Sunday, September 21, 2008

Please Pray - UPDATED

Tom and I just returned home from the hospital. Earlier tonight, we received one of those dreaded and surreal telephone calls saying that Tom's cousin, Karen had suffered a "devastating head injury" today. She was airlifted to a local hospital and after a battery of tests, confirmed to have no brain activity.

We know God can do anything, so of course we immediately prayed that if it be within His will, He would work a miracle and bring about some activity, and ultimately restore the damage that had been done. We headed to the hospital and were shown the way to a waiting area that was absolutely overflowing with family and friends, most of whom are in shock. Around 10:00 pm, her parish priest arrived and called everyone to her room for prayer. There were so many people filling every space around her and spilling out into the hallway. She is undoubtedly well-loved.

Karen is one of the most kind and caring people you'd ever want to know. She has a very strong faith in the Lord and is an incredible servant. This month, she and her husband, Mark are celebrating 25 years of marriage. They have three sons. One who is a sophomore in high school, one who is a senior and their oldest, who is a junior in college. The oldest has been on a mission trip in Spain. He's in the process of trying to get home as quickly as possible. Karen and Tom are the same age (51). They grew up together. When Tom and I were engaged and then married, she was one of the first people in the family to reach out and try to make me feel welcome.

Even though there are already many praying for Karen, her husband, their boys and her siblings, could you please pray, too? We pray with hope, yet fully trust in God's sovereign will. Many thanks.

UPDATE (Sunday afternoon): We learned a short time ago, Karen has passed away. God did indeed heal her body...though not the way we would have hoped. I do ask your continuing prayers for Mark and their boys. They're all great guys and they adored Karen. Please also pray for her siblings. Their family is strong and very close. They have endured a number of tragic losses and difficulties in the past few years. This loss will be felt deeply. Thank you so much.

27 comments:

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

Yes, Yes, Yes,YesYes...I'm PRAYING!!! In Jesus name, I pray for COMPLETE healing for Karen. That ALL brain activity would again resume.

I also pray Father that your presence, love, and peace be felt in the hearts of Karen's family. Comfort them, as only you can Father.

Please keep us posted.

Anonymous said...

Karen and her family have my prayers.

Kristi said...

OH, I'm so sorry to read the news today. Yes, I will be praying. Please, keep us posted.

Sheryl said...

Tears sprung to my eyes as I read your post. What a tragic loss. Will definitely be praying.

-sheryl

Melanie said...

Tracy, I am so very sorry to read this news today. I will be praying for all of you!

Julie said...

I'm here too, Tracy....

I will be 51 in a few weeks. It makes me consider things as I pray....

Hugs,
Julie

Alexis said...

Thoughts and prayers are going up for your family from ours today. We're so saddened to hear of the loss of such a wonderful woman.

Alex said...

My thoughts & prayers are with you & yours and Mark & the boys at this time. Blessings.

Debra Kaye said...

I am so very sorry for your loss and theirs. I will be praying for the Lord's comfort that only He can give.

Tricia said...

Tracy
I am so sorry to hear of your family's loss, I will definitely be praying for Mark and the boys, what a hard thing to have to face, the loss of a wife and mother...

Praying that the God of ALL comforts would comfort Mark, the boys, and everyone else affected by Karen's passing as only He can, may He bring peace in the midst of the suffering and pain...

Blessings!

Edie said...

I am so sorry Tracy. I am praying with and for you all. May the God of all comfort give each of you comfort in ways that speak directly to your hearts. May you be very aware of His presence.

Joyfull said...

Our hearts are heavy to receive the news about Karen, she sounds like a wonderful person who was very much loved and blessed. We do rejoice that she is now healed and in the presence of the Lord. Our prayers will be with her family and friends.

Krista said...

Let me say first that I am so sorry for your loss. I will pray for Karen's boys and for the peace of God to fill their hearts.

Oh, what a day she is having today in the presence of a Holy God!

Praying for you,
Krista

Carmen said...

Tracy,
I will be interceding for her family today. I am very familiar with the shock of such a dreaded occurrence. My Mom passed away last December - virtually the same story - no brain activity, shocked family (just spoke w/ her on the phone earlier that day), sudden prayers, grieving hearts.

But in and thru this all, I pray her family FEELS the overwhelming Presence of the LORD. He said BLESSED are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Interceding...

Susannah said...

This story is a heart-breaker. I'm so sorry for your loss, Tracy. I will remember the family in my prayers. Hugs.

Laurie Ann said...

I'm so very sorry that she was lost to earth but ecstatic that she is at Home with the Lord! Praying the family's strength in God will guide them in their grief and mourning. I'm so sorry, Tracy.

LynnSC said...

Oh Tracy,
I will be praying for your families.
Lynn

Leaon Mary said...

Tracy, I'm so sorry.
My heart aches for them.
It's wonderful to know that she is indeed in heaven... and is such a comfort. But the missing... by the family and friends is really hard. I will be praying for them all.
My love and prayers,
Lea
<*)))><

Addicted to Beadz said...

Tracy,

Oh, such a hard time for families, especially when it is unexpected. I will keep this family in my prayers, and you and Tom, as well.

Love,
Cheryl

Becky said...

Oh, Tracy...my heart just aches for you all right now. I'll be praying for the Lord's comfort and peace to enfold each of you as you walk through this valley of the shadow of death.

What a beautiful testimony to her legacy of faith that so many would gather there to pray for her. Such things minister greatly to hospital staff and others who pass by and wonder what was different about her that would evoke this kind of outpouring and response from so many loved ones.

Prayers going up now. ((Hugs))

Joy Junktion said...

I just read your post. I am so sorry that Karen passed. Though she is now with Jesus, it is hard to be left behind to carry on.
I will be praying for the family.

Sheila said...

I'm also praying!

Susan said...

Still praying Tracy for the family, and for you all~

Peggy said...

Ohh Tracy...I'm so sorry that I'm so late to pray and ask Our Lord to honor your prayer requests! I'm saddened by this great loss to your family and her own! I also rejoice for her complete healing and welcome home! I will pray for the Comforter to bring His peace & comfort for the family and you & Tom! May the Lord Our God hold each one of you in His loving arms and help each one to cope in this tragic loss that they would each grab hold of Jesus & feel His Love!

Nancie said...

Tracy, I am sorry to read about your loss and theirs. I am remembering Karen's family in prayers. Take care.

Paula V said...

How VERY, VERY sad and tragic to lose someone so suddenly and so young. It is one of those things that we take to the Lord wondering why? What good can come? Why now? Why her? The whys and what fors can drive us crazy yet in our humanness we still ask. I still ask almost two years later why my step mom died of cancer instead of Him saving her.

I will pray for the family.
Love,
Paula

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

In a thousand ways, my heart is breaking for you all today and for Karen's family. I'm so sorry. I've been absent from blog land and just now jumping back into things.

Death strikes loud and hard and raw and reminds of us of everything we already know to be true in our heads, but somehow it hasn't quite made its way to our hearts.

Praying for God's deep comfort in these days of mellow mourning.

Love u, my friend.

peace~elaine