A Simple Comment

Wow. It's been over a week since my last post. Welcome back.

I have been so blessed by the hope afforded to me about my dad. Today I had the kids color some pictures to send him for his birthday. He shares his birthday with Garrison. They are exactly sixty years apart. I think that is awesome!

The past eleven months. . . . what a ride. I've been pondering sharing something on my blog, but wasn't quite sure how to put it into words. I was finally inspired this week. I ran into a woman at Meijer. I know her from growing up at Graafschap church. (I'm so thankful for my "growing up church". Perhaps fodder for another blog post?) I greeted her and with a smile, she came up to me and shared these two sentences. "I read your blog. I'm praying for your family."

"I read your blog." Thanks so those of you who have found this place. There are friends here who read to keep up with the kids and their antics. There are old and new friends. There are those who followed our adoption journey and just stuck around. Finally, there are those who joined up when dad's addiction went public and they didn't know what was going on. This blog gave you a place to look. . . a place to get some of your questions answered. . . perhaps a place to judge me or my family. You heard differing stories and wanted to see where I stood. You weren't sure where to go for answers, so word of this place spread. Thanks for being here. Thanks for taking an interest in the Koemans. Thanks for reading and caring. I'm not even sure who all of you are, but you are welcome. If you see others who have questions, feel free to refer them here.

"I'm praying for your family." Here is the golden egg. One of the most powerful moments in my life is when people pray for me. Thanks to those of you who are praying for me, our family, my dad, my mom. . . our God is listening. That is great! Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you ! :) Please continue to pray!

What was really cool about this woman was that she talked to me. That may sound strange, but over the past months I've noticed that folks have very differing ways of interacting with me. Some are great (see the instance described above). Others. . . um. . . not so much. I've had people ask inappropriate questions or say inappropriate things. I've had people ignore the subject all together. I've had people avoid me. Guess what? I have eyes. I see you in the grocery store. I see you running away from me. Do you know how that makes me feel? I know that I've been guilty of doing the same thing in the past. I'm thankful that God is teaching me. . . and perhaps I can teach others. Here is a tip. TALK TO HURTING PEOPLE! Say you are praying (if indeed you are). Ask how they are doing and then listen. Feel free to say "I don't know what to say." I appreciate that so very much. You have talked to me to let me know you care. You showed that you were present. Send a note. Don't know what to say in the note? Write that you care and that you don't know what to say. You just wanted to let me know that you care. It doesn't have to be long. Hug me. I often feel that is what Jesus would do if He came and knocked at my door. He would just hug me. . . maybe even share a tear or two with me. Hurting people need their Christian community to show up.

Dad had pneumonia last week and was in the hospital for a few days. He is back in his new digs now and recovering. You can pray about that. Garrison's birthday is tomorrow and he is getting a shot. He has decided not to have his birthday this year and just sit in his room. . . so he doesn't have to get a shot. You can pray about that too. :)