July 30, 2008 | Haven't been hit by lightning yet!, Health is overrated
I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much.
— Mother Teresa
I am no Mother Teresa. Just in case you were wondering.
Otto’s mom is in the ICU, a thousand miles away; and while God may trust us plenty, quite frankly I think He’s being kind of an asshole right now.
Posted by Mir @ 10:37 am
July 30th, 2008 at 10:40 am
My prayers are with all of you.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:40 am
I am so sorry, and am thinking of you and your family.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Always seems to happen that stress piles on top of stress. I’m so sorry. My thoughts are with you and Otto.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Hoping all will be well………..
July 30th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I am so sorry. Hoping Otto is on a plane to see her right now. My prayers are with you guys.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Well crap on toast! Sending hugs and warm, squishy thoughts your way. Hang in there.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Thinking of you…
July 30th, 2008 at 11:02 am
So sorry. Thinking of you..
July 30th, 2008 at 11:03 am
I’m so sorry… thinking of all of you.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Thinking of you all and sending lots of love.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Saying prayers for Otto’s mom…and your family.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Wishing the best for Otto’s mom & sending prayers your way…
July 30th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Keeping her in my thoughts and all of you too.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:22 am
amen sister.
keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:24 am
I am so sorry. Good luck to Otto and your family. Hang in there.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Stay strong. Will keep praying for you guys and Otto’s mom. Perhaps a bubble bath would help?
July 30th, 2008 at 11:27 am
I am sorry. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers…
July 30th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Thoughts and prayers for your family.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Mir,
I hope everything is going to be ok with Otto’s mother. I too will keep her and your family in my prayers…
Guess I will be the first to ask… What did he do to get the new title??????
~~ Please understand… in most cases, Otto is the hero…
Well, when you feel like sharing, we will be here to read it! And give more advice… In the meantime, hang in there and pray! (Just remember to NEVER pray for patience because HE WILL GIVE IT TO YOU!!!)
J
July 30th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Rains, pours, etcetera. Thinking of you all.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:34 am
I am so sorry. My prayers are with you and Otto’s family.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Praying for your family, Mir….
July 30th, 2008 at 11:34 am
So sorry to hear. We’ll keep her in our prayers.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Adding my prayers. . .
July 30th, 2008 at 11:37 am
I am sending good thoughts and prayers your way…I hope it all turns out ok, and soon.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:37 am
I will think good thoughts for all of you.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:40 am
I love the Mother Theresa quote, infact I stole it for someone else, because it’s such a great quote. Now two things.
First: Im thoughts go out to you, Otto, his mother, and your family - of course with a healthy dose of prayers.
Secondly: (and yes I know this is my own opinion and probably not wanted, but) God didn’t have anything to do with this. To quote Forest Gump: “Shit happens.” Sadly this is true, but my heart and prayers still go out to you. And now everyone is thinking I am a be-otch.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Sending thoughts and prayers your way.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:41 am
So sorry — sending prayers and good, healing thoughts your way.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I’m so sorry.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Wishing for a speedy recovery, minimal stress and little guilt. There seems to be so much bad crap flying around lately. I’m taking cover…
July 30th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Mother of Two -
While I occasionally have a God complex, I don’t think I’m the (capital H) “He” she’s referring to.
Unless I really did something wrong this morning … damn it, now I’m worried …
-otto
July 30th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Sending courage and hugs.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Prayers from me as well.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:52 am
You all are in my thoughts…
July 30th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Prayers and good thoughts are heading your way from the Left Coast. Maybe even cookies — should you need them.
Otto, I’m glad you have such a wonderful wife to help you through this time — she’ll be more help to you than you realize.
And, Mir, that why God isn’t much of an asshole really (and I know you know that) but He gave Otto you and you Otto to get through these things. Far better neither of you go through this alone.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Otto and Mir, sending my prayers for Otto’s mother’s speedy recovery and for you both to have strength during this time.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:56 am
prayers with ya, and i love how you put my thoughts about what God gives us, because I feel exactly the same.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:57 am
I’m sorry, Mir. I’ll be praying for your family.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Sending good wishes your way. Hope she is better soon.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Mir & Otto-
I am so sorry for the misunderstanding!
(While I realize it is no excuse, I was up until 1:30 am studying and back at it again at 7 am.)
I will pray for your family… as well as some sleep so I can understand what I am reading!!
J
July 30th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
hugs, prayers and chocolate all around. or maybe bacon, your choice.
