The last phase of turning

I do regret that I haven't kept up with this blog like I intended to. It seems like these past few weeks have been filled with ups and downs. I really have been running myself ragged. I don't have any clue what has kept me going these past few months. It has been extremely difficult juggling all that needs to be done in a day, including but definitely not limited to; Caleb's daily PT appointments in WPB, doctor's appointments, pin turning, pin care, at home exercises and stretches, managing a household, managing three other children, keeping up with homework, dinner, laundry, etc., etc., etc,. Josh has been instrumental in keeping our household together. He is a bit of a clean freak so the house has not gotten completely wrecked during this time. I really have to remember how lucky I am for this.

These past few months I have thought of my grandmother frequently. While I haven't had her in quite some time (she passed away when I was 13) I have felt her presence more than ever before. I have also thought a lot about a poem that she introduced me to as a young girl, Footprints in the Sand. This poem has been very meaningful these past few months because it truly feels like we have not been alone in all this. We have been carried through this, like the single set of footprints in the sand.

Starting with Caleb's pin change in October, things started to get a bit harder for us all. Caleb wasn't feeling so good, PT was very difficult as Caleb was very tight the last few weeks of turning, the kids all got very sick, with meningitus, no less! But we have made it through. Thank God, I truly feel that the hard part is over.

Footprints in the Sand One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,

other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed

that during the low periods of my life,

when I was suffering from

anguish, sorrow or defeat,

I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord,

that if I followed you,

you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during

the most trying periods of my life

there have only been one

set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most,

you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The times when you have

seen only one set of footprints,

is when I carried you."

Mary Stevenson