To Make You Smile

Okay, so today is a day that traditionally makes me melancholy..

Every year, so many people suffer at this time of year, having lost loved ones through the great mystery of death. I guess because it's a time for family and friends and when you lose someone of either "category", their absence is keenly felt as you sit around a table eating a turkey dinner or making toasts at holiday parties.

It sucks, to put it mildly.

In June of 2004, my sister in law was heading home from dropping her little sister off when she was hit head on by a driver trying to pass on a double yellow line. My two year old nephew and not quite five month old nephew were in the car.

She was killed instantly and we had to take my two year old nephew off of life support later that night as all brain activity had ceased. The baby was revived at the scene, as his heart had stopped and remained on life support for the next month with limited brain activity, but there was SOMETHING and we refused to give up on him. In the process of the wreck, his skull had cracked open, which believe it or not was a blessing, as his brain swelled and had somewhere to go.

Now, Levi is almost six years old and truly a living, breathing miracle. He is in Kindergarten and most likely one of the smartest kids I've ever seen (yes, I know I might be a little biased), especially considering the fact that he only has half a brain, literally. While he walks with a limp and his eye sight isn't what it could be, he is so very happy and makes everyone around him feel the same. There's not a child in his school, from grades K-5th that doesn't stop to say hi to him as he navigates his way through the hallways. He can hear a song once and remember the words and the notes.

My mom has been taking care of him since he came home from the hospital all those years ago, and today, on the day that my nephew Lane would've turned eight, I would like to honor her and all the other selfless, loving care givers out there. I salute you.



Please remember that everyone has their cross to bear, and while I'm not a religious person by nature (I curse too much for that) I see a miracle every time Levi comes running at me, in his little hop-skip kind of way and wraps his arms around my neck and tells me how very much he loves me.

And another thing, stop feeling so damn sorry for yourselves and tell those that you care about just how special they are to you.

You never know when life is going to happen.