I know what it is like having parents eight states away. sucks at times like this.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Thoughts and prayers for all of you.
(and to echo Elizabeth…chocolate and bacon too..of course)
July 30th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
-Big Hugs-
July 30th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Hugs and Prayers and Thoughts for all of you.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I’m so sorry. I hope things turn out OK.
*hugs*
July 30th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
I am so sorry. Please know I’m thinking of you all and I hope things look up soon.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I’m so sorry :( Thinking and praying for you.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Prayers for Otto’s mom and (((HUGS))) to all of you.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Oh, I am so sorry. He can be like that sometimes.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Mir and Otto, sorry to hear this news. We’ll be thinking all the happy-healthy-Otto-Mom thoughts we can until we hear better news!
July 30th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Praying!
July 30th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
I’m sorry. I wish I knew what else to say, but even if I did, I know it wouldn’t change what you’re going through. I’m so so sorry.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I just bought this quote on a plaque and have it hanging in my kitchen. Having just been in the hospital with yet another miscarriage the nurse said she had been reviewing my chart and that my history just “sucked” I agreed. Then she said, “I mean, God doesn’t give us more than we can handle..” I interrupted her and said, “Oh, yes He does. He gives me more than I can handle on a daily basis but it is my job to grow my faith so that I CAN handle it.”
I will pray for everyone. God’s a tough one to figure out, but He isn’t an asshole. One fundamental truth that no one can argue with is that He loves you more than anyone else possibly could. Bottom line is, you can do it with Him or without Him. You still have to go through suffering.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
man, I hope everything turns out okay. worrying about ya’ both.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Oh no! You know what they say - bad things come in threes. So Chickadee’s outburst and the vacation, and then Otto’s mom in the ICU - what’s next?!
I hope she gets better and that everything is okay! I also hope your third thing is something fairly minor to handle!
July 30th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
My prayers are with you.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Oh, Otto! Mir!
{{{{{{{{{Otto}}}}}}}}}
{{{{{{{{{Mir}}}}}}}}}
Lots of good thoughts and white light heading to Otto’s mom and you both.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Sending prayers, keep us updated if you can.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I can’t help but think that Otto’s mom must feel all of these prayers and well-wishes. There must be thousands and millions of them surrounding her, like teeny-tiny, little puffy clouds of comfort.
Hope and strength, Mir. Hope and strength.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I’m sorry this is all coming down at once. Healing thoughts and prayers for Otto’s mom, and peace for you and your family.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Oh No! I wish you all the best.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
OK. I’m breathing a little sigh of relief (weird, I know) right now. I thought all sorts of people in my family were behaving like assholes when my mom was dying in February. (Some of them still are assholes, truth be known.) He can be an asshole right now, and he’s lucky that he has you to be one with. I know I was one when my mom was sick and my husband was right there taking all of it - patiently - and still does today as I grieve. Just hold him tight, be there for him and try very hard not to take anything personally.
July 30th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
OMG, just re-read your post and realized you’re talking about another He - not Otto! OK. I take back the stuff about Otto being the “A” word, but the other stuff about being there for him is still really important. (It did feel good to finally write about the assoholes in my family, though!)
July 30th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
You’re both in my thoughts and prayers. Please let us know how she’s doing when you get a chance.
July 30th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I’m so sorry, and hope you all are holding up. Prayers headed your way….
July 30th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
If there’s anything we can do up here please let us know. Food, a place to crash, errands, etc. Anything.
Otto, you, and Otto’s family are in our thoughts.
July 30th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
I’m so sorry! When God asks for volunteers to handle the tough stuff in life, no one raises their hand. So He’s left with the hard job of choosing someone instead. But with burdens, He also grants you the strength to get through it. Hang in there. I’m praying for you all.
July 30th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Prayers offered for you, Otto and his momma. ((Hugs))
July 30th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Prayers headed your way!
July 30th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Keeping you both (all) in my thoughts right now.
If there’s anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m located in Albany, NY, which if my memory serves, from reading your blog, might be convenient for you. Let me know. I’ll send you my info in an email.
July 30th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Your family, especially Otto’s mom, are in my thoughts.
July 30th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Prayers being sent up from Michigan….
July 30th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Love to you both from the other coast…
July 30th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Prayers your way. Even God has his moments of asshattery, it seems.
July 30th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Saying prayers for Otto’s mom and wishing you and Otto peace.
Post updates as you can. Remember…you are loved!
k
July 30th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
My thoughts are with you and Otto’s family.
