My 42nd Birthday

It was to be a great day. Unfortunately, my husband who was out of town, couldn't share in the fun, so planning for my special day fell to me. A lunch date at a bakery with a new friend who shares my birthday and dinner with old friends at a Mexican restaurant were both on the agenda. Thankfully, (miraculously, really) both of those events came to pass.

In addition to the dental appointments for all five children who were on spring break, there were a few things that I hadn't scheduled. The biggest item was an unscheduled trip to the doctor for my five-year-old's broken arm. The arm was actually broken the previous day when he jumped off a swing in our backyard. Let me explain...

Moms know that when injuries occur, ice is usually the cure-all. Dutifully, when little Caleb came into the house with tears streaming down his face, I grabbed the oft-used cold compress from the freezer and sat him on the couch. His right arm, close to the wrist bothered him, but there would be no swelling all day. He participated in quiet activities the rest of the day and didn't complain at dinnertime when using his left hand to eat. He went to bed after I gave him ibuprofen, said prayers and kissed him goodnight. I told Nate, who shares the same bed, not to bump Caleb in the night.

In the morning he woke up saying that his arm "felt funny." This was a new description for an injury that I'd not heard previously from the other 4 children in our house. I made a mental note that after my birthday lunch date I might be taking him to the convenient urgent care near our house which has an x-ray machine. Sure enough, when I retrieved him from his play date, the friend's grandmother confirmed that Caleb still favored the arm and didn't use it. His mood was good. I noticed that there was a small bump above his wrist. Nearly 24 hrs. after the injury occurred, the arm was finally showing outward signs of trauma. When I asked him about it, he said it still "felt funny" and hurt.

At 4p.m., the doctor examined the x-ray and concluded that Caleb had a fracture and would need a cast. However, it was too late in the day to find a place available for that process, plus, the swelling needed to subside. He was given more ibuprofen and we went home with a wrapped wrist and a phone number of a pediatric orthopedic doctor. Since there was nothing more I could do, I went forward with my plans for dinner with friends. I needed a margarita and it was my birthday. My in-laws came to our house to have dinner with the kids and take Suzy to gymnastics. Life went on.

Lesson for moms: When you're a mom, even when it's supposed to be about you, it isn't.

Positive takeaway: God is good. On March 18th, I remembered to thank Him for margaritas, girlfriends and the best in-laws anyone could ask for.