Nothing Like A Wake-Up Call….

Our family got a HUGE wake-up call last night. The kind that comes out of no where and takes you by complete surprise. The kind that turns lives upside down and makes you hold your babies just a little bit tighter. At about 9 o’clock last night I got a call from my sister telling me that my cousin’s baby had fallen in the pool at my aunt and uncle (his grandparents) house. We immediately woke Noah up and headed to the children’s hospital, which we are so fortunate to have just a few miles from our home. When we got there a lot of my family was already there. (We’re a huge, close family and I love the amazing support that we can offer each other.)  We knew before we got there that he was in ICU and that was all we knew. When we got there we were able to get a few more details and learned that he was stable, but they were waiting 6-12 hours before they could tell if any permanent damage had been done.

The entire situation was just horrible and crazy. You see my cousin was actually in Hawaii on vacation and my uncle was out of town on business so he was home with my aunt. My aunt adores that child. He is her only grandchild and she watches his all of the time.  I can’t even begin to imagine what she must be feeling. She found him after the dog started barking at the back door (which was shut and locked and there is also a gate around the pool) and jumped in and grabbed him. I can barely think about this much less imagine having lived it.  God works in amazing ways, that is for sure. I am SO thankful that they had that dog. He truly saved his life.

I keep trying to imagine what my cousin must have been going through on that plane ride from Hawaii. Those must have been the longest, most agonizing hours of her life. I’m sure it was a feeling of complete helplessness. I pray I never have to know firsthand.

It’s a bitter sort of irony that his first swim class was actually supposed to be this morning. (My aunt and uncle have only lived in that home for about a month.) Billy and I have been talking for weeks about getting Noah in swim classes, which we will now not be putting off.

The amazing news is that he woke up shortly after my his mother got there and immediately said “Momma!” I am sure it is the best sound my cousin has ever heard. He was also counting to 10 in English and Spanish (he’s 2 1/2) and recognized everyone that came into the room. While he is not out of the woods yet things are definitely looking optimistic.

This situation definitely shows that you can NEVER be too careful! We get so placid at times and take so many of life’s blessings for granted. So take note and hold you’re babies a little bit tighter tonight.  I know I will!

*Thank you to everyone for all of the thoughts and prayers*