Breath

The unexpected call from my brother-in-law began with the words, “She’s going to be okay, but she’s been in an accident…” and my breath stopped.

The next morning I was standing in my sister’s hospital room watching her struggle for her every breath. She had broken 13 ribs, a clavicle and both lungs had collapsed when she was crushed by an ATV as it rolled over her while she was riding on the sand dunes in eastern Michigan. Initially, her shallow breathing allowed for only a few whispered words and not even enough air to cry even though the pain was excruciating.

Slowly, over the next few weeks in the hospital, she began breathing a little more deeply. We celebrated every time she was able to elevate that little blue ball a bit higher in the hand-held spirometer. Day by day. Breath by breath. Healing happened.

How easy it is to take for granted something as simple as a deep breath. Yet, our breath is an essential part of both our physical and our spiritual survival. Attentiveness to our very breath can be an act of prayer… a reminder that in the beginning God breathed into us the breath of life. We are God's beloved; filled with God's breath.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

I invite you to be still for a moment - even amidst all that is swirling around you - and pay attention to your breath. As you breathe slowly and deeply, give thanks to God for the simple gift of breath.... the gift of life.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

I am thrilled to share that now, six weeks after the accident, my sister is home and breathing more deeply each day. In fact, my mom and I went to visit her last week and she was feeling well enough for us to go watch her son play snare drum in the half-time show. She is alive. She is healing. And for that I give thanks with every single breath.