Home for the Holidays?

Not yet.

Open-heart surgery, stomach-eating bacteria, sinus surgery, profound hearing loss, coloboma in both eyes, six blood transfusions, having to feed through a feeding tube attached directly to her stomach, and withdrawal from pain meds. She’s made it through all of that, but we are still in the hospital. So why do we get to spend Thanksgiving in the hospital? Because Audrey has acid reflux and the doctors want to keep her here for monitoring. Acid reflux? Are you kidding me? At some point during our stay, my little girl apparently morphed into a middle-aged man who just ate a plate of enchiladas. I kindly informed the doctor that we have plenty of Tums at home. I guess he doesn’t believe me because we are still here.

So, I get to spend Thanksgiving in a hospital for the second time in my life. Three years ago, it was to say goodbye to Dad for the last time. But I’m still thankful. Last time we left the hospital during the holidays, it was to bring Dad home for the last time. This year, it will be to bring Audrey home for the first time.

No matter how bad things get, if you are looking for something to be thankful for, you really don’t have to look very hard.