Back in 2007, when my friend Marcia posted a photograph and told us to find “only the good” in it, I was skeptical. Marcia said:
“The purpose of this exercise is to get people to look at the world in a different way, to acknowledge–if only for the brief time they do this exercise–that there is good in everything and everyone…to briefly change shadow to light.”
I’m not a Pollyanna, but I do believe that optimism can be infectious. I think that the more we practice it the easier it is to achieve it, which is why I started posting “Only The Good” on Fridays. I will admit that finding good on Friday helped me see it on other days as well.
Sometimes, however, we have to look long and hard to find some good. This is one of those times for me. I probably need your help.
I had hoped to expound on the miracle of birth today. I had hoped to show you many pictures of my brand new grand-nephew so everyone could coo over him. All I have is a picture I stole from my niece’s Facebook page. It was taken before all the tubes were attached. It will be awhile before I get to take pictures … or even get to see him. Right now, his own Mommy can’t even touch him or talk to him, because he mustn’t be overstimulated.
Baby Ethan made his debut by Cesarean section on Wednesday … a bit early, because his mother was struggling with low blood pressure. Before his first day was out, this tiny baby got a helicopter ride — he was sent by Care Flight to a neonatal unit at another hospital. His lungs were not fully developed and filled with fluids. Ethan’s blood pressure dropped dangerously, and the doctors have pronounced that he has pulmonary hypertension.
I can imagine the looks on your faces, as you whisper at the computer, “Wait a doggone minute! There isn’t anything good about this! Why in Thunder is Shelly posting this?”
Well … if there is a time for optimism, this is it! I’m going to find the good in this situation, no matter how tiny that good might be:
- Ethan is alive, and he has excellent nurses and doctors caring for him. They have said that, although he’s not out of the woods yet, he has a good chance.
- Although she was released from the hospital too soon, and hasn’t been able to cuddle or kiss her baby, Ethan’s Mommy is doing as well as can be expected.
- Ethan’s Daddy is hanging in there, and hasn’t pulled out his hair yet.
- They have a strong faith that is holding them up right now.
- When Ethan goes to kindergarten, he’s going to be able to one-up all his friends. How many of them got a helicopter ride on their birthday?
If you have any ideas to add to that, feel free to comment. If you sign Mr. Linky, leave a comment, too, please. I don’t remember to go back and check the post.
I hope your weekend is filled with only the good.
Other posts you might enjoy:
- Only The Good Friday: Mmm MMM Good Tomato Soup
- A Darned Good Feed Store. Only the Good Friday.
- Being Good To The Earth. Only The Good Friday.
- Only The Good Friday #11–It’s ALL Good
- Only The Good On Good Friday
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{ 13 comments }
As long as there is life there is hope… Wishing Baby Ethan healing and light and well as his family.
.-= Desert Diva´s last blog ..Protected: Easter =-.
* as well as his family…
.-= Desert Diva´s last blog ..Protected: Easter =-.
Thank you, to both wishes, girlfriend. It wasn’t a good night. Talk is being made of a lung by-pass. Prayers and good thoughts are appreciated.
I’m having a bit of trouble focusing on the good this weekend, thank you for reminding me of what is truly important in life.
I’ll be holding little Ethan and his family close in my heart. Welcome to the world little one, grow strong and well.
.-= Robin from Israel´s last blog ..Another victim of the recession =-.
Hold him really tightly, Robin. God love him.
The love and support of family and friends are the good things I take whenever faced with adversity. Concentrate on those. Ethan will be in our hearts.
.-= Van Sutherland´s last blog ..Field of Poppies =-.
Thank you, Van. From the latest text I got, Ethan needs all the prayers he can get. If there isn’t vast improvement in the next two hours, he will be moved to another hospital for a “last ditch” procedure.
The miracle of birth -even when it brings with it the complications such as this beautiful little guy is experiencing is indeed a good thing. That there are so many things available now through doctors and hospitals makes this an even better thing. And also, if this new life and all his needs brings people together, uniting them in prayer, providing a stronger faith in many, then that’s an excellent thing. Take every bit of joy that can be found in this new life and run with it! He -and his parents too -will be in my heart, in my prayers, that he will have the inner strength needed to come through this medical war he was born into. In peace and with much love to him and his parents and to you too, Shelley as you deal with this situation.
.-= Jeni Hill Ertmer´s last blog ..Change the Date, Please! =-.
Thank you, Jeni. Send the prayers to him and his Momma & Daddy. I’m grieving over it all, but they are the ones who need strength. This is such a frightening time for them.
Happiness and optimism are often relative, but when disaster strikes our little corner of the world it’s difficult to keep a relative focus. Life is oh, so subjective. The need to be able to do something fuels frustration, making it hard to accept the fact that all is not in our hands.
I can’t do better than echo Jeni’s message. Baby Ethan and family are in my prayers as are you.
I am thankful that Ethan is alive and well taken care of! And oh! the joy when those proud parents will bring him home!
The first thing I thought when I saw the picture was how cute he is. So that is good ! He’s alive and good-looking and loved.
.-= Terry Elisabeth´s last blog ..Booking through Thursday : Which End ? =-.
Saying a prayer this morning for baby Ethan, his mom and dad, and all those who love him.
.-= Anne´s last blog ..A Short Break =-.
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