Both of my sons packed and all three of us MacDonald guys were ready for what my youngest calls a “Daddy and Son Madcapped Adventure.” My wife had an out of town speaking engagement, so that meant the youngest had to travel with my oldest and I. We were on our way to audition for a college. Hopefully, this one will do the trick and “MacDonald the Older” will finish his degree. Whatever the reason, we knew that the trip would be fun.
After traveling about eight hours, we found a hotel and bunkered down for the night. I began to unpack and set up for the next morning. Our drive was quite far, and we would travel another ten hours until we reached our destination. As I unpacked, I took out the medicine, the infusion supplies and the one-inch needle that I use to access my younger son’s port. Packing is not the same for my family as it is for most. My sons have a bleeding disorder and to treat the problem, we must access a vein with particular medication to redirect the clotting process. We have to remember to pack all of the medical supplies that are needed, or we run the risk of having a severe bleeding episode. I made sure that everything was set out and ready for the next morning. After checking, I turned my attention back to the guys and had an incredible pillow fight that must go down into the record books.
My sons are living examples that things are not always what they seem and that sometimes things occur far beyond our own control. The incredible men that I call sons remind me every day that there is joy in the midst of something chronic like a bleeding disorder. We can still live in happiness, even in the middle of a struggle. All we know are needles, and our home looks like a small pharmaceutical company.
Despite the medical issues, life moves on, and goals must be set so that we have something to conquer. My oldest son is finding his place in the world, and I am very proud of the tenacity with which he seeks his life’s goals. My younger son seems to take life in stride and never meets a stranger. He makes me look like the biggest introvert on the planet. Throughout both of their journeys, they remind me to keep moving forward and to never let an obstacle stand my way. Thank God for these amazing men!
From a Pastor's Point of View 