Pushed out of the box.....to be blessed

Friday I took Alivia to Cincinnati Children’s for some of her quarterly tests. It went smooth. I think it was the best she has ever got her blood work done! No tears! And she was proud of that too.
It was a nice afternoon to just be with my daughter. When she had her IVIG infusions we were alone for the entire evening and we would talk a lot. I haven’t missed the infusions, but I have missed that time. She isn’t like most little girls that talk your ear off so, being at the hospital gives us some girls only alone time. That’s what you call looking at the glass half full!

Saturday we went with our church’s young married group to a local nursing home to sing Christmas carols. That was fun. The kids enjoyed it too, and of course the elderly people just loved to see all the kids.
After church Sunday afternoon we went to another nursing home to do the same thing. As we walked down one of the halls singing, and passing out fruit, I saw one lady sitting in her bedside chair. The kids had just given her the gift bag, and she was listening to everyone sing as we exited her hall. I noticed as our voices faded she started to cry.
Now, you all know that as a general rule I HATE to get all emotional. – I don’t know why- I just REALLY DO. I tried to walk away, but I could feel God holding me glued to the floor and telling me to go give her a hug. I started an internal argument/ temper tantrum with Him.
“Why? Whyyyy do I have to? You know how I hate to get emotional. Please, please don’t make me do this!” No change. Big surprise.
–sigh-
“Ok. how about I go in only if she looks this way?”
Bargining with God….yeah, that’s a good idea. Works every time right?
So OF COURSE, immediately as I think this in my head what does she do but look straight at me.
-sigh-
I went into her room and said I thought she looked like she could use a Christmas hug. Instantly the poor thing burst into big crocodile tears, and clung to me like there was no tomorrow. I hugged her back. I sat and chatted with her for a few minutes, and learned that her daughter was also a resident in the facility. We chatted about the holidays, and this dreary weather. When I finally felt it was ok to go I hugged her again, and wished her a Merry Christmas. She thanked me for taking the time to speak with her. Such a small thing. So quick. Just a moment out of my whole day, but it obviously meant the world to her. I left her room glad that I had pushed myself to reach out to her. And more importantly that I had obeyed God.
Right after that our group went into the locked Alzheimer unit. There was an absolutely adorable lady there that I wanted to put in my pocket and take home with me. As we left the unit I realized I didn’t know where my boys where! I turned around and there at the end of the hall right inside one of the rooms, stood Tanner and Riley. They were chatting with a lady who was unable to come down to hear our group in the dining hall like everyone else. I stood and watched them for a minute before I told them to say goodbye.
I asked what made them go down there, and they said they saw her in bed and went to say hi. Again- such a small thing. So quick.
I was so proud of them. And I will carry those memories with me the next couple weeks as I think about the true meaning of this time of year.
God sent His only son to die so that I could live. My human mind cannot even imagine such a thing. Thank you is all I can say to Him. Thank you for blessings to numerous to count.
Thank you
~Charmaine

p.s.
My good friend, Christi, that is the photographer of Snickerdoodles Photography just got back from a missions trip to Africa. If you want to look at some amazing pictures of some beautiful people run over to her blog post titled Africa, I miss you.

Blessed

Ok, so the work Christmas party was not that bad. Actually, it was pretty entertaining. Decent food, and entertainment, and it was nice to just visit with some of my co-workers. :)

I do have to remind myself that I am blessed. The problems I may have at work or home are nothing compared to those faced by others. I will definately be reminded of that when I take Alivia to Children's hospital Friday for a couple of her quarterly tests. EVERYTIME we go there we are reminded of God's blessings to us. The minute you walk through the doors it smacks you in the face. It would be impossible to NOT realize that there are people worse off than us.
So.... I will renew my hope, and press on!!!!

:)

Where has the time gone? I cannot believe it is already December 5th. I am NO where near ready for this holiday. In any way.
Today is our company christmas party....should be interesting. Always full of eager beavers more than willing to show off what "talent" they THINK they have. And of course there's always the chance to tan their noses a little more....if that's possible. Makes me sick. Amazingly enough, I still manage to have an appetite though! :) Who can resist a chocolate fountain? Whatever genious invented that deserves a nobel peace prize. Seriously, chocolate fountains posted next to every water fountain in all goverment buildings could really change the outcome of things!!!

I'm still reading Twilight. I have to admit I read the 3rd book - Eclipse- in one day! I'm on the final book now- Breaking Dawn- 430 pages into the 800+ page book, and loving it!

Well, gotta run. Time to go watch the rich people get richer....... chocolate fountain here I come!