Avenue 9

Today I took Emily to Children's Hospital for an E.coli follow-up (something we'll be doing for the next decade). I can't drive down Avenue 9 without a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I know I'm headed to a very special and even spiritual place. The first time we drove this road we were in such a panic for Thomas' health. After months of pain and visits to the doctor, we were unexpectedly called and told to go immediately to the hospital with Thomas. Since that first trip in May of 2003 I have driven this road many times. I think sometimes we forget that there can be sacred places on earth other than the Temple. This hospital is such a place for me. I have thought a lot about why it feels this way. It is a place where ALL the staff have been trained to be so helpful to patients and their families; but I think more than that it is a place of yearning. Just as we yearn for our littles ones to be healthy and free of disease and pain, we also yearn for the hand of God in our lives. We especially long for Him in times of sorrow and difficulty. I have met many parents there and have watched stories of courage, endurance and sorrow being lived. I have seen children happily play with toys with tubes and bandages covering their bodies. Yes, sacred things do occur here, most can't be written. When we reach the orange grove we are almost there and I can hear Thomas' pleas from the back seat, "No pokes mommy, no pokes". This time I wanted to stop at the grove and just walk around, I found my own emotions pouring out, "No pokes for mommy either." When I drive past this tree again in the spring, the orange will be orange and we'll be going to Thomas' follow-up. By the way, Emily didn't even remember the hospital.