When our son Dan was in his first year of medical school he became critically ill with meningitis. He was in California and we live in Florida. We received a call one day to come as quickly as possible, he was terribly ill. I cannot begin to describe the grief I felt when we saw this beautiful young man lying there, with little hope for his recovery! Dan was eleven years old when his oldest brother committed suicide. Just before his 13th birthday he told me he wanted Greys Anatomy as his only gift. I was amazed, and I thanked God with all my heart for his ambition to give to the world. I also wondered if Chucks suicide had anything to do with his decision for, of our four surviving sons, it seemed to affect Dan the most. And now here he was, possibly on his death bed. Strange, I didnt get angry with God when Chuck died, but I found this terrible emotion welling up now.

We stayed at Dans apartment during this heartrending time. I prayed and prayed and prayed, and I searched my Bible for verses to help me to yet again understand the why of this. I would like to share some verses I found and applied specifically to Dan:

"[Dan] shall live again and God's program shall prosper in [his] hands" (Isaiah 53:10).

"[God] nurses [Dan] when [he is] sick and soothes [his] pain and worries" (Psalm 41:3).

"The Lord [stands] at [Dan's] side and [gives him] strength" (2 Timothy 4:17).

"The God of all grace...will himself restore you, [Dan], and make you strong..." (Peter 5:10).

"He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak" (Isaiah 40:29).

"He will carry [Dan, His lamb] in his arms..." (Isaiah 40:11).

"For I know the plans I have for you, [Dan], plans for good...to give you a future and a hope" (Jer 29:11).

"My God will meet all your needs... [Dan]" (Philippians 4:19).

Well, God gave us yet another miracle and Dan finally got better. He shared something later that I will never forget. During this time he had several spinal taps, and he experienced what I call the trip to the swamps while on the morphine. But he said it was the cervical tap that was really awful. He shared that perhaps it was a good thing he went through this, as it would help him to understand what his patients would endure when he told them they needed certain procedures.

When Dan graduated he received the Barnes Humanitarian Award, which was given by his peers. Of all the awards he received it was this one that so touched my heart! He also met the love of his life, Shelley, a very special lady!

Thank You, Father!