RING THE BELL...December 16, 2011

Today begins and ends with such an amazing feeling...it began with an early morning call and hearing Steven say that “Blake has rung the Bell!”

 

I thought I was ready to hear to hear the glad news.  I thought I was ready to celebrate.  Leading up to this morning, this was yet another of the “waits” we had waited for...we waited for the diagnosis, we waited for the surgery date, we waited for the adjusted times, we waited for pee, we waited for blood counts, we waited to be released from the PICU, we waited to walk, we waited for the draining to stop, we waited for consultations, we waited for protocols, we waited for radiation to begin, we waited to go home, we have come to realize the waiting does not end...and in this season of waiting for the Bell I thought so many things.

In that moment of the call, I realized I was not ready.  I was not ready for the great sense of joy that flooded over my heart.  I was not ready for the feeling that my heart was going to leap out of my chest and jump around for joy.  I was not ready to hear that so many others had also been waiting to ring the bell and celebrate this milestone with us for this little boy that they have never met.  I was not ready to hear of the decisions that have been made to travel along this journey with us.

As the morning stretched into the afternoon and afternoon has become night...I am grateful.  I am grateful to have a community of faith that continues to fight on their knees for Blake.  I am grateful to know that the Father's watch care over Blake has reached to hold Blake in the palm of His hand through every moment of treatment.  I am grateful to know the Father has carried Blake through to this Bell Ringing day of celebration.  I am grateful that what once sounded like such a far off event...eleven difficult treatments...is now a memory book date...marked with not only a star, but with a glorious golden bell.
I know that the journey is not yet complete.  I know there will be moments ahead that will be marked again with emotions we may not yet be prepared to meet.

Today, it is enough to know that the sword can be placed to the side and our little warrior can rest from one set of challenges as he prepares to reach into yet another round of events. 

Today, it is enough to know that whatever tomorrow holds, God is holding our tomorrows. 

Today, it's enough to know...
                                                       ...  the bell has been rung and Blake is smiling :)