Thursdays

Thursdays are a big day at our house.

Why are they such a big day? Because Thursday is Garbage Day.

That's right. We (Amelia and I, but mostly Amelia) wait patiently all week for Thursday to come so we can eat our lunch sitting on the front porch waiting for the garbage truck to roll down the street. It's a clear highlight of the week. The little doll loves watching the garbage truck with it's mechanical arm reaching out to lift our bin, empty its smelly contents into the back of the truck, place the bin back on the street and move on. Then she waves and calls "'Bye Babage truck," until it is well out of sight.

She even had me make up a song for her about the garbage truck. It's to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

I guess the reason I'm writing about this is because today I found out that a good friend and previous mission companion's two-year-old daughter has just been diagnosed with Leukemia. She's in surgery today. I don't know the prognosis.

When I heard the news I gasped. How could a beautiful two-year-old, practically a baby, have to deal with a life threatening disease? How could my friend who is my age be expected to know how to handle having a child with cancer?

It hit really close to home. I have a two-year-old daughter. She is precious. She is happy and active and loves to watch the garbage truck.

I picked her up and held her as tight as I could and wouldn't let her go until she wriggled free saying, "Mama, I have to go tinkles."

My heart is full. Full for my friend and the challenge her family has been given. Full for my daughter and all the little things that make her such a funny, joyful, absolutely essential part of my life.

Good luck to the Briggs family. God bless you.

And in a small way, thank you. For reminding me that my life is bigger than shopping lists, potty training and researching details for our big move. I still get to watch the garbage truck every Thursday with my girl.