Sunday, July 20, 2008

Hearing the cries

I was at the doctor recently having some bloodwork done (nothing crazy...just normal yearly check-up stuff) and there was another mother in there with her son. I don't really know what was wrong with him, but it was very evident he had serious medical conditions. I found out he was 3 years old but he laid in his stroller/chair without moving or making a sound. I am not a medical expert in any way but he was hooked up to some kind of trach device that went into his neck and it seemed like it was helping him breathe. He went back before me to get his blood drawn and I could see him from where I was sitting. The nurse pricked his heel to get the blood and he didn't make a sound or move a muscle but his mother knew he didn't like it. She gently reached down and wiped the tears from his eyes...the only sign that he knew something hurt. Then she said something that changed my life. She said, "I can't even remember the last time he cried. I know it was over 2 years ago. I would give anything just to hear him cry again." I could hardly hold back the tears at that point. I hope that I will always remember that moment...especially when all 3 of my girls are screaming at the same time...and simply be thankful that I can at least hear their cries!

4 comments:

Lindsay said...

I hope I have the wisdom to remember this thought - even when I'm at the end of my rope. Thanks for posting it!

Pautlitz Blog said...

WOW, thank you I needed that!

Amy said...

oh my goodness...ya...amazing perspective...thanks ames.

Teresa said...

oh that is so piercing and as a mom my heart breaks for that mom missing those parts of her precious son... what a gift we have in our little ones