Psalms 136:4
Psalms 136:4
“ to Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.”
Day 35 at UAB wasn’t very eventful in the beginning, as the hours seemed to blend together in a quiet routine. Ricky slept almost all day, resting deeply as his body worked tirelessly to heal from the challenges he has faced. He is currently receiving 37 percent oxygen, which indicates some encouraging progress in his condition. The next step in his recovery journey will be the important transition to room air, a critical milestone that will mark a significant advancement. If all goes well during this phase, the tracheostomy tube can then be removed, bringing him one step closer to where he needs to be.
Last night, around 8:30 p.m., I quietly entered Ricky’s room to wake him and tell him goodnight and to remind him just how much we love him. Finally, he was awake and alert.
Sometimes, when it’s just the two of us, I take the time to pray over him, and other times I might annoy him a bit, just for fun. Occasionally, I find myself giving him a heartfelt pep talk as if he’s gearing up to take the field in the Super Bowl. Last night, I ended up doing all of those things.
Earlier in the day, while I was grooming him, I touched his nose and he jerked completely away from me. So, I began to question his movements.
Last night, after our Super Bowl pep talk, I felt compelled to encourage him more. I told him to move his legs, urging him to give it a try. Guess what happened next? To my amazement, he began moving his foot—yes, the very foot that he hadn’t moved at all prior to me encouraging him to do so. I quickly called over his nurse, who was equally surprised, stating, “That’s the most I’ve seen in three days.” After that remarkable moment, Ricky seemed finished with our interaction, so I decided to let him doze back off to sleep peacefully.
It was just around 11 p.m. when I found myself running back to the hospital once more. I felt an overwhelming urge to lay my eyes on him, to simply be present and say a heartfelt prayer before heading to bed. Upon entering the room, I saw Ricky sound asleep, his mouth gently closed, giving him an air of peace that seemed so comforting. I stood in the doorway, watching him for several long minutes, allowing myself to absorb the moment. It was a bittersweet sight as I observed him dreaming, occasionally attempting to talk in his sleep—something he frequently did before experiencing these strokes. Each faint attempt at a murmured word echoed in my heart, reminding me of the vibrant person he was.
This is the same man who they said would never again be able to move from the neck down… who would never be able to swallow his food or consciously move his mouth, nor would he ever be able to breathe on his own for that matter. Strokes take time to heal, and God, in His infinite wisdom, takes His time as well.
This particular verse came to my mind as I stood there watching him, feeling a mixture of hope and despair. For days, we found ourselves grappling with uncertainty, not knowing what God’s plan was for Ricky’s life. We didn’t know if we would ever again see the spark of life in Ricky’s eyes. We thought, with heavy hearts, that the blood clot in his heart might ultimately take him from us. We are aware that we have a long and challenging road ahead of us…. but in the midst of it all, we hold onto the profound truth of God’s unwavering presence: but God.
God has allowed us to witness small miracles repeatedly throughout this incredible journey. His profound love for my brother has shone through the support and compassion of so many individuals during difficult times.
No matter where you find yourself in life, rest assured that God is there, ever-present, willing and able to transform your circumstances. He can literally change your death bed into a miraculous moment of hope and renewal.
