Running through the rain

My good friend and mentor, Dr. Andrea Shields, sent this to me after Sara's death.

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have
been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of
innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over
the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no
time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and
just inside the door of the Target.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up
their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in
the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of
the world. Memories of running, splashing, so carefree as a child came
pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were
all caught in 'Mom let's run through the rain,' she said.
'What?' Mom asked.

'Let's run through the rain!' She repeated.

'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated: 'Mom, let's
run through the rain,'

'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mom said.

'No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning,' the young
girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?

'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer,
you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through
anything!'

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear
anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in
the next few minutes.
Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some
would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even
ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young
child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it
will bloom into faith.

'Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD
let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing,' Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as
they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held
their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked.
But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children
all the way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they
can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no
one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to
make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To
everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.

I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.

Getting Started

I have decided I need to join the 21st century and learn to blog.

My wonderful friend, Jen Mortensen, is a terrific blogger, and I see how her thoughts and pictures will serve as a family log. I'm hoping that I, too, can create a collection of stories, events, pictures and thoughts that we can use to record our family history.

Over the past three weeks, we have had sick kids! H1N1 has been circling around our house like a dark cloud. I think Caroline had it first, missing a week of school, followed by Tyler, then Zac, then Caroline again and Matt somewhere in between. Finally, after about two weeks, when Anna and I were the only ones who had remained healthy, Anna succumbed during my week off work. What fun taking care of a sick one year old all week! But I was grateful to be home, because I really do hate missing cuddles when the little ones are sick. Fingers crossed, I think we might all be better now.

On a personal note, I recently experienced my most difficult time in my professional life. Although I've only been an OB/Gyn for three years, I have struggled with patients through significant loss, but none have affected me the way Sara has. Sara was a vibrant, generous, loving young woman who instantly made you smile. I was lucky enough to have taken care of her during her difficult pregnancy and thrilled to celebrate the birth of her beautiful baby girl, Chloe. After fighting breast cancer, overcoming chemotherapy and surviving her complicated pregnancy and delivery, Sara passed away just two weeks after her delivery. Sara, Brady and Chloe have made me a better physician. I don't have the heart birthmark that Chloe was blessed with, but I do carry Sara in my heart.

If you are interested, their blog is: http://bandssullivan.blogspot.com/