely chance to take a breath and enjoy each other. And in such a beautiful setting. Lovely! So thankful your dad is recovery well. Praying that he continues to gain strength and health.

  5. I’m so glad you were able to have that unexpected respite before the hard work began. Praying all of you are able to work together to provide care while also allowing each of you to rest.

    1. Thank you! I’m so glad there are four of us to shoulder it, although when he gets home and my one sister returns to Europe, it will be a bit more tricky with only two of us in town!

  6. What a beautiful ‘calm before the storm’ getaway. Although, praying the Lord will calm any storms that arise and your dad continues a good recovery and for extra strength for you family to help. ASIDE: Your sister lives in Budapest?!?

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