July 30th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with Otto’s mom. You guys too.
“Where one or more are gathered”
July 30th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I’m so sorry - my prayers are with all of you.
Remember that while God doesn’t give you more than you can handle, He also knows what’s best and will hold you up through the rough patches. Lean on Him and on each other - that’s why He gave you each other.
Hugs to all - Hang in there!
July 30th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
((((HUGS)))) and prayers sent
July 30th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Mir, you and Otto and His Mom are in my prayers. Now if you will excuse mr. I have to run to post a Prayer request for you guys on both my sites. Hugs and God’s Love and Blessings!-Mike G. said that.
July 30th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Prayers in progress. Mike G. sent me over. Big hug. :)
July 30th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
More hugs and prayers heading to you and yours…
I think Annette said it best above “….He gives me more than I can handle on a daily basis but it is my job to grow my faith so that I CAN handle it.” Well said, Annette, well said…
Otto, I didn’t think Mir was talking about you at all. You have no worries. ;) Go hug your mom…
xoxox
July 30th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Cranking up the prayer wheels. Sending lots of love your way.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Sending good thoughts and prayers for all of you and (((hugs)))
July 30th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
-My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
God speed.l
July 30th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
sending prayers to all of you
July 30th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Many hugs and loving thoughts to you and Otto.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Thinking of you and Otto and your families, and praying all will be well.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Wishing you strength and grace and sending much love…
July 30th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
please get better quickly, Otto’s mom.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Oh no! I will be sending good thoughts and prayers your way. I hope she’s out of there and back home soon.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:33 am
So very sorry. Praying for strength, health, and peace of mind.
July 31st, 2008 at 1:19 am
Ack! Oh my. I hope she and all of you pull through. Positive vibes coming your way from Seattle.
July 31st, 2008 at 5:15 am
Lots of prayers and love coming your way.
July 31st, 2008 at 6:10 am
I’ll be thinking of your family today and hoping that Otto’s mom is well soon.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:07 am
Thinking of you. Sending well wishes to Otto’s mom.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:12 am
Praying for all of you, Mir, and especially for Otto’s mom. May God make His grace and love really evident to you and give you strength and comfort as you go through this.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:52 am
I’m going to second/third what Annette said, “He gives me more than I can handle on a daily basis but it is my job to grow my faith so that I CAN handle it”. Also, although it’s hard to think about DURING it, He will help you THROUGH it if you chose to depend on him for strength/peace… Prayers & thoughts with your family. Hugs & Love..
July 31st, 2008 at 8:53 am
Good, healing thoughts are on their way. Please keep us posted on Otto’s mom. ((((hugs))))
July 31st, 2008 at 9:31 am
Oh, Mir! You and your whole family are in my thoughts and prayers. Please forgive Otto for being a jerk. Sometimes it just can’t be helped in such times of crisis!
July 31st, 2008 at 9:32 am
Oh. Duh! God is being a jerk. Not Otto. Never mind! LOL
July 31st, 2008 at 9:36 am
Thinking of you and your family right now. Hang in there!
July 31st, 2008 at 10:02 am
I’m one of those people who laughs uncontrollably during really inappropriate times so forgive me for giggling at the fact that so many people thought He was Otto. No wonder why he has a self proclaimed God complex. lol
In all seriousness, my thoughts are with you and family today. Hope all is well.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:35 am
Oh, I’m so sorry. I’ll be keeping all of you in my prayers, and hoping for a speedy recovery for Otto’s mom.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:27 am
prayers for all of your family
July 31st, 2008 at 11:52 am
Thinking of you and Otto. I hope she makes a full recovery. I know how stressful having a parent in the ICU is, especially when you are far away (in my case in another country). God bless.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:55 am
Praying for strength and grace for all of you. May God’s love provide a blanket of Grace for all your family now and in the future.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:57 am
Otto, Mir, and family, my prayers are with you and Otto’s Mom and her doctors and nurses.
Also, Cele, I agree with you. I firmly believe in God’s omnipotence and in miracles, but I also believe that God is not “causing” or “giving” all the events that happen to us in our lives. I read a fascinating book years ago called (I think) The Three Wills of God and while who knows for sure, it made a lot of sense to me. I need to find that again and re-read it. Anyway, what I remember from it is that because God allows free will, He set up the world with certain laws of nature and then let us get on with things. He uses what happens as lessons and opportunities for us and is certainly with us throughout everything, but is not micro-managing our lives. If He did micro-manage, we wouldn’t have free will. The book says it much better than I can, but after reading it, I’ve never blamed God for anything that happens to me or my loved ones. It was very comforting in that way and answered a LOT of questions.
