Now that the anxiety of Eli going through surgery and recovery is over, there are new emotions that I am feeling. To cope with my feelings I’ve stayed busy with taking care of my family, but deep down I know I need to express how I feel, but that can be hard work. Getting it out means having to think about things again, relive things. Chad and I talked some things out the other day and he encouraged me to write about all that is going on inside my heart…to get it out. Revisiting those memories have caused me to feel so blessed and full of gratitude for all of the help that we’ve received over the past month. One of those pillars of support has been family.
Bay and Darlene (Chad’s dad and step-mom) came and stayed for two weeks and took care of our children and our home. Darlene had hot meals waiting on the stove each night when we came home from the hospital. The wonderful aroma of pine-sol greeted us everyday and my laundry and ironing pile completely finished! Bay is such a caring man and southern gentleman. He’s taken care of dead batteries in cars, driven everybody everywhere, and even drove his car here to NY and left it so that we would have enough vehicles to get us back and forth to the hospital. Their generosity has been such a blessing to us…Thank you.
Dave and Diane (Chad’s step-dad and mom) decided to rent an apartment near our home so that Diane could come and stay for two months. Dave stayed in Alabama to work and care for their home so that Diane can be here. Dave’s unselfishness to share Diane with us (time and treasure) especially for such a long time has meant so much to us. Since Eliana was born, Diane hasn’t been able to spend much time with her newest grand-baby because she’s been taking care of my sick children…Emi and Drew. Diane has helped around the house, kept the kids here, there and everywhere and filled in wherever we needed help. I think we’ve worn Diane out, but I haven’t heard her complain one time. I so appreciate how much she loves and cares for our family…Thank you.
My parents (Duke and JoEllen) have taken time off of work to be at the hospital with us and bring us delicious meals. Our family picnics – thanks to my mom – have taken place in the Choices Cafe of the hospital. They’ve been there for us whenever and wherever they could. It’s been so nice spending time with my family. My mom and I have grown so close through this. We’ve cried more tears and prayed more prayers together. She told me that she hurt because of the pain Eliana had to go through but that she hurt even more to watch her baby (me) go through so much heartbreak. Before this, we never really made (or had) time to talk, but I feel like we’ve both allowed ourselves to be so vulnerable and genuine with each other…Thank you.
Thank goodness for family members who can make you laugh even in tense times. Aunt Denise flew in on the day I was supposed to be induced and she stayed until Eliana was out of surgery. Denise, thank you for keeping things lighthearted even in the darkest times. Thanks for helping Diane with Emi and Drew too. Next time make sure you have popsicles with sticks – Emily had a break down because they didn’t have sticks in them. Aunt Denise made us all laugh with that story…Thank you.
My sister and brother-in-law (Rachel and Scott) helped out so much by taking the kids overnight. Rachel, thank you for caring for your niece and nephew, for running my countless errands, and being with me the night Eli came out of surgery. Scott, thanks for buying desert the night of Eli’s surgery and for laughing at Chad as he cried over chocolate ice cream – he lied about getting it for me, it was really for him…Thank you.
Writing this post has me all choked up. I simply want to say, “thank you” to our families. There are no words to really capture how I’m feeling. There’s no real way to repay all you have done. Thank you.