My Mommy's Sick Today....A Children's Story

I had a few minutes after my last doctor's appointment and as I waited for Jason to get me I just felt so inspired to write this little story about what my kids might be going through. When I told Jason he said, "Who does that? They have 5 minutes and just write a story like that?" Well, it isn't me. They are God's words, I just feel like I have to get them down on paper as fast as I possibly can. In this case I was putting it in my iPhone as fast as I could.

I have thought about writing a children's book for a long time. Who knows, maybe this will lead to something in the future and God is just getting me warmed up. Anyway, here it is.

My Mommy's Sick Today

My mommy is sick today.
Not like tummy sick or cough sick.
She is a different kind of sick.

My daddy told me she has what they call cancer.
I don't understand everything they talk about
and at first I was very afraid.
But my mommy told me that everything was going to be okay.

"Don't be afraid," my mommy told me.
"I will be sick for a while but the Lord will protect me and keep me safe."
She went on to say, "By your next birthday Mommy will be okay."

At night when I lay there and try to sleep-
I ask God to make my birthday come very fast.
Not so I can get presents like I normally want,
bu so my mommy will be all better again.

My daddy told me that my mommy has to go through something called chemotherapy.
This is where they give my mommy medicine to make her better.
She gets very tired for a while and sleeps a lot.
But after a while she starts to feel better again.

When she is sleeping I tip toe into her room.
I make sure she is okay.
Sometimes she is awake and I sit with her on the bed.
Sometimes she even reads me a book or just lay there and snuggle.
Those are my favorite times.

I wish my mommy wasn't so sick.
But just like when I am sick and she takes care of me-
I am going to take care of her.

Every day I make sure I say my prayers.
God, please take care of my mommy and make her okay.
And if it's not too much to ask - make her cancer go away.

Superheros For Breakfast

I feel blessed multiple times a day to have children but not just any children. My children - hand picked by God to be apart of our family - each of them so uniquely made to complete us. Their personalities shining through and I see little glimpses of the men my boys will grow up to be and I know my baby girl will reveal her personality more and more each day as well.

My oldest, the analyst, always thinking, pondering, and questioning - always two steps ahead of me, if not more. He has such a deep understanding of God and His affect not only on his own life but in this world as well and yet he is still so young. I am amazed and grateful all at the same time. Adversity is something this child knows well and yet he always presses on. I have learned so much from him. Yes, a mother learning from her son.

My middle son is my steadfast warrior with such a gentle spirit. His personality is most like his dad's. A quiet observer but there in a second to help someone in need. The protector of all who need him but especially babies and animals.

My youngest, the smallest of the three brothers, but full of an energy that just doesn't quit. Always pressing on to push his little body to keep up with his brothers. He continually adds his own personal flair to each adventure and each thing is truly an adventure to this little boy.

My baby girl - the princess. Already realizing that she has three extremely capable entertainers that will surely provide their protective skills to her at every step. Already filled with a femininity, a gentleness, and a delicate touch. Always willing to lean in for a snuggle showing her love and affection in her own special way.

These are my children. My gifts from God. 

This morning my youngest son was up early as he is every morning. As soon as the sun peaks through his curtains his little body is alerted that it is time to start a new day - a new adventure, and everyday is an adventure. We travel to far off lands to slay dragons, we build the Eiffel Tower in our living room and that is all before breakfast. It takes a lot to keep this little man busy and I understand why God made him the third son in this family. If he didn't have two ahead of him life would have been thoroughly boring.

Anyway, we paused for breakfast this morning, because that is another thing this child can do....He can eat. Not even 30 pounds yet he often consumes more than his brothers combined. Pancakes are a delicacy to this young one and he actually held the record number of pancakes eaten for the longest time in the Gressman household when one morning he effortlessly consumed 9 of them. This, brought a great deal of shame to his oldest brother until he mustard up the courage one morning to consume 11 of them deliberately reclaiming the record from his 3 year old brother. The 3 year old was oblivious as he was already on to his next adventure.

So we are having breakfast this morning and one of the things that just makes me laugh about this little boy is how serious he is when he talks about all his adventures. We were sitting there and he is going on and on about superheros.  He is telling me how high they can jump and the things they can push on their belts. He is explaining how they can protect you - all with the most serious face ever. I never knew before I became a mom that I would have conversations about superheros over breakfast. This adds a whole new pressure to motherhood. What if I mess up the conversation? What if I get the wrong superhero with the wrong set of superhero powers? Well, just like we have taught our children about God and how forgiving He is to us, my boys are graciously forgiving to me. They may give me a funny look or say, "No mom! Batman is the one that can do that," and then they move on to the next superhero topic of conversation. They never hold this over my head to use at later times, bringing it up a year for now saying something like, "Oh yeah, well I would have been able to have true happiness in life if you would have known your superheros better." I know this sounds silly but how often do we do this to others in our life - holding silly things against them for years to come.

I have to ask myself, is this what God had in mind when He talked about a child-like faith? Is there such a things as a child-like forgiveness? Don't children seem to be far more forgiving than we adults are sometimes? So, as we concluded our superhero conversation over breakfast I realized that yet again God taught me something else through my children and for that I am so grateful.

³ People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:13-15

Through a Child's Eyes.......by Cale

I asked my 11 year old son to write a blog of his own today about how he has felt during this situation. Here are his words....

The news came one afternoon when I was at my great-grandma's house when my mom and dad appeared at the door. I heard that she had cancer and I was in tears. [Later] when they told me she had Hodgkin's and that it could be cured I had hope that she would be okay. It is because of God that she is going to be okay. I still pray for her but I have hope.

-Cale

It makes tears come to your eyes doesn't it. I am so proud of my son and I think he is a future writer in the making, don't you?

Love him.

Another wonderful photo by Jess Pollard. 

If you want to check out more of Jess' work you can check out her web site at http://www.jesspollardphotography.com/