Would that it could be different, but it is not.  Hard, painful, difficult times afford the opportunity to get to know our children in ways that are pretty special.  Case in point is Joel's recent football injury.

Wed. evening he came home from practice having made the down, but in pain from the catch and subsequent fall when tackled from behind.  We went to urgent care checking for broken ribs, and there were none.  Still I wanted to check with our own doc and Joel started feeling pain in his diaphram area when we got home anyway.  No school Thurs. and a trip to the doctors, then to radiology for a CT scan, then admission to ICU for observation for a "fractured " spleen, as Jonas called.  Pretty accurate description, actually.  Like a tomato that gets squished and kind of cracks and leaks.

The blessing that has come out of this, one of a few probably, is watching this fine young man deal with what is surely a disappointing and extremely difficult, painful  situation with grace and humor and even kindness.  He was polite and well spoken with all the hospital personnel he came in contact with, explaining what happened umpteen times clearly and carefully.  He always thanked everyone, joked with most, and never really complained except to ask for pain meds and answer questions about his pain level.  It was a joy to be with him throughout the whole experience, despite the loss of sleep, disruption of life and of course the worry about him! 

The hospital has a program where patients are able to give "kudos" of a sort to hospital staff by filling out a little paper about them.  I noticed these and felt myself that some of the staff kind of deserved one, so I mentioned to Joel, "Gee, the hospital has those little forms to say how you appreciate the staff, I was thinking that maybe a couple of the nurses you've had  would deserve them"  to which he said "Yeah, I was thinking about that too."  So before we left he filled them out for some of the people that had really touched him with special care.  I was impressed that he would even think about it, let alone take the time to do it.

We have had some fun times, looking for ways to make him smile and laugh, like when we went back to the ER Mon. night.  I've had time with him, going through his room, cleaning out stuff and helping him get organized (taking advantage of a captive audience!) and all dusted and vacumed and clothes clean.  Watching him interact with visitors and concerned friends, do schoolwork, even when it is hard to concentrate, and deal with the boredom of no activity except walking around the house .  He is such a great person and I am honored to be his mother and I hope his friend.

Would that he had never been injured, again!  Toe last year, tragedy in Florida and now major injury and loss of this years football season where he was really excelling and doing so well!  But a blessing to see what he is made of, to watch his responses and be so darned proud.