{for good and for bad} moments

moments of happiness take me by surprise. 

not often enough do i step back from life’s distractions to enjoy what is going on around me.  the flowers springing from the ground. the smell of clean sheets, the kindness of strangers.

most of all i forget to sit back and watch my children interact. finding joy in one another. most of all loving each other.

this past sunday i had one of those happy moments. between running up and down stairs looking for clean church clothes for everyone (i know i procrastinate) i walked past the guest room and saw miss reese lying on the bed. at first glance she looked alone.  then i heard someone else in the room.  i stopped by the door to listen. i was taken back when i realized it was dallin. he had not yet found any interest in reese  and here he was alone with her. lying next to her. not for the camera, just to be there.  i quietly listened,  “everything is going to be okay.  i know you can hear me...”

the camera was in my room, only steps away. so a quick sprint down and back gave me a chance to snap this moment.

……….

we have been fasting and praying for reese. she has had a series of tests on her ears.  she hasn’t passed any of them.

her last test was yesterday. going into it jon and i had such a reassuring feeling that she was responding to noise. unfortunately, she didn’t pass and was diagnosed with a severe to profound hearing loss. 

gulp.

{knife to the heart}

the news is hard to swallow.  a sad moment in my life. oh, my little perfect girl.  alexander’s condition is so rare, we were told that there was almost no chance that it would happen again.

to say that it was a waste of time and energy to fast and pray is not possible.  since the last failed test 3 weeks ago we have been comforted. not an ounce of sadness or worry filled our hearts during that time. we have been able to go day to day without the heavy burden of raising another deaf child. looks like we will have to keep going.

we are on the same path we found ourselves on 3 years ago.  the good thing is, we know what to do next.

reese, you have a very kind and wise older brother always looking out for you, and talking to you.  he is right, you can hear him, through your heart…

…for now that is.