When the Last Has a First

Let’s face it, the third child doesn’t get many “firsts” in a family. But on Friday, our youngest child raced ahead of the others and scored a first for our children–the first one to have surgery.

Oh, they’ve all had their wisdom teeth out, but that was in a dentist’s office so didn’t quite feel the same as watching them wheel your child away from you at the hospital, knowing they would sedate him completely. I’ll admit, given the age of my son (18), I didn’t expect the rush of emotion that overcame me as he disappeared down the hall. But I guess no matter the age, your child is still your child and so you feel–many things.

For our first ever surgery, it really wasn’t a huge deal. One hour to reattach ligament to bone in his thumb. He woke up quite well afterword, too. My only regret? We forgot to bring his glasses, so with his contacts out he couldn’t see anything as we loaded him in the car to go home. That would have driven me crazy!

Anyway, we have now crossed the surgery hurdle with our children. The experience gave me tons more empathy for those walking through surgery with younger children and/or more serious issues. I will pray differently for those situations now. And respond differently as well. While I know that each person feels loved and supported in different way, at least I now know the things that made me smile or laugh or forget for a moment that the clock had only ticked off one minute since the last time I looked, things I can now do for others. And that is the point, really, isn’t it?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves have been comforted by God. –2 Corinthians 1:3-4

P.S. If the Lord brings him to mind, would you pray for my son? He has 6 long weeks in a splint, then a good 6 weeks of physical therapy. He’d like to be back playing the piano ASAP. And we’d all like for him not to miss his final piano recital in late May.