Hospital visits

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I have been lucky enough to visit Sebastian in the hospital two more times since my visit on Wednesday.

On Thursday, he was awake when I arrived but was running a fever so he was given some medication and soon fell off to sleep.

Friday, I arrived as mom and dad were stepping out for a much needed break. Sebastian was in his room having x-rays taken as his worried uncle watched from the hallway.

Talk about heart breaking! Try standing in the hallway and watching and listening to the cries of a little boy in pain as his leg is turned and twisted in every evil way possible for x-rays.

If you've ever had a hurt or broken bone x-rayed you understand what I'm talking about!

Sebastian was a champion though!

I had shown up with a few more goodies that had arived at school for him ~ a bag of candy he could use to offer his visitors something sweet. (That made him feel pretty grown up!), a book to read and some more cards.

I opened one of the cards and read it to him. It was so sweet! We even found some monkey stickers inside the card! Sebastian shared one of the stickers with his uncle.

I didn't stay for too long. Mom hopes they'll be released from the hospital soon. Maybe even on Saturday! (Keep your fingers crossed!)

I've seen the cool wheel chair Sebastian will be spending some time in when he goes home. Mom and dad were going to try and get him into it for a little spin around the hospital after I left and I can't believe I didn't remind them to send me a picture if they did. UGH!

The cards and packages you guys sent are still helping Sebastian and his family pass the time. They are working their way through them slowly but surely and have loved every single one they've read.

The Story of Me part 31

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June 28, 1999

Harmony was in her bedroom when she heard the knocking on the door. She exhaled loudly then stood and walked toward the front of the house where the sound had originated. Harmony passed Mary’s closed bedroom door and knew the lady wouldn’t be coming out of her room. She had tired of the friends and fellow church members that had been making daily appearances since Gene’s murder the previous week. Harmony had spent most of the week locked inside her bedroom avoiding Mary instead of comforting her the way she should have been doing. The way she would have if she had only known how.

Harmony reached the front door expecting to see more people with food. Why was it people showed up with food after someone died? No one wanted to eat and most of it was being thrown away. Harmony was stunned for a moment after she opened the door and saw that it was
Madelyn Wilson, the clipboard lady from social services. She was standing there with a smile on her face that was anything but friendly.

Harmony wasn’t happy to see this woman again. She had promised they would become good friends, but then she only showed up in Harmony’s life after something bad happened.

“I don’t think Mary is up to company right now. She’s in her room and she’s probably sleeping.” Harmony said hoping the clipboard lady would turn around and leave.

“It’s good to see you again Harmony. If I can come in I would like to talk to you for a little while.” Madelyn said as she tried make her smile look friendlier.

Harmony exhaled in the loud exaggerated way only an aggravated teenager can as she stepped back to make room for the clipboard lady to enter.

Madelyn looked around the small but tidy room before taking a seat in a large recliner. “How have you been?”

“No very well. Haven’t you heard, Gene was shot and killed for no reason.” Harmony replied flippantly as she threw herself onto the couch.

“I’m really sorry that happened. Gene was a nice man. I know you must miss him.”

Harmony looked at Madelyn as if she were going to say something important but then changed her mind. “Yes, he was nice.” she replied.

“Other than that happening, how are you doing?” Madelyn sat up and leaned toward Harmony as she asked the question.

“I’m fine. I’m getting by like I always do.”

“I spoke with Gene before everything happened and he said that he was worried about you. Did you have a fight with one of your friends or something.”

Harmony squared her shoulders and answered with an edge to her voice. “No I did not.”

“Mary called me yesterday. She’s upset about Gene and worried about you.” Madelyn spoke softly hoping to calm the girl down.

“I said that I’m fine. So, if that’s why you’re here you just wasted your time.” Harmony stood in an attempt to let Madelyn know she was finished with the conversation.

“Harmony, Mary told me that she thinks it would be a good idea if I found another placement for you.” Harmony froze where she was standing. “She says that you’ve been difficult to handle lately and that you won’t talk to her. With everything that happened to Gene, she’s barely taking care of herself. She doesn’t think she can give you what you need right now.”

Harmony dropped back onto the couch and tried to cover up the sadness she felt. “Fine. I’ll just go back to my Grandma Pat. I know she’s missed me.”

“Honey, that’s not an option.” Madelyn answered softly.

“Yes, it is. Just ask her. I know she wants me. She’ll be happy to see me again. The Harrisons have kept me from her for long enough.” Harmony’s voice was getting louder and angrier.

“Do you remember the talk we had right after you came here to live.” Madelyn paused for Harmony to answer but continued talking when she didn’t. “We talked about how she had done something bad a long time ago and needed to explain why.” Madelyn paused again. “Harmony, your Grandma Pat is in prison in Georgia.”

“You’re a liar.” Harmony said with a quiet coldness that cause Madelyn to shiver.

