Divine Intervention

Isn't it interesting how you just so happen to randomly run into the one person who can say just the right things at just the right time? 
Today Kean had some testing done at the hospital (blood work for his Thyroid and an in-depth hearing screening).  Let's just say I walked out of the hearing screening near tears and a bit depressed.  I know he can hear and I had expected this to be one test we wouldn't need to worry about-- well guess what?  He failed miserably.  His ear drums are not vibrating and he had zip, nada, zero response to the hearing tests and cues.  The Doc thinks he must have a goopy build up of fluid inside his inner ear-- so we will next see a specialist and likely face surgery and tubes.  I know, not a super big deal-- but can I just have one doctor's appointment where they don't find anything wrong????
Anyway, I stopped off at the grocery store on the way home (and somehow between the store and my house, I lost a bag-- grrrr).  While shopping, I ran into a friend, who just so happens to have a 14 year old boy who has Down Syndrome and Autism.  In the crush of shoppers trying to beat the storm due to arrive tomorrow and prepare for Thanksgiving, we stood and talked.  Dana R. told me that when she had her son, the doctors and nurses told her to just survive the first two or three years-- that those years are full of medical appointments, tests and plenty of scares.  And then it gets easier. 
It was exactly what I needed to hear-- that, and plenty of more words of advice and encouragement and empathy.  She's been there, done that and done it with grace and composure and most importantly, she's still sane.  I surely think someone up above placed her in my path.  And for that I am grateful.

 My parents watched the three loud girls so we could have quiet at the hearing test.  They made yummy Thanksgiving sugar cookies with orange and chocolate frosting.  After his long day of being poked and prodded, the girls rewarded Kean with a chunk of a cookie.  I think he thought he was in heaven.