Yeah! Another item to check off the
30 before 30 list! Actually, it's really the first thing that I can officially check off the list. I still
haven't used shampoo, but that can't be marked off until I get to February 23rd. I'm working on my two memorization goals, the blog revamp (bought a domain name!), and I'm working on Aurelia's baby book. But the first signed, sealed, delivered item to check off the list is #29: Meet
Lisa Sorenson and family.
Lisa is one of the moms featured in my ongoing Hydro Mom interviews. She's also one of the few hydro moms who lives on the West Coast. It seems like the vast majority of families that are active in the online support community live on the east side of the country. Well, Lisa and her family live on the east side of Washington State, less than a mile from the house Joey grew up in! And we've tried to meet up before, but it seems like it never works out. This weekend, we made it happen.
It was so nice to spend time with a family that speaks our "language." I feel like most of our friends and family have done an amazing job at becoming conversational in hydrocephalus. But there is something special about talking with someone who has heard all those big words spoken about their child, who knows what it feels like to get that initial, "Somethings wrong." They know the lingo. They've dealt with insurance companies. They go to the same appointments. And they watch as their little lady brings joy and enrichment to their lives. And it is pretty incredible to share in the resolve that we will do whatever we can for these precious little kiddos.
It was also cute to watch Aurelia and Elisabeth play. Aurelia is 15 months and Elisabeth is 4 years old, but they both score at around 6-7 months on the development charts. It was like they saw eye to eye, or periphery vision to periphery vision. They played with toys and had what I can only assume was a conversation about their shared love of pacifiers and playing with toys turned upside down.
We can't wait to spend more time with this lovely family. Hopefully when Joey gets back from Toronto and when Elisabeth is feeling more like her smiley self. We did get one great smile from her, despite a tough recovery from a recent surgery. I hear she's on the mend and feeling much more like herself. And we're thankful to know this sweet family.
4 comments:
I love seeing pictures of when Hydro family meets Hydro family. Especially when it's people I know. Absolutely thrilled for you girls!
I know I surely enjoyed meeting many hydro families. It's nice to sit down and talk to people who understand.
I always say my favorite people to hang out with are other missionary couples. There is just nothing like being around people who "get" your very unique situation in life. So glad that you have found your unique community - even if you have to travel to see them (like we do too!)- and that you have support from people who know exactly what you are going through.
How did I miss this?! What a great post, thank you!! I was so honored to meet you and Aurelia - and I'm just fascinated by your life of adventure! Also, I have to agree, it was so fun to watch our two girls together, they seemed to 'get' one another, didn't they? Anyways, I can't wait to meet up with you again soon :)
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