FAMILY SESSION: Just Us

My sister was born with 4 holes in her heart back in the 80s. 

Even though medicine wasn't what it is now, everyone always did everything that could be done to help her get "well"...

I remember the first few years of her life, after her open heart surgeries...the many trips to the hospital, the nights my mom was away from my brother & me...

but, when Sarah came home, life settled into a normal...

she was my sister...

it didn't matter that she had a scar down the length of her chest, where staples left the mountainous ridges in her tiny breastbone as a toddler...it didn't matter that she had multiple tests or knew the hospital like the back of her hand...

she.was.my.sister.

And like any other sibling, we laughed, we fought, we teased, we tattled...

As siblings, we don't necessarily "see" the outward so much...because it's just part of everyday life...

our "normal" may have looked odd or maybe procured "pity" from others, 

but to us,

it was just family...

And yet...looking back...I recognize lessons and perspectives that were gleaned...that perhaps we otherwise wouldn't have obtained had she not dealt with the issues that befell her? 

I don't mention all this to gain attention or sorrow...nor do I say that it was "okay"...I'd much rather her NOT have had to deal with pain & fear & ultimately a condition that took her life...

BUT...

we aren't given the option to choose some of the situations that are placed on us...

and so, we use our choices in other ways...

AND...

when I'm not in my sulking of "why her", or "why us", or hurting from confusion & sadness in the "yuck" of it all...

God reminds me of how he uses "challenge" to make something good...even when the "challenge" isn't going to change...

AND SO...

It didn't surprise me at all...

to watch brothers know how to secure a wheelchair into a van...

to see them "pop a wheely" or jump on the back for a ride themselves...

It also didn't surprise me, the teasing and jesting that took place either...

this is life...this is the norm...

and it's beautiful!

This momma & daddy are doing a pretty fantastic job of not only putting one foot in front of the other, even in the face of challenges from time to time...but, they do it with grace, humor, patience and perseverance...

My husband has already mentioned that our girls aren't "allowed" to date until they are 30 (insert rolling of eyes here from my teenage girls) however, I may or may not have told Carrie that I wouldn't be at all upset if our children "happened" meet in the future...(if you catch my drift :) 

It's always a joy to meet up with them :)  I hope you enjoy their "story" as much as I do!