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During Desert Storm my aunt had surgery and, due to emphysema, was never able to get off her respirator. She went through surgeries, then almost two months of ICU care here (they kept here here as long as they could. After that, she was taken 105 miles away to a "respirator hospital. My aunt had no children so several other nieces and I shared the hospital time, full-time here and as much as we could once she went so far away.

Through the months of horror this dear woman went through, I had to be gone a great deal since the respirator hospital was a two-hour trip away. I had to explain to local people to whom I had commitments, but also to the students in my on line classes why I was sometimes absent for a few days to a couple of weeks.

My local friends and my church community, of course, supported and prayed for my aunt and for our entire family. My aunt was on at least six local church prayer lists. But the truly amazing response came from my on line students, and not just who shared my Christian faith. We actually had an International prayer chain going. Muslims prayed for my aunt, as did Hindus, Methodists, Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, Baptists and people of all faiths. The prayers and messages these people sent her through me helped cheer my aunt's last moments.

A year ago I was found to have Stage IV breast cancer. My students have changed, and we've added a couple of Island and Native American faiths, but once again prayers are flowing out from across the world. A number of students who have completed the class also still email with messages of caring and prayer. I now know how my aunt felt. The nationality of a person does not matter; neither does the church they attend. We all believe in God, and prayer heals. I feel the healing (and the love) every day.

What we forget is that politicians make war. 99% of the people politicians govern would rather not fight another war ever. People are humane and caring all over the world. If the same people who declared wars or instigated them had to fight them, there truly might be peace on earth. I know people all over the world are praying for that, too.

Learn more about this author, Margaret Shauers.
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