Blocks 11-14

Four

VERY SPECIAL BLESSINGS

were stitched today . . .

Allison,

Lauren,

Chris and

Matthew.

They are Lee's children,

my nieces and nephews.

Block #11

is special in many ways.

Allison was a blessing from day 1.

For some reason,

Lord gave her something

that she didn't asked for.

But He also

made it possible

for her to receive treatment

to live a fulfilled,

productive life..

When she was 10 months old

her mom, Cindy, found blood on her diaper.

She immediately got into her pediatrician

who immediately sent them to

Riley Childen's Hospital in Indianapolis.

The doctors discovered

that she had a very rare form of cancer . . .

one that affected her ovaries and tubes.

(I believe Lee said it was an Egg Sac tumor

that had caused it . . but I am not 100% sure that was the same.)

So,

at 10 months old,

Allison had her tubes and ovaries removed . . .

a hysterectomy for a 10 month old.

All went well until another visit

to the doctors at Riley.

This time the discovered

cancer cells on her uterus.

So now,

she has her uterus removed.

The surgeries were followed

with massive doses of

radiation/chemotherapy

that was directed

where these organs had been.

In time,

it comes to pass,

that she has trouble walking . . .

her hip region was so affected by what helped her illness.

The doctors told Lee and Cindy

that by the age of 16

she would be in a wheelchair.

She fooled them . . .

she walked across the stage to receive

her high school diploma.

Her walking was not normal,

she tended to throw herself backward

to balance her upper body

on the hips she was using . . .

BUT,

she WAS WALKING.

Even at this time,

when she had a distance to walk,

she used a wheelchair instead.

It was just to hard on her.

She has ended up

using a walker.

I thought this was the perfect design

to make for her.

Against all odds

she is still walking . . .

over 15 years

from the 16 year old prognosis the doctors gave her.

A walker shows

what wonderful things can happen

when the predictions were bad.

Block #12

Miss Laureen . . .

Lauren always makes me smile.

When I look at her

there is something of myself that I see.

In my mind,

she is the closest

to producing a child of my own.

Warped sense of humor,

even black and sick at times.

Let's people know where she stands

and where they stand with her.

She is an aide at a middle school

and loves that age,

just like me . . .

middle schoolers were fun to have as students.

A year or so ago,

I find out that she LOVES to fish with Lee.

How in the world

did I ever miss THAT

I'll never know?

Dad was a fisherman.

I grew up loving

river catfish,

blue gill,

crappies . . .

all fish that can be taken from the rivers and lakes

in North Central Indiana.

Lee followed Dad

in the love of fishing . . .

only Lee would fish from boats . .

Dad,

just the river or lake's edge.

So,

Miss Laureen

had to receive a fish.

Block #13

Chris, Chris, Chris . . .

you are one of a kind.

Always listening to the beat

of a different drummer.

Entertaining,

lively,

"Is there a party going on here?"

Loved the land . .

flowers were your passion.

You loved planting.

Ended up at Ball State,

my Alma Mater,

pursuing a Landscape Architecture degree.

Had the economy not nosedived

you would truly be in 'hog heaven . .

living in Florida,

your dream,

and working in a design firm.

And then

P-O-O-F . . .

the economy nosedives . . .

no one needs their

"landscape designed."

You held on until a couple of weeks ago. . .

now, out there in the world of unemployment.

Luckily,

you had started

Infinite Design.

Using that love of flowers

to make weddings beautiful.

With fingers crossed,

I am hoping my "flower" blessing for you

will help you develop the business of your dreams.

Block #14

Matthew . . .

the one who wasn't supposed to be.

When you appeared on the horizon

I can still remember the looks

on your parents faces.

You have grown up

into the most compassionate,

loving,

thoughtful

person . . .

even though you try to hide it

behind your disguise.

Hate to tell you this,

Matt,

you've been busted.

Everyone who knows you

knows you.

You are your father's son.

You are 95% Gaumer . . .

baseball is your love.

Do you still wear your ball cap

slightly tipped to the side?

You did . .

so did your Grandpa Gaumer

who passed that gene to your dad.

I hope it's still there . . .

that genetic tie to the generations before you . .

Now,

Marilyn and Debbie . . .

Hum,

what to do?

What to do?

Dear Lord,

Thank you for giving me 4 kids who thought I was pretty special when they were growing up. You put me right beneath Uncle Tim . . and THAT was a great compliment.

Thank you for allowing all of them to become productive adults . . but, do you think you can still keep an eye on Lauren, Chris and Matt? They each have a lot to do yet. I wish I knew Your plan . . but since I don't, I will have to rely on Your judgement to lead them in a way you see fitting.

Bless all four of them. Protect them while the are still growing into the adults you want them to be. Please protect Allison from anymore pain in her life. Let her keep the abilities she has as long as you see fit.

Amen

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