And you know how good I am at that....NOT!
The Advent season starts four Sundays before Christmas, so it's usually the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. It's the season of waiting and preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus. It's a time of reflection, and I think most people do some of that during this time of year, Christian or not. The cold, dark, long days that appear to be dragging on and on as we move toward the shortest day of the year at Winter Solstice. We tend to hibernate, resting perhaps, or creating busy-ness to distract us from the cold and dark.
This year is different, somehow. I can't quite put my finger on it. I'm *not* frantically running around trying to finish up craft projects or driving myself crazy trying to shop for the *perfect* gifts. I've simplified what I'm doing, for the most part, and I know what I want to find for most people on my list.
But I don't know....the spirit of the season somehow escapes me. I started to feel it a bit today during church. The sermon today came from Luke, chapter 3, the story of John the Baptist. John's sermon starts with "You nest of vipers!" That's quite an opening, isn't it?! It goes on to tell us how to prepare the road for the coming of Christ. And here's the point......There are basically 3 steps we need to take, and they're true today too. The first is to share with those in need. The second is to be honest. The third is to be content with what you have. I think those three steps are almost a road map to happiness today.
I'm rambling.....but I feel the need to write. Thoughts and ideas swim around in my head, and they're brilliant! Until I sit down to write, and they flit away on the fog. *sigh*
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Day My Heart Shattered Into a Million Pieces
November 30, 2008. The day I took Tristan to Urgent Care, expecting IV fluids for his nasty stomach virus, and they told me it was diabetes and an ambulance had been called to transfer him to the hospital.
A year ago today, I was rising after a fitful night of sleep, getting the girls ready for school, and then fighting rush hour traffic to get to the hospital on the other side of town.
A year ago, I thought our lives would never be normal again.
A year ago, I was scared senseless that I would lose my first born, my baby boy.
A year ago, I cried and cried and cried. I was amazed I had any tears left.
A year and a week ago, I fainted at the sight of needles.
A year ago, I learned to give my son shots.
And I cried through the whole process.
One year later, the boy is healthy and happy. Well, as happy as any 8th grade boy will admit to being. He's playing in the Jazz Band at school (sax), plus symphonic band (clarinet). He's a Life Scout (one away from Eagle). He went to church camp and scout camp over the summer, then diabetes camp.
He belches at the dinner table. He refuses to clean his room. He picks on his sisters, but heaven help the outsider who does the same!
In short, we've found a new normal.
There have been tremendous blessings over the last year. People far and wide praying for us and loving us and letting me know, over and over, that I was NOT alone. Our church family has been wonderful, willing to learn what they need to know to keep our children safe. Our neighbors have done the same. The support has been overwhelming. I'm in awe of the people who care for us.
And yet, there are still a few pieces of my heart that I haven't been able to put back together.
A year ago today, I was rising after a fitful night of sleep, getting the girls ready for school, and then fighting rush hour traffic to get to the hospital on the other side of town.
A year ago, I thought our lives would never be normal again.
A year ago, I was scared senseless that I would lose my first born, my baby boy.
A year ago, I cried and cried and cried. I was amazed I had any tears left.
A year and a week ago, I fainted at the sight of needles.
A year ago, I learned to give my son shots.
And I cried through the whole process.
One year later, the boy is healthy and happy. Well, as happy as any 8th grade boy will admit to being. He's playing in the Jazz Band at school (sax), plus symphonic band (clarinet). He's a Life Scout (one away from Eagle). He went to church camp and scout camp over the summer, then diabetes camp.
He belches at the dinner table. He refuses to clean his room. He picks on his sisters, but heaven help the outsider who does the same!
In short, we've found a new normal.
There have been tremendous blessings over the last year. People far and wide praying for us and loving us and letting me know, over and over, that I was NOT alone. Our church family has been wonderful, willing to learn what they need to know to keep our children safe. Our neighbors have done the same. The support has been overwhelming. I'm in awe of the people who care for us.
And yet, there are still a few pieces of my heart that I haven't been able to put back together.
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