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| Ella Sabine Casten--Two Years Old (June 10, 2012) |
The "Happy Birthday" song was sung to Ella numerous times throughout the day. Each time a group of people, or even an individual, serenaded her she watched with curious eyes and a mind that soaked it all in. The day after her birthday was spent listening to her sing "Happy Birthday" to herself.
The highlight of her day was sitting in a chair in a room that was foreign to her. She didn't have any straps holding her, she didn't have any machines plugged into her. She sat surrounded by the people who know her the best; by the one person who knows her intimately~~her mother.
At the end of a long day at the IL FSMA Walk-and-Roll and a fun-filled lunch with Auntie Annie and Uncle Noah, we visited Lindsay at Linden Oaks. The staff there made an exception (under the orders of the doctors) to let our children into the hospital. We cannot thank them enough for the opportunity.
When were escorted into the common area of Lindsay's unit the room was instantly filled with a joy and love that only children can bring. Lindsay's eyes lit up like never before as her children, who unceasingly adore her, went to her in long-awaited embraces. Ella "drove" herself to her mommy; who, without missing a beat, unstrapped her youngest from the machine that held her and brought her to herself...mother and child reunited.
We were escorted to a room where we celebrated Ella's birthday by opening the many presents that were given her throughout the day. Lindsay's face beamed with delight as Ella, Ava, and Henry fell back into the world of mommy. My heart stood still in order to capture the moment and savor the feeling that only Lindsay can elicit in me.
Our time together as a family was short but sweet. Quickly the children fell into their roles that have been established in their short lives thus far...although close, there were no time-outs!
Ella couldn't have asked for a better 2nd birthday. She was surrounded in many ways by so many people who care for her. She "rolled" to help herself and others who share her disease; she enjoyed time with loving people who delighted in her presence; she made a few new friends along the way. And she was able to sit in her mother's lap...a place that was made just for her.
