Thursday, April 24, 2008

the mama and the papa

I thought the hard part would be letting her go. I had no idea. Yes, I did have a giant lump in my throat when Steen and Tyson sang during the wedding -
Now I see a family where there once was none
Yeah, we've just begun
Yeah, we're gonna fly to the sun
A few hours after the hospital wedding, she came home to change clothes. We picked Amy up at the airport, got some food and took her back to the hospital. We dropped her off at the door and she walked away with a little bag. Another giant lump in my throat. She was weary. For two days she had worried. Worried about her sweetheart. All of a sudden she became the nurturer in a big way, riding in an ambulance, watching him go through procedures, holding him tight, running out in the hall to get help. Worried about her family and the preparations that had to come to a screeching halt. She cried and apologized. We assured her that his health, his very life was by far the most important part.
She spent her honeymoon on a hospital couch bed, waking every hour to beeping machines and night nurses. Early in the morning she called. Did we miss her? DID WE MISS HER! Oh, yes we did. We picked her up that afternoon and fed her. I felt some relief. She was still my baby and I could still take care of her.

I think we all figured he'd be home in a couple of days - home to his new bride and the beginning of their life together. He's still not home. Tonight marks 2 weeks of this baffling experience. Sometimes she sleeps at the hospital. Sometime exhaustion wins and she sleeps here. She finished boxing up her childhood. She's set up the room that she hopes he will soon come home to. She's learning a new vocabulary. Lipids and amylase. She watches enzyme levels and monitors his breathing as he sleeps. Did I say letting her go was the hard part? Well, it's nothing compared to the waves that sneak up on me now. I can't fix this for my baby. She is ready to be a wife. I am ready to enjoy this season as they become the mama and the papa. I promise I will be brave and happy. Just let him heal and come home.

The helpless feelings have been hard for everyone. Today we chose to be proactive. If he can have liquids by mouth then we will bring in good stuff. No more orange colored Jello, high fructose corn syrup juices or msg loaded beef boullion. We loaded up at Whole Foods. Teas, homeopathics, probiotics and antioxidants. She will update her blog daily and share reply posts with him. We're organizing a family day of prayer and fasting for this Sunday. To everyone within the reach of this blog's ripples: Please join us in prayer and support as his doctors try to figure out why his digestive system shut down, his pancreas inflammed and his esophagus tore. If love can heal him, well, we're giving it all we've got. We have grown to love him and welcome him as one of our own.

It really seems like yesterday that we, too, were 18 years old and newly married. We had no idea how we were going to survive. It was more than our determination that carried us. It was the quiet, loving support of family and we are more than ready to pay it forward.
It used to be our song. . .
And in the morning when I rise
Bring a tear of joy to my eyes
And tell me everything's gonna be alright
To Kody and Jade ~
I don't know exactly how or when, but you will be together and on your way soon. You are going to be just fine.

We love you.

Mama and Papa




7 comments:

Mama's Place said...

Thank you for the family update, this was a sweet post. Families are our reason for being. Give Jade a hug for me and I will let my family know about the fast and we will join in with your family. My prayers go out to Jade and Kody, may he be home soon. Love your family Cathy, take care and keep us posted.♥♥

Jade said...

Hey that was happy, thanks for thinking of me. I love my momma so much. I've been seeing a lot of good in this situation of how much I have learned and am realizing. Thanks for helping me along the way, and bringing me and baby special lunches. You have a sweet little heart. I think about you every day and I'm so thankful that I get to be your best friend. Thanks for loving me and take care of me through this. I can't wait for him to come home. We love you.

Lovely Lindsay said...

big giant hearts.
this family of ours.
i am so lucky.
i am so lucky.
i am so lucky.

BirthLady said...

Wow, okay you have to stop making me cry all the way here in New Hampshire. I listen to you tell the story of the past two weeks and I think of my babies and what it will be like when I have to let them go. What a precious family you have and it's so wonderful to see all the siblings supporting and loving each other. I will pray that they figure out what is going on so that he can get well and they can settle into normalcy. Let me know if there is anything I can do from here. I'd love to be able to help in some way. Oh, and a side note... Wow, Papa is much taller than Mama. Your as short as I am Cathy. (smile)

naturaljoy said...

You must have felt like making me cry today:) I'm so glad that Jeff was the son in the song of your story, what great things await those 2. We are praying and fasting today.

Anonymous said...

that was the most wonderful blog post i ever read...coming straight from your heart into ours...we miss our best nieghbors ever, it seems like Jade grew up in a heartbeat. my little family is keeping her and her love in our prayers. we wish them the best and many many happy years yet to come.


olga novoselskiy your ex nieghbor=)

cassandra noƫlla said...

i love the larson family.