Taking things for granted

My mind has been spinning the past few days with so much going on.  Emotions are everywhere.  Of course you read about Christian and losing his battle on Monday.  Then we received news yesterday that Korah, the little 13 month old that was waiting for a heart transplant (and that we blogged about here), had lost her battle on Tuesday. We were shocked as when we left Korah about a week and a half ago, she looked great.  She was on the floor playing and having nurses read books to her and nodding her head at everyone.  I am not exactly sure what happened but it is just extremely sad.  I honestly can't even figure out how her parents are dealing with it.  Please keep the Darak family in your thoughts and prayers. 

Claire had a cardiology check up yesterday and the doctor said everything looked pretty good.  Of course, she still has some narrowing of her artery below the valve and her valve leaks.  These are things that can stay this way for a long time or could change and have to have something done.  Usually the valve thing is what has to be repaired in her late teens or early twenties.  This is what is causing the murmur that Claire still has.  The cardiologist did say that Claire's heart surgeon did an excellent job for Claire's case.  Perfect repair for her - not too aggressive, but not to passive.  He doesn't want to see her back for another 3 months!  That's progress! 

We happened to run into Claire's liver surgeon on the way out.  Claire gave her lots of smiles!  We don't see her again until 3 months too, so that is good. 

So as we are so happy that Claire is starting to get good reports at her doctor visits, we are just devastated at the losses that these other heart families have experienced this week.  It has really made me take a step back and realize that I am SO happy that I have a baby that keeps me up all hours of the night.  I don't care if I ever sleep again, as long as I have Claire.  If the laundry piles up on the couch and the recliner (as it is now!) then it will just have to wait.  I am rocking our baby a few minutes longer each night.  If the dishes pile up in the sink, they will just have to sit there.  I am reading a book to Claire.  If I don't make it to every event that we are invited too, people will just have to understand.  I am too busy singing (way out of tune) "Jesus Loves Me" to Claire. 

Sometimes we are all guilty of taking things for granted.  I am totally guilty of it.  I know since we found out about all of Claire's conditions while pregnant that I had always taken for granted that we would have healthy children.  Why wouldn't we?  But when you stop and think about it, it's amazing that there are as many healthy children out there as there is the way every little organ and body part has to form.  And then when I start feeling sorry for myself or Claire for having to go through what she has been through, I stop and think about Christian and Korah and realize that Claire has it really good!   We shouldn't complain at all. 

I have learned to treat Claire as the ultimate gift from God.  And one day when I meet my maker, He will want to know what I did with that gift.  I want to be able to show him that this gift meant more to me than anything else in the entire world because it came from Him.  I mean - how else would you treat something that God gave specifically to you?  I would think with the most extreme care and love possible.  God chose Trent and I to be Claire's parents and it's such an honor.  I didn't realize He had that much faith in me!  She is truly a miracle and a blessing to so many.  So are everyone else's children.  God thinks long and hard before giving gifts just like we do for Christmas or a birthday party.  And think about how you feel when you give someone the perfect gift - one you specifically chose just for them. 

So take time to stop and smell the roses.  Be appreciative of your life and your gifts.  Don't take things for granted - even the small things.  You can't turn back time and sometimes time is the best gift you can give to your children.  You never know when you won't be able to just pick them up and squeeze them and tell them how much you love them. 

So by special request, here are a few pictures of our gift that I took yesterday.  Note I lugged out the nice camera to take good quality pictures of Claire today.  I am not taking for granted that I can do it some other day when I already have the camera out for something else.  I am doing it now. 

Love,

The Scott Family