Lily

Each year, we reflect on the things we are most thankful for as we celebrate Thanksgiving Day.  This year was no different – we all have so many things to be thankful for.  We live in a country where we enjoy the ability to work, worship and enjoy life.  The majority of us have access to good housing, clean water and plenty of delicious food.   However, our family had a reason to be even more grateful for our good fortune this year.

            My niece gave birth to a little girl three weeks ago.  Because her doctors had found that she had a major heart defect prior to her birth, Lily was born in Winnipeg where she could be close to specialists.  At only four days old, she was flown from Winnipeg to Edmonton’s Stollery Children’s Hospital where she underwent open heart surgery.  It was a difficult and lonely vigil for her Mom and Dad who were with her throughout her hospital stay.  It is gruelling to watch your child lay in a hospital crib and is even more difficult if you are far from home and without family close by to lend support.  Never far from our thoughts throughout that week, our family hoped for a quick recovery and prayed that her parents would be given the strength they needed to see this through.

            Lily proved to be a fighter.  Her doctors ordered sedatives for her so that she would remain sleeping during the crucial days immediately after her surgery, however Lily did not want to sleep.  She fought the effects of the drugs and was awake a great deal of the time.  She is a fighter and her true spirit showed through.  With youth and determination on her side, she began the process of healing.  Each day she became stronger. 

            Last week, she and her parents were flown back to Winnipeg where Lily will continue to recover in the hospital there until she is ready to go home.  So it was that our family enjoyed a special Thanksgiving Day knowing that our little girl is mending and will soon be home with her parents and big brother.  Sometimes the things you are the most grateful for are not the material things we work so hard for, or the items we buy for entertainment or relaxation.  Sometimes the life of a little girl placed in the hands of a medical community is the greatest gift of all and the one we are the most grateful for. 

            I hope your Thanksgiving week-end was perfect and that those you love were close by and safe.  Knowing that your loved ones are safe and well taken care of . . . it's a good thing!