A Lucky Break

Dalton, after he was moved to a regular room, with a worried-looking Parker

This photo was taken one week ago. Parker's best friend, Dalton, fell off a rolled-up practice mat that had been stood on it's end. He hit his head and shoulder and suffered a skull fracture and a severe concussion. Although he did have bleeding in the brain, it stopped on its own and the swelling he suffered was minimal. He really has no idea how lucky he is that he is able to walk and talk and function!

That point was really brought home this week as actress Natasha Richardson fell during a ski lesson, hit her head, and died of her head trauma last night. How quickly these tragedies can occur! How fragile is life!


How lucky we are to still have our D!

A Difficult Week

Sometimes you just have to wonder why difficult life moments all seem to come at once. Maybe it is similar to the fact that once you have a cold and your defenses are low, you tend to pick up every bug that comes around. It just seems that there is an awful lot of trouble swirling around right now. Here's a representation of this week's tough events:

• a good friend's mom is battling for her life, and seems to be losing
• that same friend's sister may have cancer
• my son's friend's little sister died
• my "fourth" son fell and fractured his skull and will have a very quiet spring
• my brother had some polyps removed
• my sister-in-law's cancer is back for the third time
• a good friend found a lump in her breast- hopefully a benign cyst

I guess the old saying of "When it rains, it pours" has been proven right this week. But, I live in Utah where it hardly ever rains or pours, so I am determined to look on the bright side of things.

• Dalton may have to be still, but he's OK and now we will have time to have P,R, and D crank through some merit badges.
• There are worse things than death. It is hard for those left behind, but a sweet release for those who return to their maker.
• Medical science has made dramatic strides and our lives are generally enhanced by the treatments available and the early detection of illnesses.
• Spring is spinging and the crocuses are blooming. The robins are taking over my back yard and the breezes are getting warmer.
• Having the Gospel in my life certainly helps keep things in perspective. I am so grateful about that!

So, despite the week that has been, I am looking forward to the week to come with excitement and anticipation. I hope you are, too.