The Stars Shine Brightest Amdist the Darkness

We're back from Mexico!
We carried off the Capbell Family Reunion and the race is ON to get all the children registered for schools, applying ofr lockers and school lunches, bus schedules, and school supplies--not to mentioned my doctors appointments and Susie's dentist appointment scheduled (for a painful cavity).

My Visiting Teachers visited yesterday.  These are two older sisters from the ward who are my other's age.  They began by asking about her.  (She fell and broke her L2 when we were in Mexico and then they delayed the surgery she needed until my Father went to the Head of the Hospital and pleaded  for help.  She is hoe now, but in a lot of pain.)

Then they told me they were sorry to hear of my brother Michael's passing.

So much has gone on this Summer, it is hard not to feel at times numb to it all...Elfi's aggressive Lymphoma and miraculous "cure", our miscarriage, neighbor's grandson's accidental drowning, Elfi's return of Lymphoma--need for Bone Marrow Transplant, Kelene Campbell's Mother's Bone Cancer, our pregnancy and (another) miscarriage, heart and neurological trouble, Scott's suicide--leaving wife Jenny and son to find him!; Michael's death, viewing, funeral, and emotional legal battles, mom's broken back, Elfi's extended hospital stay, etc.  All of this takes place between children's chores, piano lessons, Ballroom Camps, YW Camps, the mundane and usual and family happenings.

Then, one sister mentioned that she was sorry she did not come to the Funeral but was having her own "Family Crisis" during that time.  I asked her about this towards the end of our visit.  She has only a few grandchildren.  (One of her daughters has not married...others have a child or two.)  Her daughter that visited earlier on this Spring from Italy (where her husband is stationed with the U.S. Military) and their two children, has a daughter in the hospital.  "The little girl (5 yrs. old) complained of a headache in the morning and a stomachache in the afternoon.  Then she began seizures.  She is in acoma in the hospital in Italy.  Doctors have done brain scans but report very little activity because of the seizures she had.  They are saying it is Encephalitis/Viral Meningitis.  They suspect she will pass away soon even though the father has requested a transfer to Utah so they can bring her to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake."

Wow, this hit so close to home.  Joe and I had Viral Meningitis a year and a half ago and I am sure the severe neck, back pain I have (that doesn't respond to Tylenol and so I try cold packs, etc.) is residual nerve damage.  So innocent and sweet.  It seems that many children are being called "home."  I ached for this sweet lady--the pain so raw on her face.

What to do?  I went to a local bookshop and looked up books, partly for myself and partly for her.  I am afraid.  I don't want to "have time" for grieving...I have put it off so I could carry on with "Life."  What now?

Focus on the stars (the lights within the darkness) and move forward, I guess.