Numbers

So, I have this page in my planner that has 49 phone numbers on it. The essential, unmemorized, phone numbers. You know, like your best friend's second cell phone. 7 are for babysitters, 5 are blank - I meant to look them up and write them down, but never got to it - I'm in trouble if any of my sisters'-in-law numbers clear from caller ID. Most are cell phone numbers, and 14 are medical numbers - only 4 of those are for me. (dentist, eyes, GP, and dermatologist - in case you were wondering.) 10 are Abby's doctor's, therapists, clinics. . . you name it. And that's not even all of them. I have another folder that is just my notes on Abby's medical journey - you might call it my "case manager" file. In it I have a paper clip holding business cards. Probably at least 4 more numbers that aren't on the list.

The other day I had to make a couple check-up appointments for Abby, and I couldn't remember where to find the numbers. I went to the file and sorted through the business cards, but didn't have the numbers I needed. I had to think, hard, about where I had written down the numbers for last year's doctors. When I found them, it was like, "Duh, I've only used this list 200 times." And then I realized, "But I haven't needed this list lately." And then it dawned on me, "Abby's life is changing, and so is mine."

As the critical medical needs of her birth defects fade into the distance behind us, I still have moments of being surprised at where we are. And where we've been. She'll be three in September. And those have been three very short, yet also long, years. I can hardly believe the scope and weight of the journey we've been on, and yet the "normal life" feel it all has. 

Not sure I can "land" my thought tonight. . . just feeling a bit nostalgic. I think I may do something I've been thinking about for awhile. I've been wanting to post some old e-mails from the crisis moments of the last couple years - to share with you where we've been. Having started this blog as her medical journey is waning - I feel like reminiscing, and documenting, a great story.

For those of you who read all these e-mails the first time, I hope you enjoy remembering as much as I do. And for those of you who are new to our life - just know that I share them as a testimony to God's amazing grace and strength.

Jen :)