The Circle of Life

This week has been one of those weeks when issues of life and death, health and wholeness have filled our thoughts and emotions. Where to begin is almost as difficult a choice as knowing how to react to all of this news.
First the good news, Joel and Shafali are having a boy. Our first grandchild, to be named Malachi David Frymire, will be appearing somewhere around the middle of September. Both mother and developing child are doing well. The expectant father is, well, oblivious to the changes about to made in his life and happy as a clam that they are coming his way. The grandparents are equally delirious with joy and have only a small understanding of the changes about to take place in our lives as we adjust to having a new addition to the family.
The second bit of news is more of a relief than something to rejoice over. Joanie is having hip replacement surgery this summer and we have been awaiting news of when the surgery will be scheduled. Yesterday we found out that she has the opportunity to have it done in June. After checking with her school and looking at the options, we have chosen to move up her surgery from an expectation of mid-July to June 12. The major factor for me (and for Joanie, too) was the fact that her pain level is increasing exponentially. She has already applied for a handicapped parking permit because she is having difficulty walking. Those of you who know her would be quite astonished at how she limps and lunges as she walks. While major surgery is never a joy, it is a relief to know her pain should be on a short countdown. I don't know if she could have lasted until July, the expected date. The only real downside to this is that, for only the second time in her life, she will miss Anderson Campmeeting. While that may not seem like much, it has become a major part of our lives together. She will miss the friends she gets to see once a year. More importantly, she will miss seeing both her boys and their wives. For that she is sad.
The final bit of news is truly sad. Joel told us tonight that his mother in law found out that she is not pregnant. While the tests came back positive, an ultra-sound showed that there was no fetus in her womb. She will be having a DNC tomorrow and will be adjusting to the news. I'm sure it will not be easy and having your daughter living with you who is in the midst of growing a life in her will prove a challenge for all of them. I have no question that she is strong enough in her faith to handle it all, but it will take some adjusting.
All in all, I guess it just shows the circle of life. Every joy is tempered by sorrow. Every sadness is countered by celebration. In everything there remains the constant of hope - hope for a future that will deliver what it has promised or for a future that will change what has been.