So its the eve of my second favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. Reflection time for me is always right around this time of year. I've had one of those years that as a mother, realized some of my worst nightmares. My daughter Kaitie has had two close calls as of this writing. The first was the accident on June 4th that totalled her car and realized an ADHD diagnosis. I had a hard time coming to terms with just how close she came to being seriously injured or worse. After spending some quality time with God, I resolved to be a better mother to her, to be more patient (something I have never been able to do), to love her unconditionally and accept her for who she is, not what I want her to be. That accident was every mother's or parent's worse nightmare. Continuing, just when I thought life was good, God sent me another wake up call. Kaitie was rushed to the hospital last week. She had developed a serious kidney infection (started most likely as a UTI) which went septic. We spent two days on pins and needles as the health care team tried to figure out an antibiotic scheme that worked. I tried so hard to be strong for her but I did finally break down in front of her, my family, the nurses, and her boyfriend. I could not believe we were facing this. How could this happen and get to this point? I have always been able to catch her illnesses before we had to resort to emergency care. You know, step throats, ear infections, and even a UTI when she was very young. How could I have missed this... I really guilted myself out and for the last week have been pretty subdued. How can one protect this young adult? Is it even possible. Well she is home now, back to school and work, and even though she is still on the antibiotic regiment, she is herself again. I know God would not give me more than I can handle but really...two close calls in such a short time span? I am grateful that I finally had enough sense to get her into the hospital, too much longer and it would not have been good.
So what else am I thankful for. Well there just happens to be this wonderful man in my life. And then there are my twins, my gloriously talented twins. There is my home and my wonderful greyhounds. My health, my friends, being gainfully employed (both of us), my art, and of course the Nutcracker (which is just around the corner). Lest I forget my God who keeps me grounded in reality.
I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving. I for one know just how blessed I am to have my family around me on this holiday....
K
K
