Lay Down Your Burdens, Come As You Are 

Kathy is one of my very closest friends. She was our Bible study teacher. She has also been my son’s guardian. We both like plants. The difference is that I like flower and the the most favorite one is Mei Hua. She likes grass and the lowest one is Lan Hua Chao.  

After leaving her for ten years, I received her email telling me that she has been writing a “book” on the past 1 1/2 years, but will do her best to make that short and then if I have questions....just ask.

I was confused by the “book”. After reading through entire email, I figured out she got medical problem in past one and half years. 

1  1/2 years ago she was walking with some limitations but at least getting around short distances. Ended up going to the doctor  because things were getting pretty difficult.

She went from walking, to using a cane, to walking sticks, to walker and to a wheelchair. She mostly dependent on others to transport me.
She has been on steroids for treatment in the home in result that she could take a few steps. Eventually, she was actually able to go about 10 steps into the hairdressers.  However, she is also having a hard time with breathing, swelling in legs, tightness in chest, etc.

It is so sorry to hear about her medical problem. We wish she will become better soon. Life is unpredictable. It is not always going the way we expect. Nobody’s life is perfect.

When people become older and older. The hormone will change dramatically. That may make a huge impact on the human body physically and mentally. 

Some people feel very uncomfortable, such as:

1. Weak and great fatigue. Swelling in legs and arms.  2. Short breathing, tightness in chest and fast heart beat.  3. Easy sad and angry. 
4. Hot flash and body vibrating inside. 
5. Muscle pain. Even not able to travel and handle daily life.  ……
Usually, doctors may not be able to diagnose correctly. They may just relay on the lab tests and then find nothing wrong. 

So, the best way to treat the difficult time is to do exercise as possible as we can. For example, Taiji, music, walking slowly, sunshine, reading, writing and singing.

Also, writing books are very good way to kill time. I mean the book is real book not like Kathy mentioned one. 

I told Kathy she is not alone. In order to encourage and comfort her I told my cousin’s story by email.

My cousin has harder situations in past several years just like Kathy is experiencing. Now, my cousin is still  not able to handle her diary life totally. But, she could travel everywhere with the help of her husband by wheel chair. Last Thanksgiving day, they even visited Canada.

In 2010, my cousin went though difficulty in life. She was became totally disabled due to the severe medical issues. She even could not be able to type a computer keyboard. Finally, her husband bought a tablet so that she can type by the on-screen keyboard. From then on, she started to write some books at home. So far, my cousin has published nine books including her personal memoirs. 

From my cousin’s experiencing, I wish Kathy can get strength and be able to stand up again.

When I look back over my life living  together with Kathy, I remember about what Kathy and her husband had done for us. They both did great help for us to settle down in there and she taught us Bible and leading us to become Christians. 

With God, we believe she absolutely can overcome any trouble. She will get restoration and recovery and will be able to visit us some day.

God bless Kathy to 

Lay down her burdens, 
Lay down her hurt, and 
Lay down her heart.
Come as she is.