Serendipity: an addendum

Serendipity, n. : The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident.

Last night, I wrote the words that came to me in my sadness, but the story, of course, did not end there. Before I came to sad songs and shiraz, I had spoken with three families who were on their way home, and, in the midst of my own melancholy, was extremely happy for them.

Later, after I left sad songs and shiraz, I spoke with three other families. One mother whose 22-year old son was battling a MRSA infection of the brain. Another whose 17 year-old son became quadripalegic during a football game. And then I spoke to the 9 year-old boy who had had a liver transplant. Who had been away from his four siblings for a long time. Who had to walk around with a face mask lest he be exposed to an errant germ. And who reassured me that small children like Isaiah take a little longer to heal. In the midst of their sadness, did I find more of my own happiness.

With the smallest trach possible, Isaiah is able to vocalize again. This morning, during rounds, he asked Dr. Noah, "Can we take out my trach please, Dr. Noah?" Far from a sad moment, even though the answer was, "Maybe next week." We sit quietly this weekend, and for some of that time, I think I'll seek out those "Serendipity" books of my childhood. It never hurts to have little more on hand.