Core Beliefs - Chapter 50 - Christmas Thanks

Core Beliefs – Chapter 50 - Christmas Thanks

Christmas came, and many gathered at Armonia House. The tables were decked to the hilt with food and trimmings. The kids would get their food first and head to the family room, and the adults would stay in the dining room. Everyone knew about the narrow escape Ling and the baby had experienced, though they did not know the details regarding her recovery.

With everyone standing and Chris about to say grace. Matt interrupted, “Chris, would it be a problem if I said something?”

Though a bit surprised, Chris offered Matt the floor.

“My dearest friends,” Matt looked about the room. “I am humbled before you. I have thought in the past that hard work, intellect, and determination would afford a man satisfaction. I am ashamed to say that I was wrong. There is a difference between what a man does with his life and what a man is, and more importantly, what a man or woman should be.”

He took a deep breath. “I have recently experienced an event that has made me realize that, as strong, smart, and powerful as I might think I may have become, in reality, I am only part of what I should be. In my moment of desperation, I found that not only am I a fool to think that I could or should master my world, but I also found a source of strength and hope where I did not expect it to be.”

Matt took a minute to look around the room. “I confess that the existence of God, by whatever name you may wish to identify him, was the farthest thing from my thoughts, but at that time, when I was out of answers, broken in spirit, and ready to cast myself upon rocks for the hurt I caused those I love the most. God was there.”

In emotional response to Matt’s confession, Charlotte put a hand to her face; Joe hugged Cynthia, pulling her close; and Suchet and his wife clasped hands. Eldridge had an uncontrolled sniffle as Marcy took a tissue and touched the corner of her eye to dab a tear that had formed.

“I know beyond any doubt that God heard my cry for help, and beyond any doubt, I know he answered my prayer,” Matt said in a hushed tone.

Looking at his brother, Matt took a deep breath. “I challenge us all today to not close our hearts and thoughts to the possibilities of, as my dear brother put it, realms about which you don’t have a clue.

“Let us always be looking to the things beyond our understanding, both the physical and equally the spiritual.”

In his heart, passion rose as Matt continued, “We all know love, yet cannot explain it. I say today that I recognize the existence of God, though I cannot explain what he is or what his purpose is in my life. Therefore, as we take this food and enjoy this wonderful company, let us remember that there are things far more important to body, mind, and soul. Let’s take time to think about how we have been placed in a time and a situation that allows us to make a difference.” Matt eyed those around him.

“May we be wise, may we be responsible, and when all is said and done, may we answer to a higher authority and calling.

“So now, I ask that this food, time, and fellowship be blessed with new hope, strength, and joy.”

Not a dry eye remained. Even the kids got it. No one took a plate before first going to Matt and hugging or at least shaking his hand.

Ling trembled, thrilled that her Matthew had found another joy, and this one she could share with him as well.

***

Matt had not bought a single present this year. After dinner, he went about handing out handwritten cards signed by Ling and him.

The cards read, “I want to let you know that in the names of each and all of you, Ling and I have donated five million dollars to a combination of charities. We all have so much, and beyond our walls is a world of hurt and pain. I hope you understand that this reflects our love for you and is an appreciation of what you mean in our lives.”

Not one complaint and not one person felt slighted. They understood the act and appreciated how meaningful the gift was.

Christmas ended with Matt sitting in front of Ling, who was in a chair in the family room. He read Christmas stories to the children once again. He also sent the images and thoughts to his son. Ling was aware and smiled, knowing that from birth, their child would know his father.

***

Dr. Mildred Kelsey had been practicing as an OB/GYN for twelve years and had seen a variety of unusual cases.

The Ling Lehman case was odd. That was the best way she could describe it. The pregnancy started normally, but about month two, Mrs. Lehman began showing unusual signs of fatigue and physical stress. The baby also suffered the same issues. Dr. Kelsey ran batteries of tests, finding nothing. By month four, she was extremely worried and ordered Mrs. Lehman to bed. She was ready to call in specialists.

In month five, the patient came bouncing into her office with more energy than ever before, and all indications were that every issue had been resolved.

When Dr. Kelsey questioned what had generated the turnaround, the only answer she could get was some vague comment about a wonderful husband. Dr. Kelsey still didn’t understand, but she could see that from that point forward, the pregnancy was healthy and very much on track.

