Driving along a stretch of highway in Marbella Spain you can look to one side of the highway and see mountains. Endless appearing rock-like mountains with deep crevices fill the skyline and mesmerize you with their beauty. When you look to the other side of the highway you can see the Mediterranean Sea. The water – rich bluish-green in color and miles of shoreline that hold the splashing of the rolling waves. A beauty truly indescribable with words.

I visited Marbella with my baby girl to seek alternative cancer treatments that are not available in the United States. We were in desperate need of some hope. My sweet momma also joined us to offer help and support for the weeks we would spend there.

A hard trip. Very hard.

Not many of the locals speak English making communication often strenuous. Then, driving in unfamiliar areas with signs all written in Spanish was, well let’s just say, not always easy to follow! Added to our driving difficulties, these crazy round-abouts had us driving literally in circles a lot of the time! These cultural challenges, added to the ones we were already facing, made our trip that much more stressful.

Sometimes on our commute to the clinic we would listen to music from an app on our phone because there was not-a-single English speaking radio station! Other times we would drive in silence when my girl felt so sick from treatment and just needed it to be quiet.

One particular day the silence was too much for me. I decided to turn on the radio just to break the somber mood we all were feeling – in spite of knowing we would not be able to understand a word. As soon as I flipped the switch on the radio “What A Wonderful World” by Louie Armstrong was playing. I was astonished! We had yet to experience anything on the radio we could understand. Not to mention this particular song!

“I see trees of green,
red roses too.
I see them bloom,
for me and you”

These sweet lyrics did more than make their way through our tiny rental car speakers; they made their way into our aching hearts as well. Immediately my baby girl (with a look of wonder and amazement!) said in excitement “this is Grandpa’s song”. I nodded and whispered “yes, yes it is”. I could barely get the words out for the big lump in my throat had taken over my ability to speak.

“I see skies of blue,
And clouds of white.
The bright blessed day,
The dark sacred night

The colors of the rainbow,
So pretty in the sky.
Are also on the faces,
Of people going by,“

I knew God had sent this message. To bring comfort and offer us hope in the struggles we were enduring. Tears welled up in my eyes as I drove through this stretch of highway admiring His beautiful creation of mountains and sea. “Yes Lord, It IS a wonderful world”. I could feel the ache in my heart soften as I reflected on His promises. I could feel Him wrap me up and give me strength to face this hard trip and journey we were on.

“I see friends shaking hands.
Saying, “How do you do?”
They’re really saying,
“I love you”.

After we arrived at the clinic I e-mailed my father-in-law and shared this beautiful moment and included a video of “What A Wonderful World”. I saved our e-mail conversation and here is a portion:

Hi Dad,

Hope you and mom are doing ok!

On our drive in to the clinic this morning we heard this song. Of course I thought of you ❤

I was reminded when listening to this song that there is a lot of beauty and a lot of wonderful things to be grateful for. In spite of my aching heart, I need to keep focused on all the beauty and wonderful things. Just wanted to say I Love You!

Dear Pamela,

Your note and the song sent tears streaming down my face this morning. There are no words I can think of to express my feelings that you gave me today. As you know that is my favorite song as it packed with so much emotion.

One year ago today, my sweet mother-in-law passed away. Just nearly three months after my girl. When I think back to this moment while driving along the highway in Marbella Spain, I am once again reminded that there is beauty in life this side of Heaven. Beauty even in the midst of our suffering. God has blessed us with people to love, and our time on earth does hold countless joys.

Looking past our pain is hard. It requires tremendous faith and effort. God’s gifts are waiting for us to experience, and to say “What A Wonderful World”.

I love you Dad, this one’s for you!

I see trees of green,
red roses too.
I see them bloom,
for me and you.
And I think to myself,
what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue,
And clouds of white.
The bright blessed day,
The dark sacred night.
And I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow,
So pretty in the sky.
Are also on the faces,
Of people going by,
I see friends shaking hands.
Saying, “How do you do?”
They’re really saying,
“I love you”.

I hear babies crying,
I watch them grow,
They’ll learn much more,
Than I’ll ever know.
And I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.