Yuck

It has been a strange day today. I got inspired to make Chex mix after going to my dad's last week and feasting on his. I thought it would be a nice treat to make for TJ's family for when we head over there on Thursday. It is an espcially good batch. I let it sit in the oven for longer than required due to the timing of Jaelynne's feeding of cereal today. I had it all planned out. You have to stir that chex mix every fifteen minutes and i also add Parmesan cheese during every stirring (a tip i got from my dad) Jaely was taking a nap, so i had just enough time to work it in around her eating schedule. She got a little fussy 45 minutes into her nap- like normal. That put me behind a little bit. . . but then i got the news.

A friend of mine found out that her five year old daughter has leukemia. I just sat there- letting it all sink in, as if it ever really could. I then decided that i needed to get over my phone phobia and make some calls to some of her other friends. With Jaely still napping, i did just that.

I cannot tell you how many times i have thought about my friend. Images of her daughter with her bright orange curly hair, freckles, and glasses pops into my head and i think what a long road ahead it will be for that family. I just have so much pain and sympathy for all that they are going through.

My friend has prayed on so many occasions for me and she is not hesitant to let me know. She teaches in the classroom next door to me and we would gather in the hall sometimes when we had both had enough or when we had something funny to share. There would be times last year when we would meet in the hall and we would both tear up, knowing that i was carrying a miracle. . . a much prayed for miracle by the name of Jaely. TJ and i would sometimes feast with her and her husband. I love hanging out with her kids. I think how her life is turned upside down- where nothing matters right now but getting that beautiful daughter of hers well.

I think i feel it more strongly now that i have a child of my own. Every time i read jaely a story today, or put he down for a nap, or play with her, or nurse her, i think of little Greta who is so sick. I am again reminded of just how fragile life truly is- how our children are really a gift from God.

If you are the praying type- please pray for Greta and the rest of her family.