Thankful

Tonight I am feeling very thankful. One year ago tonight I was coming out of brain surgery. I don't remember much of that night, but my kids tell me I was kinda funny in Recovery. I only remember later, about 2:30 am in the Neuro ICU, when my blood pressure "went through the floor," as my nurse put it. I remember lots of people working on me, sticking me with needles on every extremity. I blew five lines, and they failed three attempts at getting a central line in. I was in and out of it, but I had a real sense of calm, in spite of the frenzy going on around me. I just felt God's presence with me, and I knew I was completely in His Hands.
They finally managed to put some kind of stent thing in my arm that was very painful, but allowed them to start the first of two units of blood into me. I think I had an IV line in my leg too, but I 'm not sure. The memories are kind of fuzzy.
That blood is something else I am so thankful for. I am thankful for the two strangers who donated that blood. I used to donate blood on a regular basis, until they gave me a permanent deferral because of my heart problem. It always felt good to be able to help someone in need. I never expected to be on the other end of the transfusion. I suppose no one does. But you sure appreciate it when you need it!
Today, I got to go to a baby shower for my best friend Julie's daughter. One of the guests was telling me about a friend of hers who just died from a brain tumor, and I was reminded again of how blessed I am to be alive. Tonight I got to go to church and praise the God who brought me through the worst time of my life, never leaving my side, constantly meeting every need that I had. Two people gave their blood to save my life here on earth, but Jesus shed His blood to give me an eternal life. I cannot begin to measure how thankful I am.