Saturday I drove for two hours until I saw this sign.
I pulled up into this housing complex . . .
and found this lovely college student waiting for me.
I just happened to be driving Steve’s car so I was feeling pretty zippy. And no, I wasn’t parked permanently like this. I just zoomed into the space for a second so that Sarah could get in.
My purpose for being in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area was to visit a young girl in our church who had been hospitalized. Since Regent was not too far out of the way I thought, “Who better to take with me on a hospital visit than that sweet hospital veteran of mine?”
Plus, it gave Sarah and I an excuse to spend some time together so it was a win-win.
Off we went to Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters.
Sarah and I both loved the kid-themed decor.
It brought back memories of the lovely children’s clinic at Duke where we spent so many hours.
We’ve had a really rough flu season in the area so we couldn’t go into the patient’s room without our masks in place. Sarah looks pretty cheery; I look like I am about to rob a bank.
Sarah was glad to get to see Emma Grace and her mom, Elizabeth. She has been in at least a dozen of Elizabeth’s choreographed productions at church and so the two of them have spent many hours rehearsing and performing together.
You may remember seeing Elizabeth in pictures I’ve posted from our Easter productions.
Emma Grace and her sweet sisters have sung at our church many times. (Emma Grace is on the left.)
Sarah and I were glad we were able to spend some time with them and make at least one of their hospital days go by a little faster.
After I got back home last night I emailed Sarah to thank her for coming with me. She replied, “I was honored to be invited. We have been in their shoes so many times, so it was nice to be able to return the kindness we received.”
both Steve’s mom and my mom have been in the hospital this week; they should be getting out in the next couple of days. Steve has been in Charlotte the past few days, dividing his time between hanging out with his dad at home and going to the hospital to visit his mom.
Although I would love to be in Wisconsin with my mom, 1200 miles makes getting there a bit of a challenge. I am thankful for my sister, Debbie, who lives in the same town as mom and takes such magnificent care of her. My other sister, Ruth, who lives a couple of hours from them, is also in town to help out this week.
To both of our moms–Vernie and Jo Ann–we love you much and our sending you many hugs and prayers from Manteo.
I wanted to say that being at Regent on Saturday reminded me of an upcoming Big Important Date in our family. Sarah is graduating from college on Saturday, May 11!
I know. We can’t believe it either.
And being at a children’s hospital reminded me of these photos from Sarah’s hospital days and non-hospital days alike.
If you have been reading here for any length of time, you know what a great big brother Nathan has been to Sarah through the years, and especially during the time Sarah was going through cancer treatment.
One of Sarah’s heart’s desires is to have her big brother (and of course, her wonderful sister-in-law) attend her graduation. However, with a fourth baby on the way, Nathan and Meagan don’t have a lot of extra money for plane tickets. (They would leave the kids with family members and just come themselves.)
I am not going to mention it a lot on here but I did want to ask that if anyone has any airline miles, or would be willing to make a small donation toward plane fare, please email me at smithellaneousATyahoo.com. It would make ALL the Smiths so happy to have Nathan and Meagan here on Sarah’s big day.
What about you?
Do you remember your college (or high school) graduation?
Does anything stand out to you? Any special memories or funny stories?
You are telling tall tales. There is NO way Sarah is done with college already! ?
Ellen,
I know, right? Graduating from high school, I can cope with. But NOT graduating from college! I am too young to be that old!
Becky, so many comments in my thoughts, but (aside from picturing you and Sweet Sarah zooming around town in that Miata convertible… and maybe eating Oreos?)… I want to say that it was fascinating to see your beautiful photos of CHKD. Although it is right here in our backyard, we have not visited since our 42 year old son had minor surgery there in 1977. My word – so many changes! We are so proud of Sarah, and feel honored to know her… and her wonderful parents!
Fred,
Yes, it is really a gorgeous hospital; they have worked very hard at making it a place that makes sick children smile.
Sarah and I did do a good bit of zooming in the Miata but there were, sadly, no Oreos to be had.
Hoping Emma Grace and your family members Will feel better soon.
It is so strange that Sarah is soon about to graduate! I remember when I started following your blog Sarah was 10 and had just relapsed with cancer and the future was uncertain . Nathan was a teenager. And now he is about to become a father for the fourth time
I have a question when Sarah was diagnosed at 6 with cancer for the first time what did you tell her? I imagine it must been so difficult to tell a child
Another question when you had your own cancer journey did your previous expierence as a Cancer mum help you with your own journey?
Katrina,
That really is a long time to be following Sarah’s story! It sometimes hard for ME to believe that she and Nathan are adults!
We just gave Sarah as much information as she needed for the moment but nothing more–no long term outlook, no description of what the next year or two of treatment would be. Basically just, “The doctors have told us you have a disease called Neuroblastoma and you need to go to the hospital to get some medicine.” We knew that as the days and weeks passed, we would begin to fill in more details as needed. She still knew it was very serious though and there were a lot of tears for all of us.
Yes, I think being a cancer mom did help me as a cancer patient because I already knew a lot about treatment options, and what the medical terms meant. And it also helped that Sarah had been through it and would go through it with me.
