“So how is Lydia doing?” we are often asked. We are humbled by the support and care
that we continue to receive. Thank
you. She is doing well,
considering how extensive her injuries were, and how much recovery is needed. She still has a great, heart warming smile, and a readiness to share
it with others. She is continuing
her studies in grade 9, with her support teacher, at Rockway Mennonite
Collegiate, and doing well there.
In the past several months, her recovery has been more focused on the
recovery and healing of many emotions.
She has hard days, and good days, and we are learning to stay in each
day, and not jump ahead to the future.
“This too, shall pass” is an axiom that James and I have often shared
with one another, in the various difficult stages of parenting that we have
encountered over the years. This
expression reminds us of the temporal nature of things that seem long and
hard. Lately, I have
been challenged to remind myself that it is not merely a matter of biding time
in a hard situation, and waiting for it to pass, but rather, to acknowledge
that God is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, and He knows and
holds each stage. He knows the
beginning, the middle and the end.
He will hold us and keep us in every stage.
We celebrated Lydia’s 15th birthday with a family
trip to Ottawa. We attended
question period in Parliament, and afterwards enjoyed a wonderful visit with
our MP for Kitchener Conestoga, Harold Albrecht. In the House, he spoke of Lydia’s miraculous recovery, and
reminded us how far she has come. He
reflected back on Lydia’s “when I am 14” list of things she hoped to be able to
do by herself by the time she turned 14 year old – like eating soup! He then wished her a happy birthday,
and said “we can only imagine the
things you will be able to do when you are 15!”
If you have a moment, enjoy this minute long update from our
genuine and caring Member of Parliament. Harold works for and cheerleads many
causes in our nation. We are
touched by his ongoing support and prayers for Lydia.
Lydia, our determined warrior butterfly, has already begun
her “ when I am 16 list” of goals she hopes to reach. Her list sounds a lot like many other teenagers, “ I hope to
drive….”. We have cautioned her
that it may be awhile before she is able to do that. But who knows what a year will hold? We can always hope.
