Journal entry by Barbara Bradley — Nov 26, 2013

Today marks the 3 year anniversary of Katie’s first brain surgery. It is really hard to believe it’s been 3 years. That was such an impossibly dark, exhausting time for all of us. Thinking back always helps put this time of year into perspective. I saw an e-card on facebook that read, “Only in America do people have an event called Black Friday where they try to maul each other over unnecessary things the day after giving thanks for what they already have.”

Boy, the holidays have really snuck up on me this year. I thought I had another week before Thanksgiving but here we are. I actually heard a girl at the gym say, “You better get to the grocery store. The old ladies are gonna buy up all the eggs and scallions.” Uhh…okay. I don’t even know what that means but consider yourself warned. If you didn’t get what you needed yesterday at the grocery store you are SOL. The old ladies have bought the place out. The kids were still in school today so I spent the day running errands in the cold, miserable rain. I don’t think it got out of the 30’s. My first stop Honey Baked Ham Co. I am not chef enough to make my own Thanksgiving Day spread. Plus, I don’t have it in me to take out an old lady in the egg isle so this works out well.

Happy Thanksgiving all. A day for family, stuffing yourself a bit too much and giving thanks for all your blessings. I shared this on FB but it’s worth sharing again…

I am thankful for my sweet boy Nathan. On Saturday morning Billy was still out of town and the kids were up before me. Nathan had gone into Katie’s room and helped her out of bed. He eased her back into her beanbag and started a movie for her. I was up by this point and got a muffin for Katie. Nathan sat with her and broke up the muffin into bite-sized pieces and kept the dogs at bay so she could eat in peace. With coffee in hand I sat at the table and watched as Katie leaned over and kissed her big brother on the cheek. Just as the tears pooled in my eyes, Katie cackled loudly and grabbed Nathan’s ear pulling with all her might causing him to squeal like a little girl. Sibling love? Well, that was so sweet…. while it lasted.

My point is I always worry what kind of person he will become but it’s obvious already; he already is who he is. Just as I was chosen to be Katie’s mother, he was chosen to be her brother. Yes, he has gone through more than most 8 year olds but it has shaped him with many good qualities. He is and will be a kind and compassionate person that accepts others. Not everyone gets that education at such a young age. 

Now, go get your groceries, people – the old ladies are out! You have been warned!