Part 1- My Knee
On Friday Dec. 6th I went in to consult an orthopedic surgeon about having knee surgery. I was hoping to have it over or right before break because I wanted to use those 2 weeks off to recoup. I wasn't anticipating their timeline working out with mine but was very surprised and happy when they told me they could do it the next Thursday the 12th. I asked if my insurance would authorize it in time and they said they most likely would but if not they could get me in on the following Monday the 16th. I went home last minute snagged a great substitute-who even cancelled an existing job so she could take my class the whole week. (Her name is Kristi, she is important to this story). Then I worked on a weeks worth of lesson plans (a lot of work) and grades for report cards. I checked in a couple times asking about insurance authorizing and was told it was sent in and would be approved. On Wednesday, I call the hospital to check in. The doctors office hadn't let them know about me. I call the doctors office, and what seems to be the rest of the universe. They tell me they don't know the details but will call me back. Meanwhile the hospital sets me up for surgery and I talk to billing people. All of this is happening while I am teaching, my students are very patient. I get a voicemail around 10:00 AM the morning before my surgery. They cancel it, the insurance hasn't authorized it. I cry, pretty hard, I pray even harder, specifically asking for a miracle that the insurance would authorize it quickly and things will work out. I call my insurance at lunch, supposedly the Orthopedic office had only submitted the paper work at around 9 that morning. The insurance company had already authorized it by 11:15 when I called them. Now, I am an emotional wreck but hopeful. Holly my officemate/teacher-next-door comes in for an update. I tell her what happened. We sit there and she and I offer a prayer of thanks. I remember her asking that I could get a hold of the Dr's office and that everything would work out the way it was supposed to. I finally get to talk to the girl who had set up my surgery, 'sent in the paperwork' and cancelled it. I let her know the insurance had authorized it and she confirmed that as well but in the 2.5 hours since then they filled my surgical spot- I pleaded but she said she couldn't cancel them (funny they cancelled me). I remind her that she assured me that I could then have a spot on that Monday. She tells me it is all full as well and that she can not get me in until Jan. 6th. That is too late because I am not willing to leave me students for a month. I was crushed and upset and crying. My Heavenly Father had granted me the miracle I had asked for, insurance authorization, but at the same time I still wasn't having surgery. I knew what his will was but I still hurt, both physically in my knee, and emotionally. I continued in the bad mood, but tried to look for reasons why it was supposed to be cancelled. Maybe there would have been an accident, maybe I wasn't supposed to have surgery at all. I had no idea but I trusted my Father.
Part 2- Friends
The original surgery plan had me staying in Sierra Vista with my family to take care of me for 3 weeks during break. Well that didn't happen. Instead I taught through the 20th. I had some church obligations so I wasn't going home until the 23rd. I decided to fake a smile and hang out with friends that night even though I was exhausted. I went over to a girls house and had a little fun but still kind of a downer. When we were headed to our cars my home teacher invited me to join him at our favorite sandwich shop with him and his pal Derek the next day. Sandwiches are delicious and are a sure fire way to cheer me up. I went with them on Saturday and had this thing, the picture is only have the sandwich. It's called a Randy. Rye, pastrami, corned beef, sauerkraut, and tasty beyond reason. When we finished I was hopped up on good food and eyeing a andouille sausage they had behind the counter. I got it and we decided I would introduce them to gumbo that evening. It was fabulous, and I enjoyed spending time with my friends. The next day was Sunday and my friends decided they were going to Winterhaven to look at the lights. I went with them and we had a great time. We were walking as group when I realized I was no longer with the group but just walking with Derek, and I was enjoying it quite a bit. Derek is a 5th grade teacher and we had talked about the gift cards we had gotten from our students, we had (still have-or at least I do) a lot. His words "Random thought, we should take all of our random gift cards and go on a gift card date during the break". Sure thing that sounds great, I am going to Sierra Vista tomorrow but will talk to you when I got back in town a week later. In the mean time he had found some excuse to text me something each day. Typically I ignore people and texts, especially when I am with my family, but I kept responding. I told my Mom that I thought he was trying to 'woo' me. She asked how I felt about it and, well, didn't mind. I come back the following Friday, and we set up our date for New Year's Day. Both of us had church committee commitments for different NYE parties. On Monday night, we had a game night at his house and watched a movie. I remember being irritated because he wasn't paying enough attention to me, which was a completely new feeling because I am usually indifferent to guys. I also had thought I made a spot next to me for him to sit during the movie but he sat on the floor next to me instead. He must not have been as in to me as I thought. I was wrong.Part 3- NYE/Day
On the Eve, I was in a VERY BAD MOOD. I had to go to a dance I didn't want to be at, I had somehow volunteered myself to make 100 burritos for it. And my knee decided to swell up nice and big. The dance went off well and as I am about to head home I get a text letting me now that we are watching a movie at Derek's. I decide to go knowing full well I am just going to fall asleep. However, this time Derek sits next to me. A little ways in his pinky gets brave and he makes a move. We hold hands. Swoon. The movie finishes. Everyone is still there. Typically Derek would send everyone home. Oh no, lets watch another movie....and another. Oh, it's 8 in the morning we have a date tonight we should get some sleep. Typically I would have fallen asleep, woken up half way through and said good night. Oh no, I was awake, and just kept holding on. We went on our date, and then another, and another, and nearly every night or day since. He is my favorite.
Part 4-Timing intermingled
Derek and I have been friends for almost a year. We went out back in September when he helped me pick out my gun. Kristi, the sub, is a family friend of theirs and tried to set us up on a blind date way back in August. When she found out we were friends she questioned me about him ALL the time. We were friends. But something over that break, when I was supposed to be at home with my family, changed. The timing was right, and I became satisfied with my cancelled knee surgery. We will do it later, I can push through the pain. Things like these make it easier.
Pretty Flowers
9 MM magazines.
