Tender Mercies, or Happiness Is...

We're playing the waiting game.  Aaron is second case for heart cath today, but the patient in front of him may need some extra time.  So sometime between 10 a.m. (now) and 10 p.m. he should be taken back.  Yeah, hoping it's not quite 10 p.m.  ENT did come yesterday to scope him and the good news is that his airway looks wonderful.  That's the bad news, too.  There's nothing that can be fixed in there to help him out.

Years ago, we took the kids to see "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" that the local youth theater group was doing.  The closing number was "Happiness Is..."  What made this performance particularly poignant was knowing that a  member of their group, in fact the lead in a previous season's "Annie," had lost her battle with leukemia just that morning.  Watching these kids sing, some of them through tears, about the simple little joys that life brings is a memory I'll never forget.

So here's a partial list (I know I'm missing some) of the simple joys that I've experienced over the last few days.  And things being what they are right now, many of them have brought tears to my eyes as well as a smile to my face.  I am so touched by the goodness of life.

Happiness is...

• My parent bed made up and folded down when we got to his room at 2:30 a.m.
• Friends in the hospital with their own children, both those I've known for a while and those I'm just meeting who "get it" (including crazy hospital humor) and give strength.
• One of his former nurses who loves him almost as much as we  do stopping by for a visit.
• A friend who has lost her own baby coming for a long chat and a foot/hand rub.
• Really yummy lemon bars, I mean, REALLY.  They just hit the spot.
• A job that I can do from wherever I am and lets me focus and concentrate on something else for a little while.
• A really cute builder bear that hung outside Aaron's window, a touch of whimsy up here.
• The Ronald McDonald room where I can make a couple scrambled eggs, just the way I like them.
• Nurses who've had him in the hospital before just stopping in to see how we're doing on their breaks.
• Smiles and playtime with Aaron, even if it's not for very long.
• Singing songs to him.  I couldn't sing to him for the longest time after he was born.  I'd start crying.  Now I can, most of the time.
• Night shift nurse sharing ice cream and brownies because she's being honored for five years with the hospital.
• Messages and prayers, from literally around the world for peace and healing.  Facebook was hard yesterday, in a way, but oh so comforting, too, as I read prayers and good wishes and thoughts for healing and peace and comfort.  Every time I looked, I found myself overwhelmed by the love from people whose lives have been touched by Aaron.

I know there are more.  The problem with not writing something down right away is that we tend to forget.  I don't want to forget this.  It's such a reminder of Heavenly Father's love for me, and how He often uses us to reach out to others.  We are so blessed.  

The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

Psalm 145:9

Happiness is finding a pencil.

Pizza with sausage.

Telling the time.

Happiness is learning to whistle.

Tying your shoe for the very first time.

Happiness is playing the drum in your own school band.

And happiness is walking hand in hand.

Happiness is two kinds of ice cream.

Knowing a secret.

Climbing a tree.

Happiness is five different crayons.

Catching a firefly.

Setting him free.

Happiness is being alone every now and then.

And happiness is coming home again.

Happiness is morning and evening,

Daytime and night time too.

For happiness is anyone and anything at all

That’s loved by you.

Happiness is having a sister.

Sharing a sandwich.

Getting along.

Happiness is singing together when day is through,

And happiness is those who sing with you.

Happiness is morning and evening,

Daytime and nighttime too.

For happiness is anyone and anything at all

That’s loved by you.

Click here to hear it on youtube.