Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Gratitudes

It has been a rough day for me emotionally. I guess life's recent events snuck up on me. Tomorrow's surgery for Grace is especially in my thoughts.

Right before bed, Grace said, "I think I'm a little scared now Mommy. What if I wake up during the surgery? I don't want surgery."

A few heart string tugging moments later, and she was off to bed anyway. I honestly feel for her. She's been through a lot lately with my brother Tim going off to Army training, her great friend, Zoe, moving to Switzerland, and now, a surgery for her, too. All of this in one week.

So, I've decided to focus on being grateful at the moment:

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.
~ Charles Dickens


Here are my gratitudes:

1) My family, who show me that life is about the moments in between the routines. I love you Charlie. :)
2) My IRL friends new and old, who comfort me and surprise me by checking in before the surgery. Amy, I got your message, and will call you back tomorrow. Tony, thank you for talking me down at lunch today. I benefit from your clarity.
3) My online friends who send me postive thoughts and prayers for Gracie. Most of you, I've never met but I've gotten to know who you are through your eloquent words.
4) For my 89 year old Grandma Eve, who called me tonight to make sure I knew she would be praying for Gracie tomorrow. I'm so blessed she is still a part of my life.
5) For Lora at Ordinary Miracles, who graciously bestowed a blog award to me. Thanks so much Lora. It was such a pleasure to meet you in Saint Louis last month, and an honor to get to know your beautiful faith-filled family. Your blog is a source of encouragment to me too as we've not been sent down the liver transplant journey...yet. It is comforting to see your family adjusting to Nathan's recent gift of life.

I'm not sure of the source of this blog award. If anyone knows the source, please let me know. I'd like to give them credit, but here it is:



All blog awards are meant to be passed on, and I will pass it on to:

Childlife of In the Life of a Child: Michelle often blogs about her wonderful daughter, Jacqui, who was born with a rare birth defect called a lymphatic malformation. However, Jacqui is not defined by the medical events/issues which took place in her life. She has the heart and soul of an angel, and Michelle and her family impress me with their ability to take notice of life's blessings. Michelle, thank you so much for all of your words of encouragement and support over the past year. We've never met IRL, but your gift of expression allows me to take a peek into your beautiful life. If you have a chance, stop by her blog. It is well worth your time.

Now, I'm off to bed. I don't think I'll sleep well, but I'll try. Good night my friends. Thanks for your positive thoughts and prayers.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aw, thanks Jen! (You made me cry with your special award the night before Grace's surgery!) We'll be praying throughout the day for you and Grace tomorrow -- Jacqui made sure we remembered to pray for Grace at dinner and again before her bedtime tonight.

I'll especially be praying for you tonight and tomorrow, because believe me, I know how it feels to send your little one off to surgery -- it's never easy.

I'll be watching anxiously for the good news that she's made it through with flying colors and back home snuggled up and comfy in her soft new PJ's.

Hugs to you both!

~Michelle

~Denise~ said...

Had to check in today and say I'm thinking of Grace today.

Anonymous said...

Hailey and I are thinking of Miss Gracie today and wishing her a speedy recovery. We love you!

Christina said...

I am keeping you all in my prayers. I can't imagine how easy it is to think negative in this time of stress, I am praying for a peace to come over you and Grace and I am praying for a speedy recovery.