Friday, June 7, 2013

"Hurrah, hurrah for Israel!"

For better or for worse, it's time to leave Raleigh for three years.  Our ultimate departure was slowed when my right knee went bad this week, and due to the fact that I know an orthopedic surgeon better than I should, he was able to get me on the operating schedule this morning to fix a torn meniscus.
Instead of watching TV in the waiting room, Paula went back home and finished packing and cleaning, and returned to get me.
So, time to finally leave.  However, a couple of hours after a general anesthetic, one often continues to feel some effects, and the surgeon said, "No loading suitcases!"
In addition, Tropical Storm Andrea is passing through, with flash flood warnings and heavy rain and wind. 
Paula and Jacob Jaskolka, our faithful renter, carefully wrapped the suitcases for the back of the pickup. 
I could only supervise.  
All of this reminded me mildly of the account of Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball leaving for their mission to England in 1837.  They and their families were very ill, and Heber gave the following account:

“‘It was with difficulty we got into the wagon, and started down the hill about ten rods; it appeared to me as though my very inmost parts would melt within me at leaving my family in such a condition, as it were almost in the arms of death. I felt as though I could not endure it. I asked the teamster to stop, and said to Brother Brigham, “This is pretty tough, isn’t it; let’s rise up and give them a cheer.” We arose, and swinging our hats three times over our heads, shouted: “Hurrah, hurrah for Israel.” Vilate, hearing the noise, arose from her bed and came to the door. She had a smile on her face. Vilate and Mary Ann Young cried out to us: “Goodbye, God bless you!” We returned the compliment, and then told the driver to go ahead. After this I felt a spirit of joy and gratitude, having had the satisfaction of seeing my wife standing upon her feet, instead of leaving her in bed, knowing well that I should not see them again for two or three years’” (Orson F. Whitney,Life of Heber C. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1967, pp. 265–66).

I can in no way compare our relatively comfortable departure to that of these men, but it's still a little hard leaving our home and family.  Paula has had a chance to pull some weeds and tidy up her gardens, and I've enjoyed the brief respite in a place dear to us.
But, time to go.
We hope your knees and weather are holding up better than ours.
Dave & Paula

2 comments:

bestgrandkidsever said...

So sorry about the delay! We'll pray for quick healing! Hurrah, hurrah for both of you!

Patti said...

Oh my goodness! But so much better to have your knee fixed up here than in Peru. And you have the time to let it heal before you are off and running. Off you go then!