She's Home!

On Father's Day, one of my best friend's daughters, 6wk old little Clara, was struck in the head by an overthrown softball. It was one of those freak accidents that about 15 things had to happen just right for it to happen, and they all did. The ball had to be thrown just right, the angle had to be just right to fit in a 6" crack between the fence and tent, the person holding her (my sister) had to have her positioned just right, etc. There were so many instances that it could have bounced off of something, or someone, else, but it didn't. It hit Clara.

That started the next 11 days of worry, hope, fear, anxiety, prayers, prayers and more prayers. The entire community and even county (x2) was waiting anxiously every day for an update on Clara's progress. She underwent testing, sedation, seizures, medications and monitors, and 9 days without her mommy and daddy's arms around her. But Clara is a tough little girl and she persevered. She fought and she came through and she's now home.

I'll be honest, when I heard that Clara was coming home yestserday, I started to cry. I also immediately gave Mikayla and Lilly huge hugs and kisses (Alayna was still at summer school) How do you experience something like this, even just through friends, and not want to hold your child closer to you? It's the Momma Bear instinct, or whatever you want to call it. You hear of danger, or heartache, and you cling to your child and try to protect them. You do all you can to keep them safe and healthy and happy.

But unfortunately, that doesn't always work. There are things out there that no one can truly comprehend, things that will happen regardless of what we do to stop or prevent it. That's God's plan. Now I'm not saying that Clara was meant to be hit or that God made it happen, but you all know what I mean. Sometimes there are just things that are completely beyond our control. But, with faith, love and strength, we can all get through anything. Look at little Clara. She's home and she's safe and she's well.

And on that note, I'm going to sign off. Want to know where I'm headed? To the store to pick up lunch and bring it over to Clara and her mommy. I can hardly stand it!