Psalm 150:1-2 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
I am a living, walking miracle.
I have said that before, but I can say it again, because I know it is true.
Over the past three years, my family and I have had trials and tribulations.
In October, 2020, I was diagnosed with osteomyelitis.
Osteomyelitis is an infection in the bone or bone marrow and can be serious if left untreated. It is a rare condition, with less than 200,000 cases diagnosed in the United States annually.
I endured surgery and antibiotic infusions in Jacksonville, FL, several hospitalizations and was finally released to do therapy and rehab, first in Nahunta and later at Harborview Pierce County.
As rare as it was for me to have it, my beloved wife of 45 years, Margie, also contracted it and the two of us were very sick.
I developed pneumonia the following month. My condition was to the point that my family was advised to admit me to hospice.
In the midst of our illnesses together, we also endured the loss of our daughter, Anna Watson, to cancer.
Fast forward to March 2 of this year.
I developed cellulitis in my legs and after being admitted to the hospital for treatment of that condition, I coded, not once, but twice.
It was touch and go for a while. I don’t remember anything about it. I woke up about two weeks later.
I had to have surgery to have a feeding tube put in one day and surgery to install a pacemaker the very next day. I am now in rehabilitation.
I wonder sometimes why God has spared me. I have no doubt in my mind it is a miracle. God has brought me this far. I praise His name forever. Hallelujah!
I am thankful to have finally met my birth family and to have a relationship with them.
I am thankful for Margie and I love her very much. I love my son, Matthew and his wife, Miranda.
I am thankful for my grandchildren, Skylar, Hunter, T.J., Jett, Foster, Maddie Jo and Nolan and I am thankful God spared me to allow me to see my great-grandson, Jude.
Only God knows what is next in my life, but through all of my suffering and heartache, I am thankful to still be alive and I give God all the glory and the praise.
I want to thank everyone for their prayers.
Praise ye the Lord!
• Jerry Kimbrell, of Patterson, is a retired minister of music, having served several congregations thoughout his years of ministry.
