Sights and Smells
Thank you all for the support, love, and wisdom you’ve given to my family and me over the past few days. It’s meant so much to us.
We are all feeling much better around here. Lily especially is doing incredibly well, aside from a little sore back.
This experience has certainly changed the way I am looking at the world. Everyday feels like a gift. Small and simple things seem so lovely.
Forgive me for being sentimental and rambling, but I am sharing a few of the things that have made me happy over this past week.
Is there anything better than homemade well wishes? Lily’s cousin sent this wonderful 3-D card. I need to find a way to keep it forever.
Me too, sweetie. Me too.
If you are feeling at all blue, please make these muffins. I swear rubbing sugar and orange zest together in your hands is good for whatever ails you. The smell is pure joy.
Speaking of happy smells… my children, just out of the bath, in their soft pajamas, snuggling up while we read a good book. If only I could bottle that feeling and smell.
Stitching is such a simple pleasure. I can’t help loving happy stacks of fabric ready to be cut and made into something good. Why do I so love putting together a neat stack of fabric for a project?
That lovely pink cyclamen at the top of the page is on my kitchen table. Since I sew at my table, it is just a few feet away. Have you ever noticed that some, only some, cyclamen have a faint but wonderful smell. It will stop you mid-stitch when you catch it’s scent.
Yesterday I delivered a Valentine lunch to my kids at school. It wasn’t really all that special, I cut their sandwiches into a heart, I made their favorite celery and Laughing Cow cheese and I included cake balls that my sister had made. I wrote each of them a Valentine card included in the bag.
When I delivered the lunch, my son was already coming down the hall. When he caught sight of me, he broke out into smile and I thought my heart might burst.
How have I never noticed how many lovely moments make up each day?
What a good reminder to look for the small blessings in each day. Many of those small blessings are really the biggest blessings! Thank you, Calli.
Those are exactly the moments to be thankful for! The little, everyday things- that I try to enjoy deeply, because someday (way too soon) I know they’ll grow up and *sniff* not be making crazy noise, or leaving toys to step on. Thanks for the reminder to enjoy it! :)
I am sitting here with tears in my eyes as I read your last post. I have been so busy with parent/teacher conferences this week that I have not even been on my laptop. My heart and prayers are with your family. Everything is so precious and I am thankful each day that wonderful people, like you, share their experiences so we can all celebrate God’s wonderful love for each and every one of us.
I cannot imagine going through this horror with Lily that your husband experienced–and that Lily is OK after all that—God is good—what a miracle you have been given…
You have been given two gifts. The safety of your family and the gift of awareness of God’s presence in your lives.
Thanks for sharing. It has given me much to think about.
peace,
amy
I’m sitting here nearly in tears as I read your last post. Thank God Lily was protected! Our kids are so precious, and I think it’s easy to just take their presence for granted as we have them with us day in and out.
Thanks for sharing this story!
Mia
Your story touched me deeply. I have a child with major medical issues and totally know what you’re going through now. It totally re-arranges your life and gives you a ‘different’ understanding. Here is a quote I found and posted on my FB wall before Christmas, which relates to why you’re now noticing things you never noticed before:
“Be thankful for the bad things you face in life, for they open your eyes to all the good things you weren’t paying attention to before”. It’s hard to be thankful for tough things we have to face, but I truly believe they make your life richer and fuller. What a blessing came from this – your daughter is ok, she and her dad will have an amazing bond for the rest of their lives and everyone in your family will look at what really matters in life – for the rest of their lives! Thanks for sharing. It brought tears, but thankfully they were the good kind of tears.
I happened to find your blog via pinterest and just finished reading the events about Lilly’s accident and I am so thankful to read that despite the horrible experience it was a positive outcome, God was definitely listening to your other daughters prayer and by the example of a loving father He made sure she was safe.
God bless you and your family!