Waiting...

I'm trying hard this week to get ready for my upcoming surgery. I am having a cantaloupe-size tumor/cyst removed from my right ovary, then a subsequent total hysterectomy. I feel like everything has to be perfect before I can leave for the hospital on Dec. 5th. The house has to be clean--if that is ever possible! Meals have to be made and put in the freezer. The laundry needs to be caught up and put away. Groceries need to be bought and put away. I'm also trying hard to stay healthy, so nothing postpones things. That would be a nightmare.

I'm trying to stay positive and visualize a good outcome. No complications. Cysts/tumors that lift out without bothering/involving neighboring organs. No cancer. Body parts that come out easily. No infection. Not much pain. Easy-easy. Fast healing.

Time to read. Time to knit. Time.

Perfection

Yesterday, while in the waiting room at the doctor's office, I saw perfection. A grandmother was babysitting a newborn and a 2-year-old while their mother was at her 6-week check-up. The two year old was screaming at the top of his lungs, having a mega tantrum. "I want my mom! I want to go where my momma is!!!" Who knows how long it had been going on, 'cause he was already at full speed when I walked in. His screams could be heard throughout the office. They were loud and long, and drew nasty stares from other mothers, and an elderly couple showed their displeasure by staring, frowning, and whispering. That's when I saw perfection, and it will serve as an example to me for the rest of my days.

This wonderful grandmother, newborn in her left arm, and screaming, flailing toddler at her right knee, held him close and whispered loving things to him throughout. She smiled at him, stroked him, whispered funny stories, tried hard to redirect him with questions, until finally a story about his grandpa's bunnies and his baby cousin stopped his crying completely. She explained gently where his mother was and why she needed privacy. All the while she was kind and loving. She never lost her patience. Never raised her voice. Never made him feel out of place or bad. Never discounted the depths of his feelings. She showed love throughout the entire ordeal. She wasn't embarrassed or judgmental. She only cared about his pain and about how to make him feel better. She was awesome. Amazing, just amazing. If only we could all show so much love in times of stress and turmoil. That's one lucky family.

The Beauty of Friendship

The last week has taught me so much about the beauty of friendship. I am blessed to have wonderful friends, young and old, and they have all rallied in their own ways to help me through the past week's health scares. The youngest gave me giggles and smiles. The oldest offered wisdom and calm. The ones near offered visits, rides for my kids, a patient ear. The ones far offered phone calls full of hope, words of encouragement, and love. All offered prayers. I thank you all, my dear friends. What you have given to me is beyond measure. I feel so lucky.