I’ve been thinking back to New Year’s Eve when Phil was rushed to the hospital in septic shock and re-reading all of the entries we have written since re-starting the blog January 4th. In some ways, it feels like an eternity. In other ways, it seems like a tornado in the night that hit us so fast without warning.
This past year, Phil had been hospitalized five different times. Sometimes he’d be in the hospital for a couple of days or a week or so, but he’d always come home ok, just with some new directives from his doctors. On New Year’s Eve, we all thought it would just be another one of those trips where he needed an anti-biotic drip, or fluids for dehydration, or some other relatively simple issue. Never, ever did any of us imagine that we’d be where we are now.
Although we’ve had some time to process what is happening, it still seems surreal. In one moment, we feel at peace, and in another moment, we are overcome with sadness and tears of grief, and in another we are angry, and in another just shell shocked. But through this roller coaster of emotions, we have remained steadfast in our desire to follow the wishes of Phil and to stand together as a family.
Since Phil’s accident 2 1/2 years ago, and especially over these past 2 1/2 weeks, Phil has brought us closer together as a family. The Henry’s have always been a family with a lot of love, but now we are quicker to tell each other how we feel and to keep each other close. Phil has always been the keystone of our family, so it’s no wonder that he has managed to make all of us stronger even as he endured the toughest of times. So even though we face such a tragic heartbreak very soon, we are fortunate that Phil left us the most lasting and powerful gift of all: a family united. For that, we cannot thank our beloved Philly enough.
Henry’s,
I am a firm believer in that we live what we learn.
Taught from the Grand Kate Henry, on down, you learned how precious family is. Although we always know this, sometimes is does take a crisis for us to remember.
You have always been, and will continue to be a wonderful family. Some of my fondest memories are from the Henry’s house. A place full of love (sometimes fights!), and a warm, welcoming place.
You are all in my prayers. Kisses to Phil.
With Love, Katie
By: katie cohill-smith on January 18, 2010
at 10:13 pm
You don’t know me, but my husband, Jim, and I are very close friends of Dick and Annabelle. Last week, Annabelle told me what was going on with Phil and I immediately put him and your family in my prayer journal to pray for all of you daily. Everyday, before I say my prayers, I visit this website to check on his progress. I must say, you are all so blessed with an incredible family and Phil is richly blessed to have so much genuine love and concern from, not only family, but also his friends. What a wonderful gift to hold so dear to all of your hearts, not just now, but for all eternity. I would like to share a particularly favorite verse from God’s Word that I think will be an inspiration to all of you.
II Timothy 4:6-8…
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.”
When the last jewel is placed in Phil’s crown, be assured, God will lift Phil’s soul from his frail body and He will give Phil a new one…a perfect one. What a comfort that will be and know you will all see him again, in that perfect body.
May God continue to richly bless all of you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers…..forever.
Vicki Hughes
By: Vicki K. Hughes on January 19, 2010
at 10:28 am
Phil – I am confident you are surrounded in love and light that will nuture and protect you.
Much love – Liz
By: Liz Snider on January 19, 2010
at 1:28 pm
Megan,
You, your family and your Philly have been on my mind all day. Thank you so much to keeping those of us who love Phil aware of his day to day. I will pray for God to wrap the Henry family in the most beautiful, loving and healing quilt/blanket of love and peace possible. Janet
By: Janet Dakers on January 19, 2010
at 9:20 pm