I’ve been thinking a lot lately about life—I get sentimental like that sometimes ;).
When I look back on the hardest trials in my life, it’s interesting how at the time I didn’t know why it all had to happen, but I can see the beauty in the trials as I look back, and sometimes, I can see the “why’s” as well.
Do you ever find yourself landed on a blog that makes you cry like a baby because the person has had to go through such incredible trials? I have a few blogs that are so inspiring to me because they have gone through some of the hardest things I can imagine (or things that I didn’t even know existed).
My dear sister, her wonderful husband, and their 6 amazing kids are going through the fire right now. My heart aches for them as I see the struggles they are experiencing that were so unexpected.
Yet the beauty of life and the fact that people are amazing shine through every trial. To see family and friends pull together, praying and doing whatever they can to help. To see the amount of hardship that a person can handle…it’s amazing. People are amazing.
Life is hard. Things happen that don’t always make sense and just might never…but there is beauty in hardship.
I don’t share very many personal stories on my blog, but my heart has been overflowing with gratitude towards health care professionals. So I’m going to share…
I think about my sweet little B being born. I knew something wasn’t right with her head shape…after searching online and her getting a CAT scan, it was confirmed that she had craniosynostosis, the fusing of some of her skull bones. Part of her skull would need to be removed surgically. Definitely not a huge deal compared to so many other things that can happen to your child, but it was still a trial for us. A really hard trial. We handed off our sweet, 2 month old Little B to the skilled doctors and prayed for the best. I loved that there were amazing people that we could hand her off to—people who care so much about helping others that they make it their profession. Again—amazing people.
Looking back even further to my second child being born c-section. It was meant to be. I know it was. I probably didn’t need to have a c-section with him—but I strongly believe it was so that they were more cautious when I wanted to have a normal delivery with B. She was under too much stress so she was born via c-section as well. Since then, I’ve read countless stories of the labor being horrible when the baby has craniosynostosis (often ending up in c-sections) because the bones in their head don’t shift and mold how they are supposed to, and can possibly even crack their skull during birth. Scary stuff.
During the time of preparing for her surgery, and then during and after her surgery, I felt the love of my Heavenly Father. During that trial, I felt the love of my family and friends. During that trial, I felt peace as I handed my little girl over to the doctor. When I saw her next she looked like this:
During that trial, I broke down in tears so many times wondering why my little girl had to go through so much pain and why I had to stand by feeling so helpless. And even though that answer isn’t fully understood by me, I do understand that it is part of life. Because it is when I look back over hard times that I can more fully enjoy the world around me as it is now. I can see God’s hand throughout the trial as I look back.
Today, I am so grateful for living where we do, with excellent health care. I really believe that I have them to thank for my children’s lives—my first son had the cord wrapped around his neck when he was born and had difficulty breathing for the first few hours after birth. My second son D had his appendix rupture when he was 4, which, in a nut-shell, basically poisons your body very quickly. Who knows what would have happened to B if she was not a c-section.
Yes, hard times–but hard times that have made my family who we are today. It helps me look around and feel very content in my life when the going isn’t as tough as it could be. Hopefully I’ll use the “downtime” I have to help those who are going through their tough times!
oh sweetie, first off prayers to you and your sister’s family. oh those pictures of your sweet little girl are horrible. your so strong to be able to show them and to even look at them. definately makes us all apprecite what we have. i don’t know how many times i have said the same thing about doctors and medicine. neither me or my son would not be here today if if wasn’t for doctors and modern medicine. its hard when my little guys birthday comes around, as his birth is a reminder of how close i was to leaving this beautiful place. i am forever greatful for what doctors do. hang in there, im sure this is not an easy time for you either, xx hugs:)
Thanks for sharing your story…our stories make us stronger and they are there to help someone else on their journey of life .
I say amen to your higher help….we know how much we needed him too in our journey.
<3
Thsnk you for sharing your story. How God works all things for good , llke the c section… Isn’t it amazing when you look back at life and see the paths that God has laid out for us. What a beautiful story and testtement. What a beautiful family.
What a very inspiring and thoughtful post. You are a wonderful person Christie! And have always been a wonderful friend!
xo
Totally agree with you! My neighbor had the same surgery as your daughter. Now he’s 10 and wearing a mohawk with a cool zigzag scar on each side. His mark of honor and bravery!
Wow, thank you for sharing you story.
I am in tears now. But that is ok. Like you said, it makes you grateful for the things you have,
My eldest son of 10 years old had open heart sugery last year. Everything went well, but we had some stressed times. And thank God that it was possible to perform this surgery, that doctors are so skilled.
Love frome Holland, Joni
Thank you for sharing your story. I feel the same way when I learn that my favorite bloggers have gone through some of these things. My daughter was born via c-section and with a heart condition consisting of 4 defects. She had her first surgery (open-heart) at 4 1/2 months and has had 2 procedures since. She still has a long road ahead of her. At least one procedure every 2 years until she is a teenager and at least 2 more open heart surgeries, but we are so blessed to have wonderful doctors and wonderful family support and it really can make all the difference in the world. My heart goes out to your family. We will keep them in our prayers.
Thanks for sharing I’ll be praying for your sister. We all have our time in the fire I think sometimes it’s good for us it helps us remember who really is in control it’s our time for growing. I look back on all our hard times and thats when I did the most growing, I just wish our Father wouldn’t till this ground so offen.
Holly
What a great perspective on trials. So often I think we fail to see God’s influence and blessings in our lives. Thanks for sharing your testimony of this.
Best wishes for your sister and her family.
Oh, what a special post. I don’t know what is going on with your sister, but I will be praying for her. We just found out that Ethan has to have surgery AGAIN. For the fifth time in less than 8 years. Life is kind of hard sometimes! But it’s also worth it.
(P.S. I miss living close to you!!)
Thank you for sharing all of those wonderful words.
Hoping happy thoughts to your sister and her family.
Awe… your little one is so sweet. I’m glad she was able to make it through her hardest times. And you too. I know it is SO difficult when they are so little. We went through some tough times too when our little ones were born and my little neice had to have brain surgery 8 times in 9 months when she was born. All is well now though. Health care is amazing. I maybe should blog that stuff too, but I try to keep my blog about the fun stuff, so I also know what you mean in that case.
i couldn’t help but tear up when i saw that picture, my now 18 month old son was born with craniosynostosis as well. it was unknown to us before his birth, and ended up having to do a emergency c-section. he had the corrective surgery when he was 3 months old, and is doing great now. it was the Lord that got us thru it too. glad all is well now them your children, they are precious.
Just wanted to say my nephew had the same condition when he was a baby. He is now a big wonderful 30 year old man.
Thanks for sharing this story with us. I am very happy to hear that things are now okay. Your sister will be in my thoughts.
Just Better Together
You are such a beautiful person. Thank you for sharing your thoughts of gratitude. They really helped me be grateful as well. Best wishes to your sister and her family.
I teared up just seeing the picture of your daughter. They thought my oldest son had craniosynostosis as well, but thankfully, he did not. I cannot imagine how I would have gotten through it if he had. But I suppose we just do. Because there isn’t any way but through it. Prays for your sister and her family with whatever trails life has handed them.
you brought me to tears.
thank you for sharing and i’m for you that everything turned out the way it did.
Sensitizing and moving stories of struggles experienced
with their children, but our Lord is always wonderful
ahead, doing the best! YOUR HANDS operate
incredibly with surprising results.
May God bless you, your family to shedding copious
showers of blessings today and always !!!!!
P.S. beautiful children!
With love, Dolly (Brazil)
Wow! Thank you for posting your story. Our God is faithful, and I needed the reminder. Thank you!