Monday, April 24, 2006

Reality Is......

I entered Emma's room this morning to find her in her usual spot. All curled up in the corner of her bed with her bottom way up in the air. My only thought was, "She's here with me!! She is here in her bed...in our house...with ME"! I gladly got all of her supplies ready to give her a breathing treatment. As I propped her sleepy body up against the pillow to put the mask on her face, her tiny little head started shaking from side to side (as if to say No Mommy...it's too early...let me sleep just a bit longer). After finished I happily went to draw up the 4 medications for the morning and mixed her milk (which now requires 3 different supplements to be added). During the time I was doing this, Miss Emma had crawled into a different corner of the bed, both hands on her face, face down, with her bottom up in the air. I woke her up again to take her beloved medicine. However, the medicine that she used to love has now been added to the regiment of nasty tasting medications! Sips of milk in between and the medicine is gone. Next I got Emma dressed and ready to go (including packing all of her "new" things to go to the babysitter...Epipens, thickening agents, caloric additives, etc.). I put Em into the car and we head out to the babysitters (the 30 min. drive). As we drive down the road to Miss Joline's house Emma starts to clap and cheer...happiness at it's best...what a great joy to know that she is in such great care!

As I went to get Emma out of the car...HUGE pile of you know what...all over the car seat, all over her clothes, all over her coat...UGH! I am overjoyed to take her in to the sitters house, clean her up, then clean up the car seat.

You may wonder why I am so happy to do all of these time consuming activities. The activities that I know that most parents do not endure on a daily basis. The reason I am so overjoyed to do these is because I GET to do these things. Last week, on this very day of the week, my reality was that I may not be taking my baby home. When that hits you in the face...you learn to enjoy even more than you ever have before... even the most cumbersome activities...as long as they include your child.

My reality today is that my child is here with me! She will brighten my day today, and I will be there to help her with ANYTHING that she needs! She is the light of my life. In some ways I wish every parent could experience what I did last week. It truly helps to appreciate every aspect of your child.

5 comments:

CJ said...

I've experienced this as well, only for a different reason. Going through infertility, there were times when we honestly thought we would never HAVE a child to clean up after and get up in the middle of the night with. Now, we're just thankful for the oppurtunity, no matter how hard it may be at times.

Anonymous said...

She is a ray of sunshine. I'm so glad things are going well now. Hugs!

Anonymous said...

From someone that's traveled that road, well said. May God continue to bless you with all sorts of Emma-isms and Emma-joy!

Patyrish said...

Very true in every way. I heard a lady in the store the other day telling her son to "shut up and stop blabbing that it was quiet time now". He wasnt being overly loud or anything ya know just 4 year old chatter. There was a big part of me that wanted to tell her to cherish every single word he says......Makily can't talk and may never...what I wouldnt give to hear her blabber like that.

Loved this entry. I couldnt have said it better.

Laurie said...

I feel the same way every morning when Anthony wakes up. You said it, Mama!