When life offers second chances....take them

Life sometimes offers us a second chance to right our wrongs. Those second chances often come disguised as tragedy waiting to be recognized as a miracle.

Such was the case 20 years ago. Life was great and I didn’t think anything could change it, until I received a call late one night about a month into my new job from my brother-in-law saying that if I wanted to see my father alive, I had better come quickly. He had suffered a major heart attack and was in a coma. The doctors didn’t think he would make it through the night.

I thought of nothing but getting to my dad’s bedside. In that moment much of what I had believed to be important became insignificant, including the new broadcast job I had recently landed.

I drove two hours in a fog of tears and regret. The tears were for the thought of never seeing my dad alive again, and the regret was for the many times I didn’t take the opportunity to tell him the important things in life like, “I love you.” As I drove through the night I vowed that if I was given another chance, I would never miss the opportunity again.

Most of the first night at my father’s bedside is difficult to recall. I do remember calling my boss to tell her my father was in a deep coma and from one moment to the next we didn’t know if he would make it. I went on to say that I didn’t know when I would be in again. Until all was said and done, I hadn’t realized how truly blessed I had been to get that job and that boss. She not only said don’t worry about coming back until I was ready, she also told me I would continue to draw a paycheck which was a huge relief.

When I walked into my father’s room I was shocked at what I saw. Laying helpless and lifeless with tubes in every part of his body and on life support was the man who for so many years had prayed for me to find a better path in life. There lay the man who I was just beginning to have a relationship with after so many years of having pushed him away. This was a man who had been a loyal husband for over 35 years and a great example of someone who stood by their commitments.

After the first week of my dad’s heart attack, it became apparent that my father might remain like this for quite some time, possibly never coming out of his deep sleep.

Over the following weeks there was so much healing that took place in my family. Old wounds were slowly mended between my mother, sisters, and myself.

Even though my father could not respond to my words of love to him, I sensed he could still feel my love.

When the weeks turned into nearly a month there was talk that my dad would likely stay this way indefinitely. I get God bumps when I think back to the first motion my dad made. First it was a slight movement of a finger. Soon the finger became two, then a hand, and then his eyes opened. Over the next few days he was waking from his sleep.

Sadly, his body was coming to life, but his words were confused and disoriented. He talked of bizarre things that had happened to him that we knew hadn’t.

The greatest miracle was yet to come when little by little my dad became coherent. Wondering where he got the strange stories we realized his experience was based on what had been on television for the 28 days he’d been in a coma. The television had been turned on a lot during his stay. It was evident what went into his subconscious became his reality.

The story you just read is a portion of a chapter in the newly released book, Overcomers, Inc. During the time of the release of this amazingly healing and inspirational book my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer and within weeks transitioned from this life.

One of the greatest blessings I received was that my father was able to read the story I dedicated to him called, Second Chances. This was the last story he heard before taking his journey into eternity.

There is something very special about Overcomers, Inc. It has been written by 38 ordinary men and women who share extraordinary stories and insights to show that no matter what, life holds mysteries and miracles that abound.

To learn more about Overcomers, Inc., go to http://www.overcomersbook.com/booklaunch

Comments

[Chantal Beaupré]

Dear Kathleen,

Needless to say I am deeply, deeply touched by your story. It reminds me of more difficult times I had with my very own father, a couple years before he transitioned from this life (in 1998).

From the bottom of my heart, I wish to thank you for sharing it with the world.

Warm hugs,
Chantal