Not alone

Claire and I spent several hours late Saturday night in the emergency room. She fell at play rehearsal and feared her wrist was broken. It was merely sprained, but the pain was just as intense. This was my first crisis without Ken. As I drove Claire to the hospital, I thought of people whom I could call to be with me at the hospital. Just knowing that there were so many people that I could count on was a tremendous comfort. I thought I was handling things well until I checked Claire in and sat down to wait for her name to be called. She was in pain and there was nothing I could do about it. I called a nearby friend and she was at the hospital in minutes to wait out the x-rays and diagnosis.

The crisis was over and we were sent home with a sling. My friend hugged me and I thanked her for her kindness. "Anytime," she said. And I know that's true.

I survived the crisis without Ken, but I wasn't alone. And I know I don't ever have to be alone.