On the floor with me.

"But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish."

Psalm 9:18

Hi everyone. I hope you all had really nice weeks and that you all have great weekends! I am kind of bummed about the weather here in Alabama. It has been in the high 70's all week & that is just not fun! It is November and I am ready to wear my pretty sweaters and winter shoes. You know? Oh, well, that is Sweet Home Alabama for ya!

On the health front, things are pretty bad. I haven't been this sick in a long time; a really long time. It makes me sad but at the same time I am kind of too sick to care right now. I am fainting a lot! (Never, never good.) I have fainted 4 days this week. It is kind of scary because even though I have fainted off and on for at least 10 years now, I always had warning signs before and could get to a safe place and lay down. For the past year, I have been fainting without warning. The fainting subsided for several months but it has come back with a vengeance over the last two weeks.

I think we may go see my specialist in Washington, DC again. It is strange though because part of me doesn't want to go. The past 3 times that I have been, I return home and still haven't improved. I told Mom that I just didn't want the disappointment of traveling so far and being so sick from traveling and being away from home and once again, nothings helps. Ah! Frustration!

I must say though, my family is just seriously beyond words, amazing. I think the best way to explain how wonderful my family is to me, is to share a story with you. (Don't worry, it is short.)

I have fainted two weekends in a row now. This past Saturday I was going to my room and I was holding a drink and I just *BANG* fell on the floor. Apparently my cup and drink went flinging down the hall, covering the walls and ceiling. Oh, the drama I create! ha! After I regained consciousness and started becoming a little bit more aware of my surroundings, I looked down the hall and there was each one of my family members; my mom, dad, sister and aunt. They were all sitting in the hall, legs crossed, waiting for me to wake up. When I did, my aunt looked at me and said,

"Well, you were on the floor. So we all got on the floor with you."

And that my friends is the beauty and really the reality of how wonderful my family is. My aunt had no idea that she voiced an unspoken truth about the Thomas family. When I am sick, we are all sick. When I am happy, my family is over the moon for me. When I am in the trenches, my family is there fighting each day with me and sometimes fighting for me, when I can't. My family gets on the floor with me and stays there until I can come up again.

I am so blessed. God knew my path. He knew the road ahead and He sent me these amazing individuals that are daily example of God's love and mercy. They are my rock. They are my breath. They are my family.

Christmas Morning 2007