Borrowed Angel

Synopsis:

Losing a loved one inevitably results in perpetual, incalculable grief, and there is no loss more significant for a mother than to lose a child — no less an only son. This compelling story concerns a mother who never allows fear and hopelessness to cast a shadow of doubt over her belief in miracles, the power and sanctity of God, and an inevitability of life that is inviolate. 

When discovering her son, Jason, was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer, Elaine prepared herself for the remaining precious time they would have together. But those years were filled with anxiety and trepidation while she watched his life slowly begin to ebb away. After Jason’s three-month stay in the hospital, she discovered what she had known all along: that life is precious and can’t be redeemed by assumptions, empty words, or promises, and if angels do exist, they went unnoticed in Room 420.

Based on true-life events, Borrowed Angel will open your heart to the pain, suffering, and healing of a mother who lost the one thing in life that she loved most. It may help the reader see that angels may not be a figment of the imagination, that they can mend a broken heart, and, despite what others may believe, are servants of a higher being.

                                                     Borrowed Angel

An Excerpt:

The ambulance ride was agonizing. Elaine held her son’s hand while she prayed over him, watching him struggle to catch what she hoped wouldn’t be his last breath. She thought, Was he losing his final battle for his life? He can’t be, I won’t let him! Can’t this ambulance go any faster? Why is it taking so long to get to the hospital? This is an emergency, can’t they see that? He’s my baby, he can’t die. God, please don’t let him die, he’s too young.

 “Try not to worry, ma’am, the hospital’s just around the corner.” Assuring words for a much-needed moment of repose. 

Finally, she thought as she gazed at the hospital staff awaiting Jason’s arrival. They moved him quickly down the corridor toward the emergency room to begin life support. Elaine followed close- by, frightened and alone. The scene inside the ER was “hands-on” while the doctor and nurses worked to get oxygen into his starving lungs. The attending doctor looked at Elaine and said, “If you want your son to survive, you must leave this room. Now!” (Jason was dying from stage three Adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer). 

Her mind raced with anxiety and despair while she paced the corridor, praying and hoping that each step would bring some relief. It didn’t. He’s only 39 years old. He’s all I’ve got. Please, God, don’t let him die. But was God listening to her pleas? Would he spare her beloved son? 

She sat in the waiting room while wild thoughts of despair distracted her from her prayers. She walked the corridor and prayed and prayed some more. Thoughts of pending doom kept filling her head. She fought harder to resist. Sitting with a profound feeling of nausea, she continued to ask God for strength. It was 11:00 p.m., and sadness, fear, and total desperation were at their peak. Frantic notions raced inside of her head, leaving her to feel like she was drowning in an ocean of anxiety and despair. She thought, my God, when will I find out something? She needed to stay hopeful and strong. Jason mustn’t see her any other way. I need to do it for him, I must stay strong. Whatever I do, I can’t cry in front of him. I must stay strong for his sake. She repeated those words over and over in her head. God, give me strength. You promised never to give me more than I could bear. How long will I have to wait? This is killing me”!

She sat, walked, and waited some more. At 4 a.m., she heard footsteps. It was the doctor. They met in the hallway. She was the same pulmonologist who had seen Jason the day before. 

She said, “Jason is on life support, but his body’s shutting down. His airways are closing off, and he’s not getting enough oxygen to survive. There’s not much we can do for him here anymore. 

”You have two choices. Once we get him stabilized, you can move him to a hospice facility, or we can try to keep him alive here for as long as we can. Either way, there are no guarantees that he will even survive.”  

“How long could that be, doctor?”

“Maybe a few hours, weeks, maybe longer. There’s no telling, it depends on his will to live.” 

They walked the hallway to room 420. She thought; No, we are not giving up. I know Jason wouldn’t want it any other way. We will walk these steps together no matter what. There’s no reason for things to change now. Once inside, the urge to cry fostered its underlying intent within seconds. I can do this. I need to do this. I need to stay strong, Jason mustn’t see me cry. The only way Jason could communicate was with his eyes, mouthing his words, and hand gestures. 

She glanced out the window into a vanishing rainbow and a sky that opened up to a bright sun and panoramic view of a large body of water, rolling hills, and a small flower garden below. It gave her the time to gather her composure before facing Jason. She followed the flight path of a small flock of sparrows until one of them withdrew from the group and landed on the branch of a tree sitting in the middle of the garden. It sat there for a second and hopped onto a stone statue before resting on a nearby bench. Her eyes withdrew when she caught sight of Jason lying with a plastic ventilation tube to prevent possible asphyxiation.

There is no greater love than the love of a mother for her son.

Blessings, dear friends,