Refocusing

Dear Maddie,

Can you believe I haven't seen you in 2 days?! I know, what the heck? Well, I plan to fix that soon! :O) I was so thrilled to be able to visit you during the day on Monday. So, apparently your Aunt Beth was having a brain fart (yes, I know brains don't actually fart, it's just a saying) and forgot to take her medicine on Monday morning and didn't remember until she was at work. Well, I was feeling a little funny and decided to see my patient in the morning and then leave to go home and take my "feel all better candies" (don't you like that better than calling it medicine?) Well, my little mistake meant that I had the rest of the day off, so of course I made a trip to see you! We had a nice time, you told me lots of things and tried to steal my watch! You and your sister, always wanting to take watches! :O)

Well Maddie, today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. As I was at Mass this evening, my thoughts and prayers of course turned to you, Mommy, Daddy, and Josie. The priest talked about how Lent is a time to put life in perspective and focus on what really matters. Well sweetie, you have shown us again, just how much love and family really matter. Thanks for bringing our focus back on the important things. I know that you are facing a lengthy journey of treatment beginning this week. You will come out of this whole thing so much stronger, you are such a fighter! I've been saying some very special prayers for you, and will continue to do so every single day, you can bet on it! This wasn't one of the readings at church today, but I was reminded of it recently and it made me think of you:

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope.

When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you.

When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart,

you will find me with you, says the LORD, and I will change your lot; I will gather you together from all the nations and all the places to which I have banished you, says the LORD, and bring you back to the place from which I have exiled you. - Jeremiah 29:11-14

Miss Maddie, God has big plans for you. This is just a stop along the way. We don't necessarily understand it, but we trust that everything will be just fine and you will be healthy and strong in no time. In the meantime, We pray. We play. We laugh. Sometimes we cry. But most of all, we trust in God. And maybe, just maybe, I'll forget to take my "feel all better candies" again and have to come play hookie with you! I would love that, very much!!

I love you so very, very much!

Love and kisses,
Aunt Beth