THE GIFT: Time truly a treasure

After surviving a trip through Wednesday's half-blizzard, half biblical flood, I figured the day was over for bad things. But of course, when you think something is fine, that's when it usually isn't. Around 4:30, my husband arrived home from the neighbors and clutched his chest in agony. His pain was off the charts and his arm had started to ache. No, it wasn't acid reflux, it was a heart attack.

I nearly shoved him out the door, and his usual "it's starting to abate sort of" remark didn't hold any water with me. We were on the way to the hospital. He didn't argue - and men usually do, by the way. It's a genetic defect. We "rushed," as much as you can when something or another in the transmission isn't working right.

When all was said and done, Kootenai Medical Center moved like lightning to help him. I dumped him off at emergency and they had him hooked up to everything necessary by the time I got the truck parked and entered the hospital.

Dr. Chun remarked that he "didn't like his story." He must have heard that statement on a cop show somewhere. With excellence and speed, Dr. Kadel and the cardiac team took him in to save his life. Without fanfare or wasted time, my husband was granted a future, when an enemy threatened to take it away. Today he is home and recovering well. I get to keep the love of my life a while longer.

Life is a gift. Whether anyone realizes it or not, life isn't guaranteed on the Earth. And it's only guaranteed in eternity if we love the Lord through which all things are made. I am truly grateful for the gift of life for my husband. I am also grateful for the nurses and doctors at KMC who moved with excellence and kindness to do what needed to be done.

FAYE HIGBEE

Post Falls