Lori Freeland Christian Blog and Commentary

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Gratitude in the Face of Desperation

  • Lori Freeland

    Lori Freeland headshotLori Freeland, an encourager at heart, believes everyone has a story to tell and wants to help make those stories as strong as possible. An author, editor, and writing coach, she holds a BA in…

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  • Updated Feb 03, 2012

 

Continuing on with 365 Days of Thankful -- On my 68th day, I'm stepping out of thankful and sliding into grateful.

 

Today is Kyle's 18th birthday. My oldest, my miracle, my reminder that there is always, always something to be thankful for.

Gratitude pours from my soul when I look up into his handsome face and wrap my arms around him. I squeeze him tight, close my eyes, and remember that day more than seven years ago when I almost lost him.

 

Not only does January 28th mark his passage into to adulthood, but this very special day celebrates his passage through life.

That old saying -- You don't know what you've got until it's gone -- meant little to me until Kyle was diagnosed with leukemia in 2004. At the risk of being called out as a bad mother, I'm going to admit to not taking the time to look at my kids in a snapshot moment and think I'm so lucky to have them here with me now.

I was too busy changing diapers and tackling laundry while they fought over pieces of lint in the dryer and who got the last Popsicle. As mom to three, I've donned hats I'd never expected to wear -- good cop/bad cop, referee, laundress, maid, cook, counselor, cheerleader, bathroom instructor, teacher, math whiz, librarian, chauffeur, zoo keeper,  pastry chef, finder of all things lost, and finally

Cancer Mom.

It was that last hat that jolted me out of my complacent stupor and pointed the way to gratitude. I'd always taken our health forgranted. Up until Kyle's diagnosis, the worst illness in our house had been strep throat.

One day when we weren't looking, leukemia squealed around the corner in an ugly black hearse, tried to steal my child, and drove us so far out of our comfort zone, we doubted we'd ever find our way back.

And what was there to be thankful for in all that?

You'd be surprised.

Pain-free days, hours, minutes. Food that stayed down. A pound gained rather than lost. Friends that still came over. Meals at the kitchen table instead of in the hospital. The last day of radiation. The month chemo dropped from three times a week to once. Drugs that placated a rolling stomach. Words that soothed an angry child. Hair grown out, not lost. A marriage that didn't quite fall off the edge. Grandparents that filled the hours. PlayStation that provided distraction. Books that killed the wee hours of the night and helped deal with twenty-seven days of insomnia. Olive Garden bread sticks and Red Lobster garlic rolls. The month we hit maintenance. The year we crossed the finish line. The annual appointments with clean blood tests. The scrawny bald boy who now towers over me tall and proud -- his heart and faith forever changed.

I am so proud of the journey Kyle has walked, the strong relationship he's built with the Lord, and the man he's become. There is always, always something to be thankful for.

For my updated Days of Thankful List, CLICK HERE.

You never know when you might find yourself on my list!

Our family in 2005

 

 

Kyle and Michael Young