Thoughts from the CCU at 4:49am

I've been at the hospital for almost 24 with my dad who had surgery to remove blockage in the carotid artery in the right side of his neck.  He's doing fairly well but has been in CCU since about noon yesterday.  We are hoping that after they get him up and walking this morning he will be released.  As I've sat in this waiting room for the last many, many hours (I can only see him at 5:30am, 9:30am, 1pm, 5:30pm, and  8pm) I've thought of many things.  


Here are just a few:

• It is painful to watch people find out their loved one is going to die.  Truly heartbreaking. And I've seen it 4 times in the last day. Heartbreaking.
• I am blessed to have such sweet friends.  Truly blessed.
• God works in mysterious and amazing ways.  He is truly awesome.
• Hospital waiting rooms become like families after dark.  You share snacks, books, blankets- everything- with people you just met. 
• The chairs in CCU are NOT meant for sleeping. AT ALL. Especially if you have a herniated disc.  
• You have no secrets in the waiting room.  You can hear every phone conversation and conversation with a doctor that goes on.
• People handle grief and pain differently. Some laugh, some cry, some are silent, some are LOUD, some yell, some curse.  There is no right way. 
• As much as I hate that I am here, I am thankful that I've been here to pray for so many hurting, devastated families.