I once read that when we need it the most, God's grace will come to us like tiny stitches in torn fabric. In March of 2005, nine months after my heart attack, there was, splashed across the front page of newspapers around the World, the controversial details of the Terri Schindler-Schaivo case. All were asking the same question. Should they, or should they not remove her life sustaining feeding tube. The Schindler family had been locked in a decade plus long legal battle with their son-in-law over the care and custody of their then, 41 year old daughter. Terri had suffered massive brain damage when she suddenly, at the young age of 26, collapsed at her home from what was described as a mysterious cardio-respiratory arrest for which no cause was ever determined. She was not on life support, she was not brain dead, but she was in a severe vegetative state from which, according to most doctors, she more than likely would not recover. Opinion polls were being taken. Individuals as well as special interest groups and religious organizations were getting involved, demanding that their voices be heard. It seemed to be the number one topic around water coolers across this country, and elsewhere. Conservatives and liberals alike were impassioned, taking staunch, unwavering positions.
I was vacillating back and forth between the parents views and the husbands position. That is until I happened to read what later proved to be, for me, life changing words from a newspaper interview with Rick Warren, author of the book, 'The Purpose Driven Life'. When asked his opinion on the Terri Schiavo case Rick Warren answered without hesitation. "The answer for me is clear," he said. "I am firmly against the removal of the tube. God put each of us here for a purpose, and that includes Terri Schiavo. We may never know or understand what her purpose is, but she has one. We all do. We are all necessary pieces of God's very large puzzle coming together in order to complete his plan. It's not about us . . . it's about him."
That March day was life changing for me. After so much searching I felt I had finally found the answer I had been looking for. It was alright if I didn't know my specific purpose in life, or how my 'piece' would eventually fit into God's overall puzzle. The self inflicted burden of responsibility I had been dragging around for so long was suddenly being lifted. What a tremendous feeling of relief!
It has been over two years since I happened upon that interview. Since then I have continued to make strides in regaining control of my life, no longer feeling like a victim. I view my heart attack as "a very significant event in my life", but no longer allow it to be the "main event."
Do I have the luxury of assuming that a headache is just a headache? That muscular aches, nausea or fatigue are just that, nothing more? Unfortunately no, . . . and the reality is that I probably never will again. But today I'm happy, healthy, and would like to think much wiser than I was three years ago. Many of the things I once felt were important aren't . . . and vice versa. I don't forget to tell the people I love, that I love them, and I do remember to thank God for each new day. I have learned how to not say yes when I want to say no, and I burn the designer candles and drink from the good crystal whenever I want! All of these are benefits I've awarded myself through age and the sum of my experiences . . . all of them.
The issues surrounding women with heart disease is very REAL. Sobering statistics have shown that one in three women will die from cardiovascular disease. Because their symptoms present themselves so differently, and so often go undetected, more women will die from heart related problems than from the next seven leading causes of death combined. I, like so many other women, had heard these statistics in the past, but obviously had never "HEARD" them!
Thankfully, great strides and many successes, have recently been made by the American Heart Association in an effort to significantly reduce disability and death from cardiovascular disease. Our legislative leaders, most of which have been personally touched by this issue . . . either through a wife, mom, sister, daughter or friend . . . are now standing together and agreeing that heart disease research, prevention, and treatment for women needs to be a top priority!
Author Resource:-
Jeannene H. Edwards, owner of Interiors Defined, Inc.
is a highly sought after public speaker, author, professional home
stager and licensed interior designer in Orlando, Florida. In addition
to her interior design and home staging services, Jeannene has merged
with David Edwards Construction, a division of Interiors Defined, Inc.,
enabling them to now offer complete architectural design and building
services to further meet the needs of their clientele. Jeannene is a notable and accomplished speaker, known for her exciting and informative seminars. Her award winning designs and 'how-to' articles have been widely published in newspapers, magazines and trade manuals nationally. For additional information regarding her Step by Step E-Staging Guide, or the many other services offered by Interiors Defined, Inc. please contact Jeannene H. Edwards or David Edwards at:http://interiorsdefined.com/,http://idihomestaging.com/, andhttp://davidedwardsgc.com/
![[Valid RSS feed]](/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
