written by Ann Gattie

My first "real" job after college was with Southwest Airlines. I was 21 years old and a flight attendant (AKA stewardess, princess on a plane, sky goddess).

I spent 6 weeks in training to learn all about in-flight operations, safety precautions, CPR training and most importantly...makeup application, hairstyle coaching and wardrobe consultation.

We spent TWO days with beauty consultants discussing the skin tone color pallets, how to apply fake eyelashes and which undergarments are the most figure flattering. My hair was cut and colored, my lips were the perfect shade of red and my cheeks were sore from all of the smiling.

Upon graduation, we all received our personalized golden wings. I held my head high and kept thinking about all the great plans I had in mind. I received my first assignment "Report to your supervisor at Chicago Midway".

On September 11, 2001, I packed my bags, kissed my friends and family goodbye and set out on the new adventure. En route from Dallas to Chicago, we were diverted to Baltimore, Maryland. The pilots on our flight told us to "sit down, shut up and call them if anything looked out of place". As we descended into Baltimore and saw smoke in the sky, we knew something was wrong.  After the passengers deplaned, we walked into the terminal and saw the news...this was my 9/11. The smoke was from American Airlines flight #77 at the Pentagon, 40 miles away from Baltimore.

I spent the next 4 days in a hotel near the BWI airport. I laid in bed crying. I prayed. I cried and prayed some more. I had never seen devastation or an entire nation grieve like this. When I finally left my hotel room, strangers stopped me to ask "will you still fly?", "are you scared?", "what are you planning on doing next?"

It never crossed my mind to stop what I had planned. I was steadfast and not willing to skip a beat with my new career. Terrorists weren't going to scare me!

My plans were to keep my hair long and blonde, my teeth bright and white, my waistline small and to have as much fun as humanly possible! For the next 10 months, I sashayed through the airplane aisle, I performed countless safety demonstrations, comforted frightened flyers and explored new cities. I enjoyed a winter storm in New York, warm sunny beaches in Florida, a hot air balloon ride in New Mexico, fresh seafood in California and the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

In July 2002, after feeling sick for a few weeks, I flew home to Texas to see my family. I thought I had a sinus infection and was feeling a little homesick. A big dose of TLC from my "Bebe" and "Papa" would cure anything that ails me. My sweet "Papa" picked me up from DFW and drove me 2 hours home. That night, I started coughing up blood. I was too weak to stand or walk and labored just to breathe.

My grandparents took me to the local clinic in my hometown. An x-ray of my lungs showed lots of blood and fluids...but still no answers or diagnosis. We went to the ER at Scott & White in Temple.  There were lots of tests, lots of questions and even more confusion. Could it be pneumonia? Tuberculosis?

I don't remember much from the following days or weeks in ICU.  While I was "asleep", there were more tests, biopsies, blood transfusions, chest tubes and an intebator. The diagnosis was a rare incurable autoimmune disease, Wegener's Granulomatosis. A disease that affects the sinuses, lungs and kidneys. The treatment plan had been established and the prognosis was less than positive. From that day forward, I would be on a continuous chemotherapy and steroid regimen. The disease needed drugs, the side effects from the drugs needed more drugs. Each day was 17+ medicines, hair loss and weight gain.

Doctors told me I wouldn't be able to have kids, the seasonal flu or cold could put me in the hospital and a relapse was very likely. My chances of celebrating my 30th birthday were slim to none.

After the shock wore off and the medicines took control, I lost my identity. I was no longer strong, fearless, immortal or beautiful.  I didn't want to be labeled as "bald, fat, sickly, fragile or barren".   My life had been derailed. All of the plans I crafted were erased. My heart was heavy and my ego shattered. I felt like I had to grieve the life I once had and carelessly lost.

I could wallow in self-pity and question why, or I could cling to God's promise. I could be angry or I can TRUST!

Jeremiah 29:11- For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I realized that God does have a plan for my life and that alone gives me great hope.  But when the plan seems difficult, I am reminded that His plan for me always revolves around my relationship with Him.   Whatever is going on in my life, His ultimate plan is that I would come to Him, seek Him and live in communion with Him.

A few months ago, I celebrated my 32nd birthday!

This month marks 9 years in remission with Wegener's Granulomatosis.

In a few weeks I celebrate my 6th wedding anniversary with my awesome husband and best friend, Tim.

Every single day I rejoice in my blessings... Aidan (4 years old) &  Connor (22 months old).

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Let's all seek out  the plan God has for us...in spite of our own desires & wishes. Whatever he has in store for us is better than we could ever dream of ourselves!

 

Ann let me write her bio for her and I can hardly contain myself.  Ann Gattie is my fabulous sister-n-law.  I was her mentor my Junior year of High School while she was a sixth grader.  It was at that time that I met her brother who I later married.  Ann has always been a bubbly beauty, but more so since I have seen her walk closer with her Savior.  She is one of those moms who makes everything including eating your vegetables an absolute treat.  She's a girl who becomes your friend the moment you meet; not to mention a wonderful wife, sister, aunt, gift-giver and party planner.  She enjoys reading, playing with her kiddos, cooking and life.