The halo comes off in one day.
It was both forever and a flash.
As we approach the removal, I wonder how The Kid will react to losing seven pounds in a matter of minutes. I wonder if it will have all worked, if he will hold his head straight as we leave the hospital. And I think about how the past six weeks have changed us beyond the physical, beyond the sponge baths and bruises and sore arms and immobility.
The thing that stands out most is intimacy.
“You can’t get to intimacy except through the door of vulnerability.” This halo has disarmed us: of confidence, of comfort, of predictability, of bath time. But it has given us so much more than it took away. We’ve been held in place together, and we’ve been healed of self-sufficiency. The three of us, held by so much more than just the three of us.
Intimacy–being reduced to what cannot be hidden or faked–is hard stuff. It pokes and jabs and scars and tears. And it’s worth it, because it’s everything. It walks through the mall with a smile that outweighs the stares. It falls and gets up as one. It crosses the finish line hand in hand, putting us in a different place from where we started. It yields gifts we haven’t even opened yet.
So here is a picture of what that has looked like for us over the past six weeks: vulnerability and intimacy set to a Beyonce song. As it should be.
5 comments on “Halo Redux”
You “3 Amigos” take my breath way! So fitting that Baby James has a halo-typical of all God’s Angels! Love you sooooo
Gorgeous! I am sobbing. Thank you for sharing your beautiful and challenging journey. Amazing family! I could not be happier for you….and I don’t quite know how to stop crying, I am just so thrilled.
Thank you for including us in your journey! This was a wonderful tribute to the love that is in your home and family. God Bless you all and may the future be full of bounties you cannot imaging.
I’m in tears. Good thing I can type without looking. He is such a beautiful child and I know this has been a challenge beyond anything expected. Filled with prayers for tomorrow.
Chuckled when you used his hoodie as a ‘leash.’
Margaret’s friend here. I have been following for a while now but this is just like being at a happy party. You are a family of halos! Margaret and Jack are truly blessed as are you and yours. As Margaret would say, “Blessings on your head.”! Thank you for your beautiful expression and for sharing your journey. M.