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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

GRATEFUL


Last Tuesday I got the call from the school that no parent ever wants to hear... Come quickly.  Your daughter is hurt.  Unconscious.   EMS has been called.  That was the longest two minutes to the school ever.  Caleb and I prayed all the way there.  We heard the ambulance coming as we ran in the front door.


The fourth grade had been on the stage preparing their upcoming music program.  Emily was standing on the next to the top riser.  Apparently it was really hot up there with the stage lights on, and she fainted.  No one was on the riser behind her, so she fell over the back and hit her head on the stage floor.  The teacher who ran to help her had to call her name several times before she roused.  When I arrived, she was awake but still lying still until the paramedics arrived.  They evaluated her and checked all of her vitals.  They gave us the all clear to take her home if we wished, but advised us to observe her closely through the evening.  Many thanks to the principal and wonderful staff at our school.  They gave Emily loving and cosiderate care until I could be there.   

My attention and perspective made an about face that afternoon.  Before the call, I was busy.  I had important things to do.  Preparations for a party to attend to.  Dinner to make.  Pillows to sew.  A chair to strip down.  Gifts to wrap.  Grocery lists to prepare.  Photos to edit.  A post to write. 

That huge, important (or so I thought) to-do list melted away when we arrived home and walked through the door with Emily-praise the Lord!  We spent the next few hours just sitting. And snuggling on the couch.  And reading together.  She was soon asking to go out and play basketball (a request that was denied for the evening).


After returning home from school the next afternoon, she said all of her sweet friends were concerned about her and wanting to know if she was o.k.  A few even brought her a little something to show they cared.   That warmed this Mom's heart to hear how all of them were so concerned for her well-being.

So today, during this season of Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for good health.  For dedicated teachers and school administrators.  For caring friends.  For a supportive and loving husband.  For an almost 12 year old boy who still laughs his head off at kids' movies.  For having plenty.  For a Saviour.  I'm humbled at how good He is to me and how much I don't deserve one bit of the blessings He pours out in my life.

And, I'm mindful of those who are not so blessed in all the ways I am.  Heavy on my heart this season is our friend Xander, who you all have met in a previous post.  Thank you ever so much for those of you joining me in prayer for him and his family.  Just to update you, it has been almost 2 weeks since his stem cell transplant.  He began the first of 15 radiation treatments yesterday.  In the mean time he is resting and waiting for his body to accept his Mom's stem cells.  This precious family still has a long road ahead-will you continue to join me in praying for peace, comfort, healing, and God's will to be done for Xander? And, if you feel led to help, there is a fundraiser set up for the family that you can take part in.  Thank you.  It's amazing what can be accomplished when we all pitch in together!


 

Would you like to comment?

  1. Jennifer, I can't even imagine how scared you were on that drive! Thank goodness she is ok. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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  2. Oh, so glad she was okay! I know that was terrifying to say the least. I popped on over to your previous post mentioned about Xander too. I will keep that little one in my prayers as well. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  3. I shouldn't have read this post between traffic lights. (Tears. Lots of them!) I'm so thankful with you that Emily is okay. I've had my share of 911 calls and emergencies with my children. The world stops in those moments. Give her a hug from Miami for us. :)

    I'll be praying for Xander. (I need to check that post. Missed it at some point.) I always find that whatever I'm going through that I think is "hard", it's nothing compared to what others are going through. All about perspective.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  4. Thank God she was ok. God sure has his little way of giving us those wake up calls to remind of us of what is really important in life. That happened to my son just days after starting a new school but he ran into a pole while trying to catch a ball :| knocked him out. It took me awhile to get to him and another hour to the hospital since we live so far up in the mountains. He has a nice scar as a reminder and I get to tease him now about the pole. Have a beautiful day!

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  5. Oh Jennifer!! So glad Emily is okay. God is good. (I love that first pic of her with the giant lollipop - such a sweet smile) Give her a hug from the Greenwoods ;) We will continue to pray for Xander and his family. Hope you guys have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

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  6. How scary, so thankful to hear she's fine. I've never received an emergency call from school, but if I see they're calling unexpectedly it's the first thing I think of. Praying Xander's stem cell is a success.
    Wishing you and your family the happiest Thanksgiving, sweet friend!

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  7. Emily! Never, never, never lock your knees. ;). Sorry. The music teacher just came out in me. How scary. I'm glad it all turned out okay. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  8. So happy to hear everything is okay. It is crazy how "important" things melt away in a moment. I had a similar situation involving my little brother and my heart sank when they called me in the office at school to tell me. I can only imagine what my parents were feeling. God is SO good!

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  9. So glad to hear she's ok! You have something extra to be thankful for this week!!!

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  10. It's amazing that you posted this today. We actually had the same exact school experience this week except ours had to do with an allergic reaction to a medication that we didn't know about. It was petrifying and we were (and are) so thankful for the amazing staff at our sweet boy's school. I am so glad your daughter is okay :) I know that feeling and it is awful. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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  11. Oh my friend, I am so sorry that you got that call, and am so glad that your baby girl was okay!!! Motherhood is certainly not for the delicate, that is for sure. Thank God for Emily and her health. As I busy myself with Thanksgiving preparations, I am thinking about all those poor folks who lost their homes in Hurricane Sandy. I am ever mindful of how blessed I am for this too-small, never-finished, far-from-perfect home that we have and the loved ones in it. Thank you for the reminder to not let the busy-ness of our days keep us from counting our blessings and remembering what is most important.

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  12. Glad she is ok! What a scary phone call to get! Blessings to you all!

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  13. Oh my, how scary, but so very happy that she was ok. I can totally relate, how easily we forget about all the truly important things in our lives. Thank you for the reminder. Hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving holiday.

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  14. Wow! I'm so glad Emily is ok! Have a thankful week!

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  15. What a frightening experience! I'm so grateful she is ok. It really puts things in perspective doesn't it? God is so good!

    If you have a minute, stop by and check out my latest post ~ your prayers would be so appreciated.

    Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!
    xo
    Pat

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  16. I forgot to say that prayers and positive, healing energy continue for Xander. I pray for strength and comfort for his family.

    xo
    Pat

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  17. I'm so glad that sweet Emily is ok. You are right..it just takes a moment to put everything in perspective. I got one of those calls when Ryan was very young and you hold your breath until they are ok.

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