Angels gather here..

Angels gather here...

I have read versions of this saying over the years..but I didn't ever give it much though..just wrote it off as a cliche phrase etched in wood on some one's country home wall. But, then, as I walked past the room of the little girl next door..a little baby named Quinn, who is just one of the kids who are fighting for their lives here on the pediatric bone marrow transplant clinic, I read those words in such a different way.

On her door, there is a pink and purple construction paper sign that says  "Angels gather here.."  And those words have pierced my heart like never before. I feel like we are in a sacred place. A place where families sit alongside the bed of their very ill child. A place where families cling to hope and fight away their deepest fears. In each bed on this unit,  their are no kids with ear infections, tonsillectomies, or simple overnight procedures being done. These kids are sick. really sick. fighting for their lives..often the transplant is offered as a last resort. For Quinn, who is an infant, the odds are not on her side. But God is.

God is here and is presence is made known through out the halls. Not all families come to this place with a faith that promises that no matter what the outcome, God is still good and loving and kind. Not all families allow themselves feel his presence..to be held in his arms in the midst of their despair. But He is here..and there are no limits to the love He has for his children.

Angels gather here...They are all around the children on this unit. I am so blessed to have a chance to be here in this place. I wish Elijah wasn't back here..I wish I could take away his hurts, but I am know that He is being carried gently by the One who knows what is best for him...and I will rest in His presence here.

Elijah is still hospitalized and it sounds like he will spend several more days here. He is being treated with several antibiotics and the ENT will be consulting today. At this time, we are thinking that they will probably do another sinus surgery to try and help Elijah be able to clear the sinus issues that are persistent. This is just a part of the infection issues that are going on at this point. With all that is going on, Elijah remains happy and smiling for the most part. He just screamed through a dressing change with 4 of us holding him down...but he seems to be recovering okay..making words out of the scrabble letters. Hoping to have enough activities to keep him busy..he is such a sweetheart!