When we made our last visit to Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Makenna and I made a stop we've never made before. We were really early for her appointment and Dave was filling out paperwork while I walked around the hospital with Makenna. We found our way to the Chapel. Shriner's doesn't have a chapel. And I felt drawn... I said to her, "Let's go in and say a little prayer". She followed along, skipping and singing. I urged her to be quiet and let mommy say a quiet prayer. I asked her if she had something she'd like to pray for. She whispered, "that we could talk loud... and laugh". I shook my head and closed my eyes. I realized in that moment, that the things I prayed for along this journey have changed.
I used to pray that it would all go away. That Makenna would be somehow magically cured. That her spine would miraculously straighten and never sway again. That it was all a bad dream - or a mistake.
And I spend a long time being angry, and stuck at WHY?
But now, in the quiet of the chapel...all I prayed for was strength. God grant me the strength to handle whatever comes our way. Help me to be the rock Makenna needs. Whatever the doctor says... give me the strength to hear it. And grant Makenna the disposition she needs to flourish in her life. Help her to accept what lies ahead for her; whatever that may be.
I used to pray for change. Now I pray for strength.
I used to pray that it would all go away. That Makenna would be somehow magically cured. That her spine would miraculously straighten and never sway again. That it was all a bad dream - or a mistake.
And I spend a long time being angry, and stuck at WHY?
But now, in the quiet of the chapel...all I prayed for was strength. God grant me the strength to handle whatever comes our way. Help me to be the rock Makenna needs. Whatever the doctor says... give me the strength to hear it. And grant Makenna the disposition she needs to flourish in her life. Help her to accept what lies ahead for her; whatever that may be.
I used to pray for change. Now I pray for strength.