A Surprisingly Special Day

I have to admit that I woke up this morning not really wanting to get out of bed.  The day ahead didn't excite me any.  I was just feeling down like we all get every once in a while.  It has been a tough week within our church family and in my own spiritual life as I fight a battle that has crept up on me gradually.  Some days I win and some days I lose.  I haven't felt very well either and I've worked long hours all week.  Just a pity-party kind of day!  Well, the Lord had some surprises for me to help me count my blessings and see what's really important in my life.

I rolled out of bed and almost immediately received a call from my daughter. They wanted us to babysit Maddie while they visited a young friend named Ben.  Ben is 14 and was hit in the temple by a line drive Monday evening while pitching.  In amazing speed, his name was put out everywhere on the internet from Facebook to blogs and through our church and community for prayer for his recovery. He was in very serious condition with a fractured skull and bleeding in his brain.  He was taken quickly to our excellent children's hospital here and was in surgery that evening.  The doctors left him in an induced coma all week for his protection as the swelling in his brain slowly went down.  Finally on Friday, after a very gradual waking-up he was talking and responding and, though he is struggling for words, he is doing well.  Today he recognized my son-in-law and daughter and other dear friends and had everyone around him crying as he showed he was still the same Ben even after such a terrible injury.  Ben is one of the best young men I know coming from one of the best families I know.  His family is dedicated to the Lord and loves Him and His church.  We are so thankful for Ben's life and we know God spared him for great things in the future.

Ben with my newborn grandson just a few weeks ago before the accident

My daughter and son-in-law wanted to visit Ben now that he's out of ICU so we agreed to babysit Maddie.  What a beautiful fall day after all.  That little girl just lights up my life and mood!   We took off  to lunch and to shop.  What fun grandparenting is! haha.  We got Maddie her own cup of  coke at Burger King and she ate fries with ketchup...or rather she sucked off the ketchup and ate a little bit of the fries.  She ate lettuce and bread also which made us feel like we'd provided her with a wonderfully nutritious meal.  Umhmmm.
Then on to shop.  We got to do what we wanted with no bossy, picky parents around.  Got her a fun shirt with a fuzzy cat on it, bought her a little mini-football, basketball, and soccer ball and 2 puzzles.  We loved the privilege of changing a huge blow-out diaper in the front seat of my car!  But most of all, just loved showing that cute redhead off to anybody who'd look our way.  She kept yelling at me to get my attention. I think Grandmommy is pronounced "MEH-NOO" in her language.  She was a happy girl and fell asleep on the way home.  When she got up from her nap we gave her lots of cookies...as many as she wanted....and waited for the parents to come get her. I'm sure they appreciated the coke and cookies in her system.  Fun for us, stinks for them!

Spoiled by her grandparents...just too much fun!

Now we have just seen a wonderful UGA victory (about time), had a nice supper and enjoying this cool evening with the windows open.  I'm ready for a good day at church tomorrow. I pray for a "fresh word from God" as we like to say in church.  I really do look forward to worship. Thanks to the Lord for a day in which I'm reminded to be appreciative of good health and safety for my family and the joy He gives us in our children and grandchildren.  No more pity-party!