***

May 22, 2010. Timothy Alan Lehman came into the world. The delivery was unusual in that the mother needed almost no medication. It was as if Ling was in total control of her body. She and the baby were in sync throughout, and after three-and-a-half hours of labor, the delivery was without incident.

Charlotte was with Ling in the delivery room. Matt waited outside with Chris, Suchet, and his wife, Pavitra, Joe, Cynthia, and several others.

Matt’s senses instantly made him aware when Tim was born.

“We have a son,” Ling placed the thoughts directly in his mind. Chris and Joe were the first to recognize the expression on Matt’s face.

“You’re a father?” Chris said.

“Yes! That I am.”

The nurse came out minutes later and officially made the announcement. It was a boy, seven pounds eleven ounces, and eighteen inches long. The nurse led Matt to a room where he could wash and get into a gown. They rolled Ling directly to her room. There was no reason for her to stop in recovery. When Matt stepped in, she was in bed, her head slightly elevated, holding their child.

The baby was quiet, snuggled into his mother’s arms, lying on her bosom.

“I want my husband to hold his son,” Ling told the nurse.

The minute the nurse took the child from his mother’s arms, he started crying and struggling. The second Matt touched him, the child stilled and calmed. The reaction startled the nurse, but she wasn’t going to complain.

Matt held him gently in his arms, closed his eyes, and spoke from his heart into Timothy’s mind. “I love you. You are a special joy, and now you are here, my son.”

After a few minutes, Matt handed little Timmy back to his mother and kissed her. He had no words to express the feelings in his heart, but as he looked at Ling, he could tell she understood.

***

For the rest of 2010, things moved forward smoothly, and the “Fantastic Four” continued making discoveries at a phenomenal pace. The five corporations were growing, and Ling was again practicing medicine.

Matt’s involvement in the DNA research was mostly to direct and guide. He spent time with Melissa and Clarence, resulting in several breakthroughs.

***

On other fronts, there were concerns that the hazardous waste disposal project had drawn unwanted attention. On one occasion, Chris had seen two men watching the activity. The men were in the woods, near the disposal site, clearly visible in Chris’s night vision goggles. He could tell they did not have similar gear and was sure they could not identify the actions at the site. He also believed they would be back. The team completed that project and put any other disposal jobs on hold.

***

One of the improvements that Suchet had made to the beam generator was a method for converting materials from a variety of substances into a single material and shaping the new material. Matt witnessed a demonstration as Suchet and Chris bored a three-foot-diameter hole through the silo wall, instantly lining the surface with a material that provided an almost glass-smooth finish to the interior. After some discussion, Matt shared an idea, setting a task before the Wichita crew. He asked whether a year was sufficient, and Suchet and Chris smiled at each other.

Chris said, “It will slow down some other stuff, but it can be done.

***

Doug and Ellie were doing great at school, Ellie in Pre-Med and Doug doubling up in engineering and physics. They both had 1.5 days free, plus the weekend, and could help accordingly. They literally lived at the Silo when not in class.

Chris encouraged them to get out and have a social life, but Doug said Ellie was all the social life he needed. Ellie replied that the company in the Silo was better than any other she could recall.

***

Christmas 2010 was another very special time. Armonia House once again hosted the event, and the highlight was Doug asking Ellie to marry him, unlike Matt, who asked Ling in front of everyone. Doug took Ellie into the garden and quietly proposed while on his knee. Joe and Cynthia knew it was going to happen, as did Eldridge and Marcy. It seems Doug had gone to Eldridge and asked for his blessing. Eldridge’s response was typical Eldridge: “About time, young man.”

When they came back into the house, Ellie went to her mom and dad, giddy, showing them the ring.

“I said yes!”

In seconds, everyone knew, and the whole house was in high celebration the rest of the night.

***

In 2011, things picked up with several significant events. For Doug and Ellie, it was going to be a busy summer. They would graduate from Wichita State in April, get married in June, and then begin graduate school in the fall.

Several upgrades to the neuroimager had been made, and Ling found herself back in Houston, training for Baylor and Wheatley. During one of the trips, one of the Wheatley staff asked about the brilliant young woman he had heard about who’d been instrumental in the development of the Neuroimager.

Ling smiled and informed him that the young woman would be graduating from Wichita State University the coming spring and would soon be deciding on a graduate school. If Wheatley wanted to land her, it would have to be a package deal that included her equally brilliant fiancé.

She would arrange an interview if the university were interested, making it clear that the university would benefit from the two young students more than the students would from the university. The statement floored the staffer.