Adults can learn a thing or two from children if we just take the time to pay attention. Smirker, now 4, has been through a lot over the past year. Just 9 months ago she woke up in the middle of the night with a pain on her right side, pointing repeatedly to the same spot. In most cases, we all would give her a hug and try getting her back in bed putting it off as too much rainbow sherbet before bed or perhaps not wanting to go to school the next day because her BFF wouldn't share the My Little Pony Pinkie Pie Train Set. She will be fine.
But she was persistent and insisted that her mom take her to the doctor...the doctor! You should know, she does not like doctors. That got her parents attention. Several hours later she had an emergency appendectomy. Luckily it had not burst, which truly amazed her experienced surgeon. So much so that he had his interns feel the "red hot chili pepper" before surgery. She came through like a trooper. We dropped everything and flew out the next day to do what we could do to help during the recovery. A week later, we took her back to the surgeon to have the heart shaped bandage on her navel removed. The doctor told her she could help peel it off. Apparently, his approach was a tad too slow for Smirker. She proceeded to rip it off with a big smile. Voila! Can I go home now? We were all astonished at her courage. Not just in taking off the bandage but through the entire healing process. She met fear and pain with such resolve and bravery. I am sure it helped to have lots of loving, caring people around but this petite 3 year old taught me and the rest of us how strong we can be.
Turn the clock ahead 8 months (30 days ago) and it was time for another test for this little one. This was planned, however. She had always had large tonsils and was an epic snorer. She must have some of Napa's genes - sorry, Smirker. So we made a trip to the surgi-center for the procedure. Everything went very well, despite the fire alarm going off during her surgery! Thankfully it was a false alarm. Recovery was slow and although I have not experienced getting my tonsils removed, I knew it was painful and uncomfortable. She did not feel like eating much. Ice cream and popsicles - the "staples" during recovery - were just too cold. She would eat mac n cheese at the drop of a hat but it might as well have been a bowl of glue for all she cared. She wanted to eat but just couldn't. And yet she never complained.
Then something extraordinary took place. I had picked up lunch for all of us. Smirker as usual didn't feel like eating anything but wanted to sit on my lap while I ate my salad. She immediately took my fork and began to feed me, forkful after forkful, until it was all gone. Well...gone may not be the appropriate word. More like - no longer in the bowl. Some actually made it into my mouth (it was very good, I think) but I was virtually surrounded by lettuce, chicken, asian noodles and cheese. She was so proud of herself. And I was proud of her. She didn't think about what she couldn't do but rather making sure that I was taken care of. It was like she was vicariously getting her nourishment by helping me. Maybe, just maybe, she understood what all of us were doing to help her get better and she was returning the favor. I am going with that. In any case, it was wonderful seeing a smile on her face as she forgot about her sore throat for just a few minutes.
It's been a month since her surgery and she is back to her cute, sharp and sassy self. She taught me a lot about her...and about how all of us should face adversity. Thank you, Smirker.
Oh...and no more snoring for Smirker. Love Monster, her sister, is so happy. And her mother is as well, although she did feel compelled to place a mirror under Smirker's mouth at first, just to be sure - but then, you know how Mom's are.
As for Napa and his snoring - I have no plans to get my tonsils out at my age. Sorry, hon!
