Yesterday, Emily Rapp posted her article entitled Rick Santorum, Meet My Son in which she addressed the issue of prenatal testing and what she would have done had she known her son had Tay Sachs.
I have no doubt whatsoever that Emily loves her son more than life itself. Like Emily, I’ve been through diagnosis day when my hopes and dreams for my child and myself flew right out the window. I’ve watched my child deteriorate right before my eyes. I’ve been there when my child took her last breath and when the coroner put her in a body bag. I’ve stood in front of her casket. I know the awful feeling of driving away from the cemetery and feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.
I am sure that Emily wishes that something, anything would take away this awful disease. I know that her statement – that if she had known, she would have aborted – is rooted in her intense love for her son and her desire to take away his pain.
I believe that life isn’t just about pain and suffering vs. comfort, ease and pleasure. Whether a person lives to be 103 pain-free and productive or just 4 years old with a horrible degenerative disease, he or she has a purpose on this earth. I have no doubt whatsoever that God got GREAT glory out of the life of a little Guatemalan girl with a terrible disease. And I suspect that she accomplished more for God in her life simply by being than I will ever accomplish.
What we went through with Carmen hurt. It was awful. What she went through, whether or not she actually knew what was going on or not, was awful. But, there was a surprising amount of joy mixed in with the sadness. Hope overcame the despair as we learned to trust that God is working on the canvas of our lives to bring Him glory.
As Dr. Pedreira said at Carmen’s funeral,
If a life can be measured by the joy we bring to others…
if a life can be measured by the faith we inspire in those who see us…
if a life can be measured by the hope that only total trust can bring…
then Carmen had a very successful life.
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If you would like to comment on this post or Emily’s post, please do so but I would ask that you remain respectful towards Emily and her thoughts. In the end, she’s a mom with a terminally ill child, just like I was. Thanks.
[This post is the LAST post in this blog series to get to know each other better. Not that we don't want to get to know you better...we do. But, we are running out of ideas of things to ask and have decided to end this series. We'll keep asking questions here and there. Just not in a formal every week on a particular day way. Thanks for all of your participation over the past couple of years!]
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A recent poll found that California is the least popular state in the United States.
Rubbish! I’m calling jealousy. 
We’ve only been here 7 months but we LOVE California. The sunshine, the perfect 72 degree plus or minus 10 degrees weather, the laid back atmosphere, the friendly folks, the year-round fruits/veggies, the access to the beaches and the mountains, etc.
Obviously California has a reputation among non-Californians (land of the fruits and nuts?).
Today’s More About You Monday question is: When you think “California” what do you think? (Say whatever you must…we will not be offended!)
Lauren is finally hive-free and back to her happy self. If I forget, please remind me that Lauren must NEVER EVER EVER take Zithromax again!
Among the 300 pictures Lauren took at Joshua Tree National Park last week, here are a few of our favorites.
Eight year old excited to learn to take pictures + eight year old digital camera + $80 50mm lens = PRICELESS!
This past weekend, Dave, Lauren and the NY Grandparents went to Joshua Tree National Park. Lauren got sick while there so Dave took her to the local urgent care place. The doctor prescribed Zithromax. Fast forward to yesterday…Lauren broke out in a horrid case of itchy hives.
When Lauren was 18 months old, she took Augmentin and ended up with erythema multiforme, a truly horrific rash. This isn’t like that rash but is plenty bad.
We are giving her Benadryl and putting cortisone cream on the most itchy spots. Unfortunately, the itchy spots cover the majority of her body and keep moving around. Yesterday they were mostly concentrated on her torso, back, and legs. This morning more spots appeared on her face and hands and her eyes are swollen.
Poor Lauren! Please pray that she will be comfortable and that the itchy will go away FAST!
No way on earth is Lauren going to be OK with a picture of herself right now, so I’ll post a picture that Lauren took at Joshua Tree. She took 300 pictures and did a GREAT job.
Joshua Tree by Lauren
