Sunday, January 27, 2008

A matter of perspective...

Dan and I are closet "Friday Night Lights" fans. We don't watch it when it is actually on, but we DVR it and watch it later. I guess it is because we are both from small southern towns. We also both love anything football. Anyway, there was something Coach Taylor said on an episode last week that hit me when I was on my run yesterday. (I do my best thinking when I run...)

Let me build the story for you....We spent the latter part of the day yesterday (Saturday) in the Peds ER of the Medical University of South Carolina Hospital. WAS.NOT.FUN! They are both fine today, but not so much yesterday. You see, their little bodies were still getting over this nasty stomach bug that invaded our house (Dan did NOT get it! He's the only one.) and poor little Jack was not producing wet diapers and had not kept anything-liquids or solids-down all week. He was literally shivering Saturday morning in his high chair, so we began getting concerned about dehydration. Brady, was fine, eating, drinking, etc but we noticed when we got him from his morning nap that his hands, feet and lips were purplish, blue. I put a call into our doctor and he recommended going the the ER at MUSC Children's Hospital. I, of course, was a wreck. He was breathing fine, though. But the blueness lasted all the way to the hospital (until we pulled in the parking lot, then it went away...). So, we spent about 3 hours there, while they assessed both boys. Jack started perking up and had held down his breakfast and snack. He started acting a little like himself and the blueness never appeared in Brady again. They could not figure out why it happened after thoroughly looking him over. So, they sent us home with two-on-the-road-to-recovering boys. Dan and I were SPENT from the week. It has been such a long and terrible week, it was the last thing we wanted to do...but we HAD to take them there.

So, we were having a little pity party on the way home...and weren't in very good moods. When I got home, I decided I really needed a run to sort out and process this week. While I was running, (random I know) I remember something Coach Taylor said on an episode when his wife was complaining about staying at home or going back to work with their infant daughter...and he said "This is not our burden, it is our gift"....It really hit me when he said it on the show and it hit me again as I was running. Five years ago, I would have NEVER, EVER dreamed I would be sitting in the ER with my twin boys and my 3 year old at a friends house. I didn't think I could ever carry a baby to term and it be healthy and happy.

My children are not my burdens (healthy or sick), they are my gifts! Sorry to ramble, just had to put my thoughts in print today. Don't worry, I'll be back to being funny tomorrow.

7 comments:

Deep in the Heart said...

We LOVE that show too! And I try to remember that comment as Brian heads off to New Orleans for the week. So sorry to hear about the ER trip and so glad to hear things are looking OK. Brian took Jake when he was having that allergic reaction - I didn't even know he went until they were heading home. I'm glad you two could go together.

Also just finished reading "A Thousand Splendid Suns". Talk about perspective. Those amazing women and the things they did to protect their family.

PaperCourt said...

Sorry to hear about your ER visit. We had a similar visit with my 4-year-old in early December. Glad everyone is on the mend.

marathon mom said...

Hope everyone gets better soon- Rich is the only one to dodge teh stomach bug at our house.

Somewhere Between Pinot and Pacifiers said...

You poor things! Nothing is worse than a trip to the hospital with a little one, let alone two little ones! I am glad everything is ok now. I hope this week will be much easier for all of you.

Slacker Mama said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the boys! I hope they are feeling better.

You always have a great perspective on life, but this was very inspring.

Sweet Pea Chef said...

Well put, as always!

justme said...

Me and hubby LOVE Friday Night Lights. I am gaga over Riggins.

I feel bad that i didn't even take his line the way you did. i need to !!! thanks for an uplifting thought. adding you to my blogroll.