However, the important thing here is not my beliefs, so I’m sorry to go on. The important thing is all the good thoughts, prayers and good wishes that are going up for Otto’s Mom and all of you.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I hope Otto’s mom will be ok.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Well, not to be a party pooper, but this is why I don’t believe in god.
July 31st, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Thinking of you all.
July 31st, 2008 at 2:06 pm
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
July 31st, 2008 at 2:36 pm
God didn’t cause this to happen, and frankly calling Him an asshole isn’t going to help you, Otto, Otto’s mom, or any of the people who read this site and admire you.
Sadly, my admiration for you just slipped a few notches.
July 31st, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Wow, Lar, that’s very supportive of you. Oh wait NO IT ISN’T.
Mir, my heart goes out to you and your family. Know that I will also be praying in my own agnostic way.
July 31st, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Lar, I hope you have no one judging your reaction to a difficult situation anytime soon. I admire Mir for putting herself out there despite people like you.
And trust me, God can take it.
Prayers to you Mir and your family.
July 31st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Hope Otto’s mama will be okay. Hang in there!
July 31st, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Prayers for you all … hope she recovers quickly. Please keep us posted.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:39 pm
You and your family are in my thoughts an prayers, too. {{{hug}}} I wish there was something I could say that would make this all feel better.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Sadly, Lar, my admiration for you just slipped a few notches.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Hugs and prayers from us {{{}}}
July 31st, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Keeping you all in our thoughts. Love the quote.
July 31st, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Mir, I’m thinking good thoughts for you, Otto, Otto’s mom, Chickie, and Monkey.
July 31st, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Thinking of you all. (And that’s the Yankee “you all” as in “all of you.”)
July 31st, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Thinking of your family at this time. I understand the asshole sentiment at times….
July 31st, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Mir,
Hugs and Prayers from Oklahoma… you know, the buckle of the Bible belt. I was talking to Him today, ummm the big Him, that is, not Otto… and He told me to tell you that He understands.. He gets that a lot, and He’s big enough to take it. Even when He feels the farthest away, He really is right next to you. Oh, and one more thing, I think even Jesus felt the same way when He asked from the cross, “My God, why have you forsaken me?”
I think that might be the coolest thing about God.. you can be upset with Him one minute, and then the next minute He is taking you in His arms and making it all better. He’s a great Daddy that way.
Please know that we are praying for your family and Otto’s Mom.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Just said a prayer for you.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:37 pm
It’s redundant, but I’m thinking about y’all.
And please, feel free to be pissed at God - what child hasn’t been mad at his or her Father from time to time? It’s part of the gig, as the parents in the crowd know.
In all seriousness Mir, I may not know you face-to-face, but I read here every day, and you feel like a dear neighbor I look forward to checking in with on a regular basis. Your delightfully snarky and very resonating entries have helped me out of some dark days. So, I may be all the way down in Southwest Florida, but if there’s anything you need, just ask…and I mean that in the most un-stalkerish way possible.
-K
August 1st, 2008 at 12:44 am
I hope Otto’s mom is in perfect health soon
I hope Lar, who on her website refers to herself as ‘Friend of God’, will also be in perfect health soon.
August 1st, 2008 at 9:34 am
I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to come across as unsupportive. Of course I hope that Otto’s mom gets better, and quickly.
I get mad at God sometimes too. My 9-yr-old daughter has a chronic GI disease that gives her terrible pain, and I hate watching her suffer, and I often cry out to God asking why she has to go through this. I understand the frustration with wondering why the world is the way that it is, when God could wave his hand and just fix it.
But it offended me deeply to read the Creator of the Universe described as an asshole. And two comments above mine, Michelle said, “This is why I don’t believe in God.”
Reading that comment, I got angry that Mir was using this platform that God has blessed her with to give ammunition to those who believe God doesn’t exist or is irrelevant. I just wished that she had been more careful with her words.
Again, I apologize for coming across as unsupportive. That was not my intent, and I do hope and pray that Otto’s mom will heal quickly, and that the family will take comfort in each other, and that God will give them the peace and strength to do whatever they need to do in the coming days.
August 1st, 2008 at 9:39 am
Holding Otto’s mom and all of your family in the light.
August 1st, 2008 at 11:53 am
Mir and Otto… I’m so sorry. I hope things are improving.