Swinging

The past few weeks have been full of happiness. Maya and Lincoln have been wonderful. Maya has had more energy and spunk than I have seen in…well years! Between work days, the kids and I have spent time at the Lake and at the besties’ house with Aunty Megan and Liam the Great. We have had visitors and fun days with the Bapa’s and celebrations of the Grandma’s (both) birthdays. We have had ice cream and farmer’s market trips and even a day at the 3rd street splash pad. Aside from some necessary reminders, the occasional stress triggers (oh and Maya’s first sting by a wasp!), the last handful of weeks have looked very “normal”. It has been amazing.

Last week we finally put Lincoln in school. He is now officially a WNC Bumble Bee and spends a few days a week with Miss Sally and friends. His school is right on the WNC campus so daddy gets to pop his head in and check on him from time to time (just like he did when Maya was there). Linco has been great. He didn’t cry the first 2 drop offs but only said “Maya and Mommy left” when Scott asked how school was. Maya loved going to the school. She found her classroom right away and well…mommy had a little harder of a time. 

I hadn’t really prepared myself for the possibility of an intense emotional reaction. I prepared myself when we returned to the doctor’s office where she was diagnosed. I was very prepared when we returned to Oakland Children’s Hospital. I knew those places were going to bring up some memories. I truly had no idea that The Rocket’s Room would trigger  (what I can only imagine was..) an anxiety attack? I walked down the hall thinking “wow, I can’t believe Linco is finally in school”. We got to the end of the hallway where Maya’s old room was…I saw the hooks where we used to hang her jacket outside the room and sign that read “please wash your hands when you enter”. Right then I felt a little off…mostly in my belly. Maya said “this is my room right mommy?” as she opened the door. I said yes and just then felt a wave of sickness come over my body. It was as if I was getting sea sick and I gagged. I almost threw up right there in the hall way. I had to hold down my breakfast and then I started to shake. My knees almost broke beneath me but I kept up some how. Then the crying started. I couldn’t get myself to stop crying or shaking. I wanted to curl up in fetal position but we all know….that is not an option. I couldn’t keep looking in the room because all I saw was the ghost of a little girl…more pale than I ever want to see a child. Breathing heavily with red puffy eyes. And I saw Miss Chelsea’s face filled with fear as she said “her heart is beating so fast, Sara.” I knew she was sick. I had seen her getting more pale – I especially noticed it when I watched her in a recent ballet class but…this was the moment. The very moment I knew my baby girl was sick. Like really sick. That moment when she opened that door took me back to 18 months ago when I was more scared than I have ever been in my life.

Well anyways, after a few embarrassing moments of teachers telling me “Lincoln will be fine” and Maya asking me “why are you crying….again mommy”. I pulled it together to get through the rest of the drop off and headed out to lunch with Maya. It ended up being fine but I do hesitate to look down to The Rocket’s room from now on.

After a few days of school Lincoln has much more to say about it. It has been fun to see how the two of them (Maya and Lincoln) interact when he gets home. Whether Lincoln’s return is at noon time or after work, the two of them fall into play time without missing a beat. They have lots to say to each other and between the pretend play and the wrestling, they tell each other how their day has been. It is such a treat to watch. They typically spend their days loving each other any ways but it is still nice to see how they can get even closer. Makes me miss my brother that much more.

Lincoln has come home with stories and giggles. He also has come home with what we think is as cold. Hopefully he is just picking up new germs. So far no fever. Fingers crossed this is just something he’s gotta build immunity to and that Maya has some memory cells left to get through this without a trip to the lovely 5 star hotel complete with IV antibiotics. But we knew the risks.

We are hoping that Maya will be cleared for school soon too. She asks about the park all the time and it hurts my heart that she can’t go. I want to see my kids swing together again.

Today was a special day…mostly because Maya got to swing for the first time in 18 months. A sweet friend sponsored a CSA basket from Great Basin for us this summer (thank you again Peggy!). The pick up site is at a very wonderful (and nostalgic) house by our home and today Maya got to go with me to pick up our produce. The family we met today was wonderful and kind. The Aloha Spirit was palpable the moment Michelle opened the gate for us. The yard is beautiful and their porch has a swing. With misters! (it was like a million degrees this week so the misters were very welcome). Michelle and Ed fell in love with Maya (and visa versa). It was sweet. Well…turns out they have a tree swing on the side of the house. Michelle took Maya to swing and I once again believed in magic.

Her face was pure magic. No giggles right away but the look she gave me was priceless. Michelle pushed Maya and I watched her swing back and forth and back and forth. It was soothing to her and grounding to me. I think if we all did a little more swinging, the world would be a better place.

Thank you all for everything you do. Thank you for the love, the food, the prayers. The constant reminder that we are not alone. Thank you for listening still. Thank you for the cards. The money. The text messages telling us you are thinking of us. The gifts. Thank you for the magic.

Happy swinging. 

Love is Life.

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