The Fabry Family

Connect with Me

Connect with Chris on Facebook Follow Chris on Twitter Watch Chris on YouTube

Featured Books

Featured Books
New Release!

Personal Stuff

My Photo
Chris Fabry
Married to Andrea since 1982. We have 9 children together and none apart. Our dog's name is Tebow.
View my complete profile

Where We Are Now

After finding and remediating mold twice in our Colorado home, we abandoned ship in October 2008. Because of the high levels of exposure, our entire family was affected. After months of seeing different specialists for all of the problems, we came to Arizona to begin comprehensive treatment to rid our bodies of the toxic buildup. In August 2009 we moved into a larger home, four bedrooms, south of Tucson, north of Mexico. I am doing my daily radio program/ writing from that location. Thanks for praying for us. We really feel it.

Search This Blog

Sunday, February 7, 2010
We had one of those programs on Friday. I’m still thinking about it and the reason for it.

It began with a trip to Chicago and some work on a book. It ended with a plane flight I won’t soon forget.

On the crowded plane I happened upon an open seat beside five beleaguered travelers. Three of them were small children, two adults. One was the mom, the other an aunt. I sat by the aunt.
They’d been flying or in airports all day. I noticed a bag at the woman’s feet that said, “Make a Wish.” I knew there was a lot to the story but I had no idea until we were halfway into the flight.

I got bits and pieces of their tale throughout. Aspen, six, had been born with only three chambers in her heart. There had been a surgery early on but the doctors said she wouldn’t make it past two weeks. She had a tracheotomy. When her mother got her brother to sleep by reading him The Little Mermaid, Aspen sang the songs and held a finger over the hole in her throat and squeaked out the words. It was a beautiful sound amidst the din of the engines and cabin noise.

I also learned the dad and mom were divorced. He was in prison. The whole story just seemed too much to bear. But there was light in Aspen’s face. Her aunt said she had such a sense of humor, such a purpose in each day. Though her body struggled with the organs that couldn’t keep up with the growth, her mind was sharp. When she put out her little hand and rubbed her brother’s back as he slept, I had to turn away.

But the story didn’t end there. After we got off the plane I followed the family and then pulled ahead of them. They made their way to baggage claim and then slipped into a limo provided by Make a Wish. When they were gone, I couldn’t stop thinking about them, so I told the story on Chris Fabry Live on Friday. We took three calls. One from a grandmother whose granddaughter had just heard the news a day earlier of a recurring tumor. One from a mother returning from the hospital with a daughter who had severe health problems. And one from a man who had been touched by the life of a little boy 24 years ago. His life had been irrevocably changed by that boy and his mother, Nina.

I don’t know why God favors us with such people, such stories. The pain of them is almost too much to bear, but I know they’re working for us and in us. This crucible of life is showing us what’s really important and what will really last.

Amidst all the things to accomplish this week, remember the Aspen’s around you. Some are struggling with such deep pain. Maybe that person is you. If so, may God show you how much He loves you in the midst of the struggle.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Chris, I was SO deeply moved by your program that day. It isn't often that I just have to stop what I am doing to sit and listen to a program - that's the kind of impact it had on me. My Kleenex was in tiny pieces by the end of your program. Thanks for sharing your heart. The callers that day were also so powerful in what they had to share. It was truly a very tender and special program. I am sure that many were touched to pray specifically for Aspen and the lady's granddaughter who called in. I am confident this program will have far reaching impact!
Monique

Nana Time said...

I missed Friday's program....I was fleeing Snowmagedon in Wasington, DC....but I will go listen.

I am praying for and keeping up with a 2 year old who is at St. Jude's being treated for cancer...you are right...people are put in our path to pray for and to learn lessons from. I know you know it was no accident you were seated with this family.

Lord, please help Aspen and her family; give others eyes to see them and help us learn from their courage. Amen. Donnamo