A Lesson in Love

I have always heard that children who are labeled as "special" many times bring with them such joy.

I know that children who come from situations like Lucy's, however, often bring with them such sadness.

I got a lesson in both this morning.

My sweet Lizzie has been dreading this morning.

She did not want to go...

She did not want to hear what she ultimately ended up hearing and she was not happy.

For a while now, Hubby and I have felt like Lizzie's clubfoot might just be relapsing.

That sweet little foot of hers was a tough case...

It took 18 clubfoot casts and a night brace to get that precious foot turned around and right side up...

and she was a trooper!

 

 

So, this morning, she knew what was coming, the words that she would hear...

Surgery, a cast and possible night bracing as well.

My sweet Lizzie was able to keep it together long enough for the doctor to leave the room and then she fell apart.

Sobbing

As I was comforting my precious child, I happen to look over at Lucy.

The look on her face was one of fear y'all...

fear and heartache

The minute I asked her if she was ok, she began to sob!

I asked her if she was worried about Lizzie and she was able to nod her head yes.

Oh my...

Now, I know that Lizzie's sadness was mostly a trigger but the fact that this beautiful child felt such a strong bond with her new sister and was so concerned about Lizzie just melted my heart!

I know that Lucy has memories and loss and images from her past that we will have to help her deal with and I can only imagine what images and feelings Lizzie reaction brought up for Lucy but in that moment, I was praising the Lord for pouring His love into this child!

Now, I mentioned the joy!

Y'all know that Lucy loves to laugh but Maggie has her own sense of mischief and fun and it was much needed this morning!

So, backing up a bit, as the doctor was trying to tell me about the surgery, Maggie was bouncing around the room, interrupting us, showing me her coloring page over and over and playing with the trash can...

 

and I was beginning to get irritated.

That irritation was quickly replaced by "awww", however, as Maggie ran over to Lizzie the moment she began to cry and just hugged and hugged on her sister!

 

Amazing y'all!

However, this did not help Lizzie or Lucy as they both continued to sob - loudly - in the doctor's office!

As I stood there with the 2 girls sobbing and Maggie playing with the trash can, you know the ones that you step on to make the lid pop up, I thought how crazy this must look and how crazy my life seemed right then...

 

and then it hit me...

 

Maggie was having a grand old time...

 

with the trash can y'all...

 

As I stood there bemoaning my circumstances, Miss Maggie was showing me how to just laugh!

 

So I did!

 

I just stood there and laughed and said out loud, to no one in particular, "Well, look at us.  I have you two crying and Maggie playing with the trash can!"

 

 And that was just what we needed.

Lucy and Lizzie looked at me and looked at Maggie, laughing as she stepped and popped that lid over and over and they could not help but laugh too!

Maggie was so pleased with herself that she had to find every single trash can on the way out of the hospital! 

Joy and sadness...

Yep, got a lesson in both today!

Thank you Lord!

I have a feeling there will be many more lessons like this to come!