It was the spring of 1970 and I was between classes, my second year of college.  While on the way to my next class, my stomach hurt so bad I could barely walk.  By then my spirits were so low I honestly thought about how good it might be to just die. 

After years of being in and out of the hospital, there had been no prognosis on what it was that was killing me.  During times of remission my weight might get up to 100 (Im about 57"), during flare-ups Id be down around 80 pounds.  Most nights I had to lie on a heating pad, just to get enough relief so I could fall asleep.  My high school years were not filled with fond memories of partying with friends, playing sports, or dating girls.  Most of the time I tried to hide from people who would make fun of me for being the skinny little kid that I was.  So one day in the spring of 1970 I asked God to just take me away or heal me, if he really existed that is. 

Nothing happened, at least not at that moment.  But after a couple of weeks had gone by, something very tragic yet wonderful happened. While on a trip home from Florida with my family I had an obstruction that caused my intestine to burst open - in the area of my Ileum.  At that moment the pain level went off the charts along with my temperature.

I was admitted to the hospital immediately for exploratory surgery.  Before being wheeled in to surgery, I remember looking at my mom and saying, mom am I going to be alright? She said yes, but I know from seeing her face, she really had no idea. 

That day God answered my prayer, by sending an angel to assist the surgeon.  While under the anesthetic I remember seeing a bright white light.  As I gazed at it, I knew then, that everything would be alright.

And you know - after 39 years the terrible suffering I had from crohns left me.  I have a wonderful wife and two grown children that I love dearly.  Never underestimate Gods Love and Grace.

Jim