Double Whammy

Work was a killer on Friday. The sixth graders returned from camp and I couldn’t shake the feeling that we should be whisking off all of the girls for a 11th birthday celebration – something grandiose that would last all weekend as we starting doing after Christi was diagnosed. Additionally, my sweet colleague was talking about her daughter’s birthday celebration, as her daughter’s birthday is two days before Christi’s. I do not think she knows about Christi’s bday on Monday and I just smiled and asked her questions about all of the festivities.

Friday night led us to the barn to work with Skeeter. (Thankfully, Shayne is home and is on “horse duty” because quite frankly, despite my good faith efforts, the 1,000 pound animal is just too much for me!) It was at the same barn, two years ago, where all of the girls from Christi’s class gathered to ride horses and celebrate her 9th birthday. It was wonderful! That, combined with the cold, damp weather, made me go sit in the van and put my head back for a while. I’ve not been sleeping well and I was able to doze for a bit. I know things will get better, but right now it’s like I’m haunted and consumed.

(PIC: Christi with some of her friends at her 7th birthday party. Did we really rent The Ritz and fund a puppet troupe from Cinci?! You bet! Would we do it again if we could - YOU BET!! She was worth every penny!!!)Saturday, we went to a Horse Show at the fairgrounds so Shayla would learn what she will have to do in July. It lasted for hours and she had a ball. (I enjoyed watching some of our school's students ride and give Shayla some pointers.) At the fairgrounds over the weekend, we were able to see a couple of Christi's sweet classmates. They are so sweet! They came right over to talk with us! Returning home Saturday evening after attending a fundraser for a sweet lady who helped out at many of Christi's fund raisers, I found the sweetest phone message. One of Christi's freinds call to say he was thinking about us. I absolutely coldn't believe it. I sat down and cried. God's people are amazing and are continuing to get us through!

Perhaps if Mother's Day and her Birthday weren't back to back, it'd be better. I feel like this is a double whammy, yet I do indeed count my blessings as I know I have more than most!! Additionally, I think what is so hard is that the days fell exactly as they did back in 1997. Mother's Day was on a Sunday and Monday morning at 8:13 AM, the 8 pound 4 oz. perfectly healthy baby Christi was born.

FUNNY: I'll never forget Mother's Day of 1997. We took our moms out for a buffet dinner. While waiting in line, the carver held his knives way up in the air and loudly sharpened them, right in front of me, the one 9 months pregnant going in to have a C-Section in the morning (because Christi's was breech, just like her sister and father). I couldn't eat much then as I worried that the doctors would be doing that in the morning before they sliced and diced me like the ham to get Christi out!