On the Monday morning when we woke the sky was blue and the sun was shining, almost like the universe knew that we needed it to be a good day. With Maisie due to be admitted to the hospital the next day we were keen to spend one last day with her like a 'normal' family. One last day where she still looked healthy and happy, and where she didn't have the physical mark of surgery sketched forever on her perfect little body as a constant reminder of the battle she faced. One last day where we were all together and all enjoying life. We didn't know what way the surgery was going to go, how she would recover, or what scale of treatment awaited us following the surgery. There was so much that would be happening in the week ahead that we would have no control over and we knew it was going to be difficult, stressful and emotional. But what we did have was that one day. I wanted to embrace it, enjoy it as much as I could and create the happiest of memories so that no matter what happened in the week to come I could look back and know we made the most of the time that we had. That we spent one last day together as a family, smiling together and loving each other.
We decided to take Maisie to the People's Park, (this is where I took her on our first ever walk together when she was only 8 days old, so it seemed appropriate), to feed the ducks, have a little picnic and an ice cream....or three. On the way we picked up Granny and Granda who are Maisie's biggest supporters and a pillar of strength for Keith and I, and it was smiles and giggles all round. What I will remember from that day was the sun warming our skin, ice cream cooling our tongues, feeding the ducks but Maisie having more interest in watching the pigeons, walking side by side with my husband and finding comfort in the familiar warmth and strength of his hand and the little cheeky grin of our girl.
Going to bed that night the joy of the day was still upon my face but the fear of the next few days weighed very heavy on my heart. Is this really going to be our 'one last day?' Difficult to ask, even more difficult to feel but it is reality none the less.
Wendy.
Wendy what a brace and beautiful post! There are no words that will make you feel any better. Just know that so many people are willing Maisie well. Write it all down... the negative as well as the positive and one day you will all look back on it and Maisie will know what a fantastic family she has. This WILL pass. Maisie will be well . Sending you all my love xxx
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