I forgot.
Navigating
through the traffic to get there, circling the lot for a parking spot, moving
from room to room for her to have tests run, back to the clinic to wait for the
doctor, and not once did I remember the importance of the day.
Dr.
Yu entered the room, smiled and said, “Elise, this is the last time I get to
see you at Children’s.”
Then
I remembered. The hospital services children from birth through 21 years of age.
Elise’s 22nd birthday brings a halt to the excellent care she has
received at that facility.
Over
the past 11 years, Children’s Hospital has been the launching pad for many
pleas for help. Those prayers haven’t been limited to concerns about Elise, but
for fellow patients, children being wheeled down the hallways, and parents
wishing for good test results. I can’t walk through that place without my heart
being tugged in many different directions.
After
our visit with Dr. Yu, there was one more scan for Elise to get. We waited the
few minutes it took for her to be called in, and as soon as the scan was
completed we bolted for the door.
Our
feet had barely touched the parking lot pavement when the wail of an
approaching ambulance caught our attention. It passed us on its way to the
Emergency Room. Just that quickly I was back in time 11 years ago when I rode
in an ambulance with Elise on that same route. The memory of that experience
raced through my mind as I thought, our journey has ended, but someone else’s
is just beginning. And there, right there behind Children’s Hospital, I thanked
God for my child and prayed for the one now arriving.
In
2 Corinthians 1:3,4 Paul offers praise to God, “who comforts us in all our
troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we
ourselves have received from God.” I vividly
remember the many people God used to provide strength and encouragement to us
during our time at Children’s. I hope I never forget.
Ronny may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com
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