“She did something really, really bad. It was a long time ago, but she hid from the police and changed her life and her name. Once they found her she had to answer for her past.”

“I remember hearing Mary and Gene talking. They said she killed a family, but Pat would never do anything like that. You don’t know her. I do and she would never do that.” Harmony said as tears begin to puddle in her eyes.

“I believe that the lady you knew would never do anything bad. Madelyn stressed the word ‘knew’ as she spoke. “I have no idea what the woman she was before you knew her would have done.”

“Why? Why would she kill someone?”

“I don’t know the details, Harmony. I know there was a family that she was connected to somehow. There was a man with a wife and two daughters and their house burned down. The police said that Pat was responsible and she confessed when they spoke to her at the hospital.”

“That doesn’t make sense? It doesn’t!” Harmony cried.

“Honey, she wanted to make sure you were safe. She confessed so that no one would question you.” Madelyn reached out to touch Harmony’s hand, but Harmony moved out of the way.

“I’ll never believe that Grandma Pat could do something bad. Never.” Harmony wiped the tears from her face and squared her shoulders again. “Why are you here?”

“I told you. Mrs. Harrison is worried about you.”

“You said she didn’t want me anymore.”

“No, honey, it’s not that she doesn’t want you. I know she loves you. She’s just sad now.”

“You’re going to take me some place else to live?” Harmony asked.

Madelyn gave Harmony a sad smile. “I am. At least for a little while.”

Harmony stood up quickly. “Well, lets go then.”

“We don’t have to leave right away. You can pack some of your things and tell Mary bye” Madelyn tried calming Harmony down.

“Mary doesn’t want me here and there’s nothing in this house that I want.” Harmony said before walking out of the Harrison’s house for the last time.

The bravest boy ever!

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Sebastian had to be at the hospital by 5:45 AM. I know mom and dad weren't able to get any sleep Tuesday night, but Sebastian was awake and ready to go...

I have a hard time understanding how anyone can smile that early in the morning, but a couple of hours later he was still smiling as he waited for the last visit from the doctor before being taken in for his surgery...

The surgeon went into this surgery thinking that he may have to take a bone graft from Sebastian's hip for his foot, but after three and a half hours he came out of the operating room and let mom and dad know that it wasn't necessary. The surgery was over and he said he couldn't have been happier with how it went.

After school another teacher and I showed up at the hospital with the more than 500 cards and packages from all around the world that you guys so kindly sent in...

Sebastian was awake (barely) and watching The Karate Kid on TV. He was tired and fighting against the meds to stay awake. He let me take a picture of his cast, but let me know that he will be getting a new cast with Spiderman on it next week. How cool is that?!?!

Even though Sebastian was sleepy, he managed to say "cheese" everytime his picture was taken.

Even though mom and dad hadn't slept much they agreed to pose for a picture too so that you guys could see where Sebastian gets all of his cuteness...

Seriously, how can two people in desperate need of sleep look so camera ready? lol!

Then mom and dad helped Sebastian look through some of his cards...

Sebastian really needed to sleep, but was forcing himself to stay awake because he didn't want to miss anything we were talking about so we decided it was time to leave. Mom and dad needed to get some rest too! Sebastian gave in to the sleep monster before we were even out of the door, but thanks to you guys, he has plenty of goodies to keep him busy when he wakes up.

I am so upset!

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The bus from crazy town seems to have pulled into my life and dropped some people off.

I'm upset because it appears that they all had a one way ticket and I may have to put up with them for awhile.

Tomorrow is the day!

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Unless the surgeons pull another last minute switcheroo Sebastian will have his surgery tomorrow. So, if you wouldn't mind, please say an extra prayer for him, for his family, for the doctors and nurses that will be caring for him, for the kids at school that will miss him and for me.

I don't have a count on the cards that were mailed to the hospital, but I will try to get an update on those for you on Wednesday. Here is the latest info I do have.....

We have collected 529 cards and packages from 11 different countries and 29 different states!

You guys are awesome! I will never be able to thank you enough!

I can do this!

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If I can make it to Friday, I'll be on spring break!

I think I can...I think I can...I think I can...

Come on Friday!

My Party Dress by IvoryKeys Digital Dreams

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Ok, I've been a bad CT member lately because I failed to tell you about the newest kit from IvoryKeys Digital Dreams. It's called My Party Dress and it is so pretty. It's perfect for all your girly girl layouts. There are 42 elements, 15 papers and an alpha. Of course, you can also get some matching cardstock and glitter papers too. Take a look at the kit preview...

You can find this awesome kit in the IvoryKeys Digital Dreams store at Stuff to Scrap.

Here's a layout I've made...

Make sure you visit Susan's blog for more layout inspiration. You'll also find a freebie there!

If you haven't already signed up for the IvoryKeys Digital Dreams newsletter, make sure you do that soon! I know there was a totally cute newsletter freebie made using this kit too.