What are you Grateful for?
What are you Grateful for?
As I sit here typing on my iPad in the car on our way to the transplant clinic I am overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude. Looking over at our little cherub in his car seat, wearing his little boy shirt, sleeping soundly, I couldn’t be more happy.
This little man has been through so much since he was born and there were points where I thought I may not be allowed to keep him.
He was born healthy and well, weighing in at an impressive 9lbs, everything seemed to go perfectly. He came only eleven days before Christmas and our family overjoyed, had a wonderful time over the holidays, celebrating and enjoying the latest addition to our family.
But as Christmas faded I began to sense that something was wrong, our little bundle of joy had turned yellow and he wasn’t getting any better, on his third week with us, he started bruising. When touched, a bruise would a appear, change his diaper, hold an ankle, another bruise. The bottom fell out of my world, I knew something was terribly wrong and images of little baby coffins started dancing through my mind.
As we 
drove to the doctors a sense of dread filled me as it choked the air out of my body, I watched the doctor’s face carefully and I did not like what I saw there. The doctor left us alone in the room and I looked at my husband at a complete loss, this was not good.
Five hours later, I mean five minutes, the doctor came back and chased us from her office with a clip board, telling us to drive to the hospital as fast as we could, they were waiting for us there.
When we got there, my tiny little bundle was wrestled from my arms, as he was pinned and pricked trying to retrieve some blood from his tiny veins. This was only the beginning of a long road ahead. My little boy has given blood hundreds of times and now he doesn’t even flinch. Thirteen operations later and two liver transplants, he lays here beside me, snoozing away like a little kitten.
It was an up hill battle and every step of the way he was not expected to make it. It has been the toughest year of my life and believe me, my life had been pretty rough before. But here we are fifteen months after his second transplant and he thrives, he is a joy to behold, I am so grateful and life will never be the same again.
This story barely scratches the surface of the journey we have taken, but only captures the glimmer of joy we are left with.
I remember seeing a bumper sticker once on the way to the hospital…
It resonated so deeply…
“Don’t take your organs to heaven. Heaven knows we need them here.”
It is such a bitter sweet emotion to live with, knowing that someone’s child had to die so that yours may live.
But then 30 years ago my little boy would be long gone by now.
So we weep with tears of joy and hold him tight.
I would love to hear what you are grateful for today? Doesn’t matter if it was the cup of coffee that warmed you this morning or a smile from a stranger in the store. Gratitude is gratitude. Please share what your grateful for in the comments box below.
What are you Grateful for?
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I have so much to be grateful for, that the thing I was thinking of earlier to day seems so trivial, but it’s true. I got a dog a year a half ago, and I’m so grateful I did. I told him that while we were driving to the store earlier today – so I figure I have to say that is what I’m most grateful for today. Tomorrow it will be that I have another 5-10 years before I have to have another colonoscopy – but that’s tomorrow. Got to run….
James thanks for sharing! Your dog is a wonderful thing to be grateful for, we have a little Jack Russell, she is crazy but loads of fun and adds so much to our family! And I’m so glad that you won’t have to have another colonoscopy for 5-10 years, that’s definitely something to be grateful for!
I’m grateful for my husband and two beautiful children. The joy and love I feel – even when they drive me nuts – is a blessing.
Children are definitely a blessing, I have a bunch and if it wasn’t for them I might even be sane, my husband helps out in that department so that I don’t spend my days talking to the fridge 😉
I’m grateful for your beautiful words today. Wishing your little one all the best.
Thank you Teri, I appreciate your kind comments.
Thank you for sharing that SK. I can’t imagine going through the ups and downs – the roller coaster – you and your husband went through. Our kids are always our kryptonite. So from your story to my thoughts, I’m grateful for the health of my two children. I’ve been through hell this past year with my son, but am thankful to have him back home safe.
That’s wonderful S.C. I’m so glad your son is back home with you, and you’re right, we can get upset about many things in life, but when our children are in danger, we’d gladly take on all those small annoyances to save our child.
I’m grateful for this post! I was feeling frazzled and frustrated today, and this reminded me to take the time to appreciate my four beautiful daughters every single day. Even when they argue about dishes and laundry and seats in the car!
And I’m grateful for peanut butter. I have to be honest – it makes me very happy. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this amazing story!
Thank you for your lovely comments Kat, I’m so glad that my post was able to help cut through some of the frazzle in your day! Can’t say I’m a huge fan of peanut butter, but then I am Scottish 😉 But my nine year old son adores his peanut butter!
I cannot imagine how difficult this was for you and your family. I’m so happy to hear things have turned out so well, despite how difficult the journey has been so far. I’m sure you have a beautiful family. Thank for sharing this post, it’s always good to remind people to be thankful, somehow so easy to take the little things for granted.
I’m thankful for resilience, it has kept me going and gotten me through the darkest of woods. I’m looking forward to a journey where I can finally see the other side of things, or so it is my hope and mission. Take care, and best wishes to you and your family.
It’s great to hear that you are so resilient, there are many who are not. Oftentimes we are given a journey through the darkest of woods so that we can guide and lead the way for others. Thank you for sharing, I look forward to seeing your beautiful journey unfold.
S.K.