9-12-2020 Only 3.5 months till we can kiss this year goodbye and good riddance

Truth be told, while I put up a good front most days, most post, it’s a hard gig at our house. Not only are we experiencing all the social & political weirdness that we all are going through today, which is hard enough in its own right, we have a 21 yr old son who is very sick just about everyday. Some days are better than others but the overwhelming majority are just plain awful. Between dialysis bags, throwing up, the shakes, the chills, fatigue, labored breathe, and a variety of body aches and pains, somehow Walker And his family find time to enjoy something especially our wonderful dogs, I don’t think we could function without their Incredible happiness and unconditional love, Or a great meal with family, or a sunset, which are a favorite of mine. These simple joys are what keep us grounded and “happy” most days. I am sure most of you can relate to this just about now.

Another joy that keeps Candy and I in the game is the joy we find in the Lord, reading his words that sustain us, praying to find peace and especially strength, and watching for his next move. Which leads me to share how he moved last weekend in our life. Since Candy went back to work and she got a small bonus for signing on it prompted us to take a couple of nights to go away just the two of us for the first time since the end of 2018. So, I took the initiative, because it’s my job, booking last Friday and Saturday night at a Hilton in St. Augustine Beach which usually is a sure bet to be well kept and clean. Off we went into the great unknown that is public outing these days arriving early evening Friday to a packed St. Augustine Beach.

The first room was not acceptable, the second a little better but not quite and the third was fine. Not off to a good start I’m afraid. It was odd with all the furniture in the front lobby roped off and very few staff around Which led to lots of stuff like towels left sitting in the hallways. We both noticed a sour musty smell in the elevator and halls which we hoped would not remain. Nothing a good martini couldn’t fix we thought and then we got lucky with there being a very good restaurant right next door that we have eaten at in the past, Sunset Grill, so we headed out for a bite. The dinner was surprisingly excellent, which as you know it’s kind of hit or miss right now, we get it, the wait staff were very upbeat and friendly and the food was top notch. We are feeling much better and retired to the Hilton still noticing and not liking the smell. 

After waking, getting coffee, and taking a walk outside, we determined that we were not going to stay at this hotel. Just not going to do another smelly night, no thanks. So, I started calling around to hotels finding no room at the Inn. The place was booked like every good hotel was booked and we weren’t going to settle for less than very good. After calling at least 7 - 8 places that were all booked up, Candy started looking at Orlando which was not my idea of a good time heading back but oh well. She was looking at hotels and found this new place called the Delaney which she had heard about and knew it was nice. I booked it, then we booked it out of there getting lucky to find a seat as one of the first folks in at Mango Mangoes rests which is awesome if you’ve never been. Another saving grace of a good meal, thank you Lord!

We headed back to Orlando and Candy drove after lunch because I wanted to check To see if there might be other hotels Available that were more like a resort than the Delaney which did not have a pool or outdoor grounds. I really didn’t want to stay there. The idea of being kind of stuck in our room without a pool just didn’t seem appealing. On the way back to Orlando, where we found the average speed of the traffic to be 85-90, our 80 mph seemed like the slow lane, I made 3 or 4 attempts to get through to the main Hilton reservation line and could not get anyone on the line. I tried calling the Universal hotels and they were all booked as well, they had only opened 4 of the 8 hotels and sold out. No matter where I looked, no luck! so we arrived at the Delaney and checked in. We were very happy with the artsy boutique style of the place and how clean it was especially. The room was really great and the glasses in room were heavy crystal glasses like you might find at a bar and the coffee maker was a beautiful espresso machine. So far so good. Ok so it was very nice this could work.

These days the tear ducts can flow without much provocation. We, and especially Candy, can cry at just about anything but definitely at the mention of Walkers name. I had mentioned his name and she got up went to the window to look out and we both marveled at the sight of ORMC straight across the street which was another reason I didn’t want to stay there. She was standing there crying and I held her in my arms for a long while then it was my job to go to the store to refresh our martini supplies. On my way to the ABC up the street it dawned on me as if God had thumped on the head with a spoon that God had arranged for us to be at this hotel right across the street from ORMC for a reason. I got back to the room and Candy was in the shower, I told her With tears in my eyes that God had brought us back to the scene of the crime. Walker would have died that day at ORMC where it not for there quick work of Dr. Hunley to make a decision that saved his life moving him by helicopter to AdventHealth to the ECMO floor. 

God brought us to the Delaney to start to heal our relationship which had taken a huge hit over the last year and a half and longer really. We ended up uniting in all the wonderful ways a husband and wife can when free and unencumbered by the distractions of family life. Our one day at the Delaney now gave us a new memory of ORMC which wasn’t about trauma but about redemption and healing. As always, God works in mysterious ways taking us, often unwillingly, to places we need to go for our greater good. I can’t tell you how amazing it was to reconnect with Candy, to remember how much we love one another through all this tough stuff. I could no nothing less than get on my knees and thank God for bringing us to this place. 

Today is a tough day for Walker Grey but we march on taking this journey the only was possible, one day at a time. BTW, I finished The Cyber Security program at UCF in early August now working at landing a job in this ridiculously tough market, not there yet. So, I started a power washing business to make ends meet until I get a job in Cyber Space one day soon. Keep me in mind if you need a good cleaning! 4074422824

Thank you all for caring and praying for my family, especially for Walker’s health. We have a lot more post ahead undoubtedly. May God comfort you and keep you safe through these difficult days.

The McKnights