Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Children Learn What They Live

As we slowly wean Oscar off the steroid drug he is becoming active. For the first time in 6 weeks today we saw Oscar crawling around, rolling off the lounge and crash landing on his brother. I can’t explain what a magic moment this was. The two of them playing together and laughing after weeks of not being able to connect the way they usually do. Auden was delighted and kept saying, “Mummy, baby happy”, pronouncing it loudly and proudly (a wonderful improvement from, “Mummy, baby crying, baby sick”). They giggled and it was like Oscar had never been sick.

They both seemed so grateful to have each other to interact with again. Auden was very caring and loving, asking Oscar if he was ok and patting his head when they tumbled and crashed into one another. Oscar just laughed and didn’t show a hint of pain, consumed so much by the joy of brother love. They ended the day with their first bath together since Oscar got sick all those weeks ago and it was like a true coming home for all of us as a family.

We are very proud of our little boys. Seeing Oscar today moving and trying to use his aching bones reminded us of his incredible resilience. From very early on in his life I have always said that whatever he came here to do there was nothing that would stop him. Our paediatrician nicknamed him, ‘the can do kid’, because that is his nature. We have every faith in him as a little person with great tenacity to do all he can to fight the disease he has been inflicted with. Every day we see his strong spirit in the way he copes with the medical procedures and other nasty things on this journey to health - and still he laughs, he smiles, he shines. And today it was so precious to see him 'doing' again.

We are also very proud of Auden and his ability to care and love and show empathy in his own unique and clever ways. It hasn’t been an easy time for him and he has been very confused as to why baby won’t play with him, why mummy and daddy have been away so much and why Oscar has been crying all times of the day and night. He has handled it beautifully.

We are very grateful to be so blessed.

Here is a quote from one of the text books the Doctor's gave us to guide us through the journey. You probably already know it but it is a favourite of mine:

Children Learn What They Live
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
He learns to find love in the world.
- Dorothy Law Nolte

2 comments:

  1. A lovely post and sooo lovely to hear you finding joy in the simple 'moments' of family and motherhood - especially in a very tricky time in your journey. The small gifts are in the appreciation and gratitude of LIFE which you have so wonderfully expressed! Yay for you.

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  2. It so lovely to hear you enjoying those special moments.
    Thinking of you
    Ingrid
    xoxox

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