Wed Sept 5 Back to Back Miracles

By Tuesday night, I had made it to Deming New Mexico and it was getting dark and I was tired. It was hotter than Hades and I figured the generator wouldn't work again, but I tried it just in case "Aw Sheet' had got it fixed when I wasn't looking. Just then I came across a "hitching Post" RV site on the main drag of Deming . iI pulled in to see if they might have a spot for the night. The "office/ proprietors home" was almost as disheveled as the Casita and the little old man was obviously lonely having lost his wife a year ago wanted to talk . Yes ,he had a spot with electric and water so we plugged in and headed for bed. I slept well with the luxury of Air conditioning . But on arising the next morning something was wrong. I was short of breath and couldn't do much without feeling light headed and weak. My Apple watch told me , Yes as I suspected I was in Atrial fibrillation. Just sitting and talking with my morning patient was no problem ,but afterward I thought best to get hydrated and then take a nap. I promised myself that if it didn't revert to sinus rhythm by the time I finished my afternoon patient I would go get checked out at the local hospital just up the street. Well, it didn't so I went to tell the office that I was leaving for a while but wanted to come back. The office was closed but just climbing the 3 steps was an effort so off I went to the ER. Surprisingly as I walked across the parking lot to the entrance I felt stronger. They were very efficient , not sure if a little old lady with shortness of breath or just not 'much business was what got me such vip treatment but Iv ,ekg, monitor, blood pressure and O2 sat were done in minutes and all was NORMAL! Blood work for clot and chest x ray also came back normal. SO I had converted as I came across the parking lot. ( Miracle #1 ) and I got the reassurance that all was well . So I happily returned to the hitching post and started to make a celebratory dinner. Sheba was scratching at the door so I let her out leaving the door open for her to return as usual when she had accomplished her mission . When she didn't return in a few minutes I went out to call her. No Sheba. I got the flash light and started to comb the rest of the RV park assuming she had found some interesting trash . Most of the RVs were permenent homes ( one guy had been there for 17 years) . Calling and shinning my light on the ground all over I was sure I would get shot, but No Sheba. It then occurred to me to see if the Air tag would locate her. It said she was at 607 Palisade st. about 5 miles away . I didn't really believe it as it would frequently tell me she was left behind when she was on my lap. But of course I had to check it out. When I got there the house was totally dark with two cars in the driveway. Should I ring the bell and wake them at 10;30 and ask if they had seen my dog. I decided to go back to the Casita and write a note with my number to put on the windshield so they would be sure to see it in the morning. As I passed the house next door I saw a man in the drive way. He was clearly inebriated and didn't speak English so couldn't help. As I put the note under the wiper the car alarm went off . So maybe now they would certainly be awakened and come running to see who was stealing their car. But no response. The deafing alarm finally shut off and all was dead silence again until I heard a little bark. Sounded like Sheba's voice so I called her. Then another single bark sounded like it was coming from across the street. I crossed the street to another all dark house. As I shown my light in the yard there was a little dog on the porch in a cage, but on the other side of a little fence was the most incredible miracle #2- SHEBA wagging her tail. I plucked her up in to my arms and ran as fast as I could to the car and headed back to home base. After a very emotional reunion and promising never to let her out with out a tether again we said our most exuberant prayers and settled in for the night.

Thursday and Friday were spent driving and seeing patients only. I felt I was being told to go home now and my curiosity quotient was at zero. Even the temptation to stop in Austin was overshadowed by a longing to sleep in my own bed. By Friday night at 10:00pm Sheba sensed we were Almost Home on Beckerman Lane and started wildly pawing at the window. Yes, after about 3000 miles , 2 1/2 months, a treasure trove of memories, and the grace of God we were finally, safely home . God is good indeed!