Going through what Bruce, myself, Jason and Nicole go through on a daily basis is not easy. You learn to manage the symptoms, manage the pain, learn what makes your child comfortable, learn how to deal with the pain of not being able to help your child. You learn that absence is sometimes a necessary thing in life, not something intentional but something out of your control.
In our almost 10 years with Jason I have been blessed with so many miracles. I have watched the miracle of my little boy grow from strength to strength, the miracle that God gives him the strength and determination to keep going, to fight these infections, to fight through the pain and discomfort he feels so often. The daily miracles we are seeing with his eating, his health and his speech. The miracle of my husband who has stood by us through everything. Who has always been there for us, to comfort us, to be strong for us, to be there for Nicole when I couldn't and with going through all this to remember to be strong for himself when he too is just trying to cope and get through the emotions of a day. The miracle of our little girl Nicole, our free spirit, our strong willed determined little girl - she has had to grow up faster than most little girls her age. She has watched her big brother getting sick and in so much pain, she has had to learn to manage on her own sometimes, often with an absent mother and brother. The miracles of our amazing parents being there for us when they too are battling to cope with the reality of the situation themselves. Watching their children and grandchildren trying to cope in a difficult situation and they just can't do it for you. The miracle of our brothers, sister in laws and nieces and nephews who in the distance are always there for us. Watching us trying to cope, lending a hand where they can. The miracles of our friendships - how we just have those amazing friends who no matter what they are going through in their own lives, they are always there for us. They call us, they text us no matter what they are going through. Sometimes we get lost in our own world and forget to phone or text them but no matter what they are there for us . The miracle of each and every speech therapist, occupational therapist, teacher and care giver that have been there for Jason and us every step of the way. They are responsible for pushing Jason to thrive, to eat, to read, to write. The miracle of those doctors and nurses that have been by our side from when Jason was practically born. These doctors and nurses are miracles to us. They have become our hope and our friends. Never giving up on Jason, sacrificing their precious family time to be with him and helping us. When they themselves are so tired but determined to be there for us, for Jason.
And right there on the top, the miracle of God, the one who performs all these miracles, the one that brings these people in our path, the one that gives us peace, rest and an understanding that no matter what we go through, he is with us every step of the way.
You know when you are going through tough times, you forget or sometimes neglect to see the people and the miracles right in front of your eyes. I know I am sometimes guilty of that. Sometimes we need to breathe, take a step back, take it all in and remember what we have been through and who has been there for us. I am forever grateful for these miracles. The miracles of life and who is in it with us. These are the miracles from heaven!