Fadedwords

Last year I was lucky enough to be the one chosen to provide homebound service to a family in our school whose 7 year old daughter had osteosarcoma.  I knew it would be something that had a big impact upon my life, but I don’t think I fully understood just how big an impact.  I worked in the family’s home at least three days every week.  There were amazing and wonderful days that were filled with laughter and hope.  There were also terrible days that were filled with the fear, pain, and sorrow that cancer brings with it.  I saw things that I will never forget during this time, mostly the strength and beauty of a family going through a tremendously hard time.

I became very close with this family, especially the mom.  In the time since the little girl came back to school, her mom and I have talked on the phone and in person… and she has been a true friend.  It’s something that I am so incredibly thankful for.  She often tells me that she feels blessed that I was brought to her family, and that God sent me to them.  I always tell her that I feel as if I’m the one who got lucky in this scenario.  My life was changed drastically because of my time with them.

I hadn’t seen them all summer.  We’d talked a few times and promised to get together when things calmed down.  I called them at the beginning of July, but got no answer.  Then about a week ago I got a phone call from S, the Mom.  She had lost my phone number and “just found it!” I called her back and she asked when we could get togehter.  When I said I was pretty flexible she asked if I’d be willing to come over and hang out with L, the little girl on Friday.  Her babysitter had fallen through, and she was going out with friends.  I jumped at the chance.  It ended up turning into a super sleepover, complete with junk food, way too much makeup, and staying up until 1:30 in the morning.  You read that right, a 7 year old kept me up until 1:30 in the morning before she got tired and went in to sleep with her Mom.

I can’t post the pictures from the sleepover, because there are many pics of L and I don’t think there’s any cause to having a 7 year old’s photo up all willy nilly like.  If you would like to see them, please let me know.  I can give you the password to the album that they’re in.  It was an amazing night with so many laughs.  This is a memory I’ll have with me always… this beautiful time.  This little girl has come so far from her sickness.  It’s beautiful to see her this way.