Karen's Day at Shands

Karen wanted a place for family and friends to be able to see how she is doing each day at Shands. This is how she is making that happen.

Ginny’s Dream

February8

Ginny Sprague says:
After my 16 hour shift, sleeping on the couch from midnight to 6a.m., and trying in vain to slurp down a cup of coffee to shake away the sleepiness…I decided to return to bed and catch an extra hour of sleep…and I dreamed…

….I was walking alone in a shopping bazaar of sorts, thinking about how I didn’t really “have time” to be shopping when I had so many other things to do (should be doing) and trying to remember where I parked the car (and wondering if I could give my husband the directions to the shopping place so he could come and get me as I was not familiar with it…because it was my dreamland shopping mall) when all of a sudden I looked up and saw a beautiful radiant and obviously happy young woman who looked like Karen. I was so startled…I yelled her name across the bazaar’s gardens to the other side where she jumped and looked at me with such surprise! I couldn’t believe my eyes!!!! Without taking my eyes off of her, I ran to her. Iumping over the retaining wall, and running around beautiful rose bushes and flowers. With my body trembling and hands shaking, I touched her beaming, smiling face. I let my hands drop to her tiny little shoulders and then ran my hands down her arms to her hands….they were so small and warm! I remember thinking about her funeral and touching her beautiful hands. I became so confused and asked her, “Are you real?!” She laughed and told me, “Darren (her brother in law/Laura’s husband) had acted strangely when he saw me too!” I remember questioning “Darren sees you?”…”How?”…”Why hasn’t he said anything?”…”Why would he want to say anything?”…”We would think he was ‘touched’!” and then when she still seemed to be laughing at my stammering and shaking while squeezing her hands, I asked her, “Karen, do you know that you have passed away?” She instantly giggled, shrugged her shoulders and looked down sheepishly. With a voice just barely above a whisper said, “Yes, and I am probably not supposed to be here…but….!” To which I answered, “Well, I am probably not supposed to talk to you either…Oh! But Karen, I miss you so much! I love you sooooooo much! My heart is broken! I have never felt so much sorrow”…She seemed so surprised by this and then she looked confused. Almost like she couldn’t understand because she was so happy! Then I awoke in my own bed, in my own room, and started to sob! I do miss my precious sister, I can’t wait to see her in heaven! Thank you God for giving her to me for 43 years…

I dreamed the week before of Karen…In my dream I found myself in an area that was unknown to me (like a field)…with a feeling of impending danger…and Karen was there…she told me to “get ready” as she reached down and picked up a bat! I remember being so glad to see her! I didn’t know what was about to happen but it was going to be a fight…I remember telling her I didn’t want to hurt anyone…but there was such a sense of urgency! She yelled at me to “pick up the bat” and then she stepped into a protective stance with her back against mine, facing outward. I reached down picked up my bat and made ready for an unforseen enemy…knowing that she had my back and would fight to the death for me as I would for her! Karen was a tiny thing…but a fighter for sure! She fought hard for the “time” that she had with her children and her loved ones!

I called my mom and dad after I awoke and told them of the vivid dream…they felt in their spirit that it depicted the spiritual battle we are in daily. We must all pray and edify one another that we may all be strong for the battles ahead…putting on the armour of God…carrying the sword of truth…and letting His word be a lamp unto our feet…until we are home with Him. As my heart mourns the loss of my dear sweet sister…and my memories are filled with loving remembrances of her…I am comforted by a loving Heavenly Father who takes me into his arms and fills that now empty space. Thank you, God for saving me through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus. I can’t imagine selflessly sending my son to die for anyone including those that I found worthy and deserving of saving! And You sent Yours that ALL who would believe in him would not perish but have everlasting life and relationship with you (irregardless of being worthy or not)! Thank you, God, for saving my sister, that she now has eternal life with you…thank You for healing her…and thank You for the Peace that passes all understanding…God, please comfort and bless everyone that knew her and loved her…Lord, reach out to those who do not know You. Speak to their hearts that they may come to know our Awesome Heavenly Father…that they may experience forgiveness the depths of which cannot be measured, and love that has no bounds. May they have abundant life here on earth and share in heavenly gift of eternity with Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Amen