This was my Christmas:
7 ½ hours in the ER with a very sick baby. Lots of tears, tests, poking, proding, screaming, X-rays, puking, bleeding, etc. Humming and singing, “I am a Child of God” in English and in French to Annick hundreds of times. Nurses and doctors needing to do way more work on not showing their emotions/worries for the state of their patients! Disappointment at realizing we’d be in the hospital a few days and needed to cancel our trip scheduled for the states. Pneumonia. RSV. A month’s worth of weight lost. Sad, lonely Momma worried about her baby and missing her boys at home having a less-than-exciting Christmas dinner with half the family missing. And amidst all the drama…peace, calm, gratitude, and answered prayers.
For Christmas this year my dad wanted to give us all a gift of gratitude. He wanted us all to do the “Gratitude Challenge” mentioned in the 1st Presidency message of the December Ensign. They suggest writing down 100 things you’re grateful for, breaking them down like this:
10 physical abilities you are grateful for
10 material possessions you are grateful for
10 living people you are grateful for
10 deceased people you are grateful for
10 things about nature you are grateful for
10 things about today you are grateful for
10 places on earth you are grateful for
10 modern inventions you are grateful for
10 foods you are grateful for
10 things about the gospel you are grateful for
As I held my sweet little sick girl and cried, this challenge came to my mind. I forgot about my breaking back & trip cancellation and had faith that things would improve quickly. So as I swayed from side to side with a worn-out baby in my arms I started my mental list of 10’s. The time went more quickly. I felt recognized and loved by the Lord. I knew He was aware of a sad mommy and baby feeling alone and worried in the hospital. And after two more days in the hospital I can easily say that despite the trauma of the whole experience, what I felt most was peace. I felt grateful to have some quiet alone time with Annick and felt needed and loved by her. That’s a feeling I’d been waiting for for a long time, and since then I’ve felt much more connected to her—something I’d been praying for. It’s neat how the Lord answers our prayers in the most unexpected ways.
So for my dad, who thinks I never listen…I do. Thanks for the gift of gratitude.
Poor kid! Hope everything is ok.
ReplyDeleteSarah, this is absolutely so touching and beautiful. I cried. Thank you so much for your STRENGTH! YOUR TESTIMONY! and for sharing both. I love you. You know I adore you my dear friend! I wish I could have been a better help to you during this stressful time. :( You amazed me though, because everytime we talked about it you were so strong, positive, and in control. I know you have been through a lot and I admire your courage! It is a real saint who reccongnized the Lord is with them in their dark and lonely hours. You are an amazing woman, mother and friend. You family is blessed to have YOU! Thanks again for sharing... it was so sad to see little Annick in these picture, but so uplifting to hear your words. Love you!
ReplyDeleteThose photos are heartbreaking bc she is way too precious to be in that hospital. That is a no fun way to spend your holiday. I admire you for finding the blessing hidden in all of that yuck. I am glad things are better. You have such a sweet family.
ReplyDeletebeautiful sarah - brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for writing this down and sharing this experience. Those photos break my heart, but that story makes me feel so hopeful and so peaceful.
ReplyDeleteI love it love it love it.
I'm so sorry you had to go through this traumatic experience especially during the holidays. I'm glad you have been able to see the positive in it and I'm thankful Annick is doing better now. She is such a cutie
ReplyDeleteWhat a challenging experience. Just about as awful as a mother can imagine. Thanks for inspiring me with your good attitude. You are a good, strong woman!
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