February 23, 2003

It is not until tragedy strikes that we search for answers, pray, and seek hope to guide us.

I feared that a whisper might either paralyze or propel me. One call would define my courage or my destruction.

I can still hear the phone call. It clings to my memory like the ivy on the brick walls of Wrigley Field. That was twenty years ago.

“Hello, Lisa.”

“Hello? Hello? I’m sorry. I can’t hear you.” 

I lunge at the door and step outside The Timber Ridge Lodge and Waterpark in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. A bitter wind punches my cheeks.

“Hello, Lisa?”

“I can hear you now, Marie.”

“Lisa, there has been a terrible accident! It’s Dan. A helicopter has airlifted him to Minnesota. They’re hoping they can save him!”

 “What? What did you say?” 

 “Danny’s fighting for his life.”

 “What? What happened?” 

“It was a snowmobile accident. I know this must be hard on you since you and my son just divorced.”

That was twenty years ago today.

It was a devastating day for my ex, the father of my children, as he became a paraplegic and had to be brave to live a challenging life.

That phone call changed everything. It became my rock bottom.

But today, twenty years later, I’m thankful for rock bottom.

No matter what happened to me, I believed that God had a plan for my life.

Being broke.

Being single.

Being robbed.

Being sick.

All the waiting.

Waiting for work.

Waiting for love.

Waiting for the kids to grow up.

Waiting to move.

I grieved. I hurt. But I laughed too. It wasn’t an easy life but I didn’t do it alone.

God was with me, day by day, every step of the way.

I do believe in my heart that God worked on Dan’s behalf too by saving his life on that snowbank.

I walk my neighborhood, tip up my straw hat and look up at the sky. You did it. You moved me here. You knew what you were doing. You had the plan all along, didn’t you?

I do not hear the Whisper Within but I FEEL IT! ( Be sure to read my t-shirt in the picture. This was a lovely gift from my sweet friend Peggy.)

God had the plan and turned all my crises into contentment and blessed me more than I could imagine.

A smile covers my face as I think of my good friends who walked with me and brought light into some of my darkest days. ( Too many of you to mention)

I look up at the sky and whisper You are so so good to me!

Can you trust that God has the plan when your circumstances seem hopeless?

“Now faith is being certain of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”—Hebrews 11:1.

“Wait on the Lord. Be strong and take courage. Yes, wait, and he will help you.” Psalm 27:14