Little Wonders

These aren't very clear of the little Princess.I forgot my camera in the rush to get out of the house this morning.Mark was able to upload these from our phones.Quality is a bit to be desired but at least you get the idea ..... Zoey remains her happy self.Although today when I arrived she was a little pale and her energy level was slightly off.When they drew labs we found her hemoglobin was fairly low and it was decided she was in need of some fresh red cells.Four hours later,pink returned to her cheeks and she was off and running.Well,not literally but you know what I mean.Today was an uneventful day.My spirits took a hit over the last few days,as noted by a few of my discerning children.Taylor feels perhaps I should snap out of the current state I have found myself in and perhaps she is right.She reminded me that Zoey has been smiling throughout all of her days here and I suppose I should take her lead.Taylor is probably right.Although better said than done, as I pass my days in the confines of these halls.But Taylor,I promise to make a better effort today.The report is much the same here.White count a solid 1 and ANC 130.She is hovering at the zero mark.I will be so thrilled when she hits the upswing but when that will be is any one's guess.Today I had the pleasure of chatting with the very sweet grandparents of a little guy from our town.Our church in fact.His name is Thomas and he is surrounded by the most incredible support system.The hall was filled with laughter,as his cousins and brother were busy doing what kids should be doing .... being joyful ,carefree kids.Thomas is 8 and he has called Children's his home since July.His family and his story are inspirations and I have been honored to spent,if only brief moments, with his mom and family.His family remains prayerful,hopeful and unwavering that Thomas will be healed and before long he will be joining his cousins and siblings in their pranks and wide eyed wonder approach to life.In fact he will be leading the pack.Thomas and his type of cancer is irrelevant here.As we pass parents,grandparents and loved ones daily in the halls,the only thing you need to know is that some child is doing battle behind the closed doors.Some family is trying to stay strong and positive amidst such fear and uncertainty.It is not easy.For some it is unbearable but each day I see not only the resiliency of these children but of their families as well.Once again I am surrounded by inspirations,Stories slightly different in content but stories that will leave me changed when our time here on the 4th floor is done.A new peer group.A new set of people to lean on.How I wish it were not in these circumstances but as life has proven time and time again,it doesn't always play out the way you wish.So you take what it does hand out and you do the very best you can and you pray like crazy that you will all come out the other side.That is all for now.3:30 am and I am going to try and catch a few more hours of sleep.Thank you once again for all the kind words,the support in the form of phone calls and emails.I know it is never easy for most of you, to know exactly what to say and do but we have to tell you ...that's okay.Just knowing you are out there makes all the difference.