Christmas Blessings - Home for the Holidays

I've always loved the Perry Como version of Home For the Holidays.  This year the song was an especial favorite because we very nearly spent the holiday weekend in the hospital.  Our clinic visit last Thursday showed that not only did Donald have an ear infection, but his bloodwork showed that he was severely neutropenic- his body was not able to fight an infection.   I've spent the last few days with a thermometer in my pocket, checking his temp every 1 or 2 hours.  If we hit the magic number of 100 for more than an hour , then we needed to alert the oncologist on call for instructions and a trip to the ER.

This is Donald's first virus since being diagnosed.  I was pretty upset and stressed because I had grand plans for a peaceful Christmas for all of my children.  I was so ready to curl up in a ball and cry!

My first blessing was that Holy Spirit truly fulfilled his role as Comforter.   My distress was replaced with a quiet, reassuring peace.  God loves my child more than I do and wants the very best for him.  Once I moved my fears aside and remembered to trust in God, I felt a thousand times better.

My second blessing was that my husband gave me the best pep-talk ever.  He reminded me that I was not going through this experience alone and that we had each other for help and support.  He said some of the kindest words to me in our 18 years of marriage.  Do I ever love that man!

The third blessing was that although we hit a temp of 100, it did not last more 30 minutes.  We have been home all weekend to enjoy the holidays together as a family.  What a memorable Christmas.  God is Faithful.