This past weekend TJ had a moment of frustration about his allergies. It was the first time in 6.5 years of his life that he had spoken up and said that sometimes he gets frustrated. He is currently still allergic to dairy, eggs and peanuts. He went on to explain that he knows dairy is in a lot of foods. So he vented and we listened. Then we came up with a game plan for what new recipes we could try that were safe and yummy for all of us. That made him happy and so excited.
It was both heartbreaking and precious. But we also agreed we needed to continue to pray and believe that one day he would outgrow more, if not ALL of them. And trust me… we believe!
The next day as I was scrolling on my social media page, I saw a memory of TJ from 6 years ago. Those cozy, adorable pajamas were ones I could never forget. Instantly, I was brought back to that late afternoon. It was the last picture I had taken right before his first allergic and anaphylactic reaction…
6 years ago…
I remember it like it was yesterday …
It was a snowy, December evening when I gave him that tiny spoonful of yogurt for the first time.
I remember the highest level of fear I have ever felt. I remember the terrifying ride in the ambulance that had no epi-pen jr. in it. I remember holding an oxygen mask over his face, praying that he would continue to cry because… crying meant he was still breathing!
But I also remember 45 minutes later and being so thankful to have gotten there in time.
I remember the doctors in the emergency room being so comforting …
I also remember the triumph…
I also remember watching TJ’s resilience that those 21 food allergies could not erase. I remember his smile…
I remember his smile when he saw us standing there.
Back then I used to say, “I’ll be happy when …”
… all the allergies are gone …
Or
… when I have more money…
Or
… when I get to go to Disney World with my kids…
But then I see their smiles…
Then I saw his smile…
And I read God’s word more and more and I realized joy is not something we wait for.
Joy is a gift from the Lord.
So I celebrate the allergy count dropping from 21 food allergies to 3. I celebrate the here and the now because God is here and now. And He is always working!
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
John 15:11 NIV
So I am grateful. I am joyful. I am hopeful.
Right here and right now.
The Art of a Messy House 