My folks got here Wednesday, the 18th, just as Samuel was coming down with yet another viral infection. And, while I know things could always be worse, I have had myself a pity party. We should be known as the “Blands of Sick.” In just under 8 weeks, Samuel has had 3 viral infections, vomiting, diarrhea, croup, and flu type B. He had been well exactly 5 days from the flu, when he came down with this latest illness, which, praise the Lord, is not the flu again. He is seeing an immunology specialist on the 25th, and we are praying for answers and the correct treatment for our boy’s weakend immune system. 

So, back to my parents! I took Samuel to the doctor, and Maggie and Scott picked up Mama and Daddy from the Denver airport on Wednesday evening. By Thursday morning Maggie was so sick, as well, with fever and aches. So, I then took her in for a strep and flu test. Both negative- viral, the doctor said. I had not yet gotten my flu shot, so my daddy and I went to Walgreens, and I got mine that afternoon. I was determined not to tempt fate. About 3 hours later, I came down with Samuel’s illness, too! And, because my immune system was already taking on the flu shot, I got even sicker than the kids! OY!  I have to admit I have been impatient with Scott, and I have had my heart on my sleeves. I keep thinking, “Please, Lord! Why can’t we have one, just one, good week? I need this time with my parents. I need to hug my mama and daddy and not worry they will get sick!” 

I wanted to trek into the mountains at Estes Park with them today, but my body was just miserable. I slept most of the day, but I am happy that they got to spend time with Scott, Maggie, and Sam. They watched herds of elk and enjoyed the scenery. 

So, of course, by Friday, Scott was sick, too. He has had it more mildly than the rest of us, but it is spreading fast. And, now I am afraid that my mama is coming down with it, just as my nostrils are allowing me to breathe a little easier. 

But, I have decided to put my big girl panties on and just be thankful that I got to see them. I have missed them so much, and I don’t take this trip they so willingly planned for granted. Not for one second. I appreciate and love them so very much. 

My children have the best Granna and Grandpa in all the land. And there is nothing like a Daddio hug and my mama’s touch, even if they did wear surgical masks and gloves while spraying me with Lysol. Lol. Just kidding!

I am saying prayers that when they are to leave Monday, they will be well enough to fly home. And, I will be looking for Christmas to round the bend, when I can see them again. 

I have been holding onto this precious piece of news for the last few days, as I digested it and praised God for His blessings.  

Samuel said his first word. Oh, to write that sentence seems so very surreal! I am not quite sure that Scott and I believe it, still.  Yet, each time we hear our Samuel vocalize, we are nearly overcome with tears. We don’t want to get our hopes up, but we have an abundance of faith that these will not be Samuel’s only sounds- that one day, he will engage us in amazing conversations! 

At his therapy facility, when his therapist is finished with an instruction or has completed an interaction with Samuel, he or she says, “All done!”  It is said in a sing-song fashion, as he responds beautifully to melodies and music in general. He has been able to hum the tunes to songs that he hears over and over again. It takes a LOT of repetition,  but he has picked up the melodies of 4 songs, so far. 

About 3 weeks ago, when he was in the bath, Scott and I heard him sing-song a 2 syllable rhythm. We laughed and both thought it sounded like, “All gone.” We didn’t really know, because it was just humming at that point. 

But, at the beginning of this week, Samuel was lying in my lap drinking a sippy cup of milk. When he finished, he threw his cup down, held out both hands palms up, cocked his head to the side, and said, “All done!” His interpretion sounds more like, “Aww dumb!” 

Not only did he say those 2 words, but he used them appropriately! We know now that this was the phrase he was trying to verbalize in the bath tub. And, he is saying it at least 10 times a day, now! When he is finished eating- AWW DUMB!  When he is tired of the toy he has- AWW DUMB!  When I am finished changing his diaper-AWW DUMB! 

And, while it takes a lot of echolalia (mimicking) and a long period of time for him to interpret and break it down for himself, he KNOWS these 2 words. He really knows them. 

He says them at school, too! And, all of his therapists are so proud of our boy! 

My prayers are of thanksgiving and praise. My God is so BIG! And, if it takes 3 more days or even another 3 years for other words to come, I am so humbled and filled with gratitude. I have gotten to hear my son’s voice. Thank you, Lord. 

The staccato, contorting thoughts are nearly too many to ferry. The heinous beast is making an appearance, to be sure. I am sometimes aware when it is advancing. But, customarily, its stealth and quick precision capture me with a blind fold that I cannot unbind, relinquishing me into blank obscurity, afraid of what is and what is to come.  

I imagine the kind of darkness on an unlit, rural backroad, in the wee morning hours. Every house  slumbering, every car parked, with  clouds shading the moon and stars into nonexistence.  I am not able to lasso them, in hopes of vanquishing their covering.  Only dawn has the ability to do that. And, dawn takes time. 

So, I will wait for my night to dissolve and for light to quell the beast once more.