There Are Still Good People

 

The summer didn’t turn out as planned.

 

For two years, JG and I had planned a three week trip to the United Kingdom and Norway. 

We had chosen our excursions and begun looking for tickets to see a show on West End, 

But JG just wasn’t feeling strong enough to go. 

She hasn’t been feeling well for quite some time. 

Together, we cancelled that trip and individually grieved. 

 

Then we decided that we would do a road trip to VA. 

We’d see some covered bridges and visit the Shenandoah National Park. 

A road trip done in short spurts should be doable, we thought. 

So we talked itineraries and made tentative plans. 

JG’s National Parks pass is even jn my car. 

 

After her three week vacation north, JG was going to go home to her various appointments

And my mom, dad, and I were going to go to the lake for a week. 

Anyone who wanted to and was able was welcome to visit. 

Early into JG’s sickness, I cancelled that reservation. 

 

When I wrote the VRBO owner to tell her why we had cancelled the reservation, 

I explained that my aunt had had a medical emergency that was going to require on-going care.

She wrote me back with her condolences and said family first. 

 

That was a month ago. 

 

This past Saturday, completely out of the blue, 

The host that never got the chance to host us sent me the following message: 

 

Thought about you and your family this past week. Praying your aunt is doing better and you are holding strong as you care for her. I know it can be a blessing but can be draining on you physically. Just wanted to let you know you and your aunt were in our thoughts and prayers. May you be blessed!!

 

I almost cried. 

 

The summer didn’t turn out as planned. 

 

But there are still good people.

And there are still good moments.

And there is still hope of one day getting to go to the lake house owned by the stranger who thought to pray for me and JG and to let me know. 

 

There is still hope for strength. 

 

And I guess, for now, that’s enough. 

 

Amen.