Monday, April 15, 2013

so thankful. and it's not even november.

This morning my child, who has struggled with sensory issues, including exaggerated pain responses, for almost two years now not only asked me to suck out his stuffy nose with the bulb syringe, but actually lay there bravely and happily while I did it.  Then he wanted to see all the snot I sucked out.  This is very nearly a miracle, folks.

I am thankful for a good start to our day.

Then I packed up 4/5 of my children for a trip downtown to our children's hospital so Shu could get measured for new, bigger orthotics for his feet.  It could not have gone more smoothly--good music in the van, kids gazing curiously out the window at the river, a train, the tall downtown buildings, fabulous behavior and attitudes while we waited, conversation and no tears or anxiety from a certain aforementioned boy.  (September's visit to get his first pair included major tears and anxiety.)

I am thankful for God's grace and strength equipping me for every task, for growing me up gradually into this calling of motherhood with all its challenges and joys.  That I could wrangle four young kids through a hospital, pushing a giant double stroller, navigating a way-too-small (for us) office, nursing the baby in a bathroom along the way, and get everyone home safe, sound, and smiling?  Pretty much a miracle.  I feel like a rock star today.

While waiting to get feet measured, two different children came into the office, presumably to get some type of braces, but it was obvious that these little ones had significant medical issues, the need for orthotics being the absolute least of their concerns.

I am overwhelmed, humbled, and deeply thankful that I sat there today with four physically healthy children, needing only ankle braces.  Not oxygen.  Not a feeding tube or life-long care.  Not chemotherapy.  Just orthotics.

Nothing like a visit to the children's hospital to give you a giant dose of perspective.