One Year Ago

The autumn sky was a brilliant blue, and the leaves were being kicked up by the wind as she walked towards my car. Her glasses were perched on a reddened nose (thanks to a nasty cold), and the circles under her eyes were remnants from pulling a late-nighter. She walked slower than normal, but more confident than ever. There she is, I thought, and who would have ever dreamed a year ago today she was fighting for her life in PICU at Children's? If you're interested in the story, go back to my archives from last year at this time, and read the miraculous story of TP's recovery from a severe septic infection.

TP and I have a new tradition now - we go out to lunch every Thursday. I pick her up at 1:00 and we spend an hour or so catching up on news at a nearby restaurant. I am so grateful that we live less than a half hour from the university where TP is at - we're close enough so that we can keep in touch, yet far enough away so that she can have independence. Today, her voice was reduced to a whisper due to possible laryngitis - but that didn't stop her from talking about her life as a college student who's finishing up her first quarter. She's doing well academically and socially - and she's learned the art of doing papers while simultaneously handling several IM's all at once and sometimes talking on her cell phone at the same time. Multi-tasking is a useful skill to have as a college student - and a future nurse!

I'm somewhat concerned about the cold - but she'll be home tomorrow for the weekend so I can kind of keep an eye on her. Old habits die hard - I'll always worry about her and her health, I suppose. But I am not worried about this young woman's desire and ability to do well at college. She's proved herself time and time again this quarter that she is a great student, and is willing to do what it takes to be admitted into the nursing program this spring.

All I can say is - I am grateful to God for TP's continued remission. I am grateful that she loves college. I am grateful that I am no longer feeling like there is a void in my life with her departure from the nest - rather, there is a new level to our relationship that could never have been achieved if she was still living at home. Granted, I still miss her like crazy, but I am content in knowing that she is quite able to take care of herself - even when she has a nasty cold.

TP - I know you're reading this - how does homemade chicken noodle soup sound for dinner tomorrow night?! :-)