The Magic of Christmas

For a brief time on this Christmas day,we were all together.The eight of us.Something we have not been able to do for almost 3 weeks.Yes,come Monday,Round 2 will reach 21 days.And counting.Miss Zoey is taking her time with her numbers.Slow coming down and so hoping the upswing is quicker.But one thing is for certain ... Zoey is doing so unbelievably well.I hesitate in even uttering that but it is what it is and we are so proud of her.She continues to charm everyone around her and with each passing day I fall more in love with this child.If that's even possible.Her strength and unwavering determination continues to wow us all.Besides a few rough days at the beginning,she has had a relatively easy go of it.G-tube issues have been minimal.Side effects almost none existent.She has had a cold for the last two weeks but her lungs remain clear and it appears to be primarily upper respiratory.So we wait.Something we have gotten fairly proficient at.When we get sprung is any ones guess.Mark has all next week off and how great would that be if we found our way home for a few days then?There were a few moments on Christmas day that I felt little pangs of sadness but on the whole we made our way through the day knowing this year was done,as it needed to be done, to ensure we had a chance at a lifetime of Christmas's together.The 4th floor was actually an amazing place to be on Christmas Day.The entire floor bustled with holiday activity and scattered amongst the heavy hearts were faces that radiated joy and .... hope.I went to bed last night,curled up on my faithful bench and I thanked God for the gift of the day.My prayers were weighted down with the names,a list actually,of all the magical children who are in need of their miracle.Families that are in need of strength and renewed hope.Families like ours,doing the best they can to wade through the days,accept that which is not in our control and embrace the moments that are right in front of us.My list has gotten long.Really long.Too long.Yesterday was a reminder that illness does not stop for Christmas.In fact,it takes no notice of it at all and because of that I kept all these kids and and their families close to my heart yesterday.Be it Zoey's friends on this blog or our new friends made on this latest journey,each one of you,their parents and families have blessed me in ways you could never know.Another humble thank you to all those in our community and beyond that extended their hand to us during this holiday season and so selflessly gave a piece of your life to ours.Christmas Eve all the kids and I headed out front to toss Reindeer food out onto the lawn.As we opened the door we see a package that has been left for us.In this package was the most incredible array of things.Gift cards,movie tickets,toys for the boys and presents for the girls.We were so touched and we have no idea who dropped it to us.Once again strangers that have given of their self.Selflessly.So thank you ..... again.I hear my bed calling me.First, perhaps a bath.Oh, the little things we take for granted,that 2 months in the hospital will cause you to appreciate ever so much more.This entire journey had been an opportunity for us all to appreciate that which we so effortlessly took for granted before.A lesson to live and learn from the little things and more importantly,the little ones that have graced our lives.Now .... that's a Christmas gift.