Journey in Numbers

58,000

Sunday is here.

Friends and family members are near.

Yet the merriment seems alien today.

My chatter is hollow.

My smile is skin deep.

My laugh is numb.

At the end of today's silver sky,

I see dark clouds looming ahead.

50,000

Today is filled with hope.

Hope that we've reached the trough.

Hope for an upward turn.

Hope that my Hazel's on the mend.

Hope that this is near the end of Bed 82A.

Alas, today I discover why Red says in Shawshank Redemption,

"Hope can be a dangerous thing".

38,000

The dark grey sky reflects the colour of my soul.

My crazy BB has become too sane. Her smile is forced. Her eyes are dull.

I walk out of the room. I see her name in red. The others are in blue.

If the number drops somemore... I think no further.

Today, even my plastic smile is gone.

I need some rest I'm told, so I go home for a fitful nap - next to where she normally sleeps.

No wonder it's written, "When I am weak, He is strong."

It is my cloudiest hour. Only He can be my silver lining.

41,000

Her smile is back but I assume nothing.

My hope remains in Him.

104,000

Today the sky is blue.

I wait for what we hope is the final test.

My heart is anxious and so I pray.

What He tells me makes me cry.

Only this time it's tears of joy.

Today the still small voice says to me,

"Rejoice, my son. The time for weeping is over."

It's no surprise at all when the good doc says,

"Good news, the count is 104 today."

Praise God. He's carried us through.

Oh no, that means I have to get back to work.