What a wonderful, hospital-free fall we have had!! We feel pretty much back to normal with Lydia doing so well. She is a smart, strong-willed, life-loving 3 year old. Our family did get the flu last month, but Lydia pulled through it without having to be hospitalized. It was wonderful!
With the celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday, I have thought a lot about the first couple of Thanksgivings of Lydia's life. She was in the hospital for her first surgery (the Kasai procedure) for her first Thanksgiving. That was the beginning of a long, arduous road for her and our family. My heart was very heavy on that day. I was grateful for kind and caring hospital workers and for loved ones (the Olsen's) who came to visit us.On her second Thanksgiving, she was gratefully not in the hospital, though she had been several times thoughout the previous year and would often be following that day. We spent the day with my family in beautiful Eden. We had a delicious Thanksgiving breakfast at my mom's house. We then went to the beach of Pineview Reservoir for a paper plate turkey shoot. Following the turkey shoot, we went to the white church in Eden for a delightful Thanksgiving dinner. That day was a day of healing and hope for me as we enjoyed regular conversation and fun with loved ones in the midst of turmoil in my life. That day stands out to me as a great tender mercy which helped me through many more tough days ahead.