Great questions, Katrina!
Prayers for Emma Grace and both Steve’s and your mothers. The flu seems to be rampant right now.
I graduated college from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. It’s now called Missouri State University. Anyhow, my aunt and uncle live in Springfield so they had a little get together after graduation. My dad stayed for that then returned home as he had to work the next day. My younger brother and mom stayed to help me move home the next day. Kevin was about 13 as I recall as he’s several years younger than me. He had a gerbil and had brought it with him as he wanted to get a second one but wanted to make sure it was the same sex so we didn’t end up with baby gerbils. He thought the apartment air condition was too cool so draped one of his t-shirts over the cage while we were gone. When we got home, the gerbil had chewed on his t-shirt and basically destroyed it. That’s the funny part I remember from graduation. Another thing I remember is the quilt my grandmother made me as a graduation. It was hand pieced and quilted and I have it displayed on a quilt rack in my bedroom.
Congratulations to Sarah on her upcoming graduation!
Phyllis,
Gerbils, t-shirts and quilts. Three words you don’t often associate with a college graduation!
I love that you still display the quilt your grandma made for you–so special! We still have several quilts Steve’s grandmas made. They are true treasures.
Becky, can you set up a ‘tip jar’ on your site? So very happy to ‘tip’ for writing services rendered and smiles had over many years!
Wendy,
Hmmm. I didn’t even know there WAS such a thing as a tip jar. Will have to look into it.
So happy to know the blog has been enjoyed and has produced smiles over the years. Thank you for letting me know!
Wow, congrats Sarah. She has come so far and I’m sure gave that little girl a lot of hope that she will overcome her illness and grow up to do good things one day too. Hope the whole family is able to be there. Best wishes on both moms a speedy recovery. It’s hard when parents get older and sickly.
Blue Rose,
Yes, Sarah truly has come a long way and what’s most exciting is to look into the future and know that she still has so much ahead of her.
Thanks for your wishes for our moms; it is definitely hard to see parents aging and struggling.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!
It seems like Nathan JUST started college so how could Sarah possibly be about to graduate??? I’m always amazed at how “fun” they make childrens’ hospitals look these days. Prayers for healing for both your and Steve’s sweet Mamas.
Sue Ellen,
Yes, I was just thinking that ten years ago at this time, Nathan was doing a semester in Israel, a single college student, few responsibilities, young and carefree. Now he’s a husband, a dad of four with a mortgage and a job. And Sarah is a single college student with few responsibilities, young and carefree. I’m glad they’ve both had the chance to be in a relatively simple season before the full weight of adulthood comes to bear. Can’t wait to see what is ahead for Sarah!
Thanks for the prayers for our moms.
I love the sea turtle picture at the hospital! Part of that is because my daughter (who is 28) LOVES sea turtles! So wonderful that you took the time to go visit that family in the hospital. My daughter was in the hospital for 2 weeks when she was in high school and it meant so much when anyone came to visit. It takes a special person (or in your case persons) to do hospital visits.
Nicole,
I loved the vivid colors of that turtle. It looked like it was about to burst out of the wall and swim away!
Yes, hospital days can be long and wearying; it’s nice to see a friendly face pop through the door!
When I graduated from High school (didn’t go to college) I remember it being so huge! Our class had about 600 kids in it (I lived in Denver) and our ceremony was at the DU arena. We were only allowed to take 4 guests each which was a bummer because someone didn’t get to go (I’m guessing it was my brother) because mom, dad, grandma and grandpa went. 🙁 At the time that I graduated, I was able to name every student in my class by first name!
I’m so, so happy for Sarah!! I sure hope it works out so that Nathan and Meagan will be able to attend.
Sorry to hear that the mothers are both not well. That’s so hard, especially when you can’t be there. I hope they are better soon. Prayers for everyone.
LeeAnne,
You knew 600 students by name? I am VERY impressed! I can only imagine that with that many students, tickets had to be limited.
Thankfully, Sarah gets ten tickets which should be plenty since we have very few family members around. She will invited a few of her friends from school. (Who aren’t graduating this year.)
Thanks for the prayers for the Smithellaneous Moms! 🙂
Such wonderful pictures of the children’s hospital. To make it less scary for the kids who come. Time has gone quickly, to see Sarah with the tube in her nose, and now to know it is no longer there and the only tube to think about now is one (or more) that are in her car and might need to be replaced. Did not graduate from college, but high school. Our speaker was Jessie Owens, the Olympic champion. So much to say about him, but will let folks look him up. We were privileged.
Sharyn,
I know exactly who Jessie Owens is! I was inspired by him in my earlier grades of school and did several reports/papers on him. I can’t imagine what a thrill it must have been to hear him speak!
My sister graduated from high school the same year I graduated from college. She could not attend my college graduation because she was receiving a first time given student award that day. My parents and my paternal grandma attended. I graduated the end of May. So happy for Sarah and y’all. What a wonderful day it will be. Prayers Nathan and Meagan will be able to attend. Pictures are lovely. Prayers for both Moms. Difficult to have Mama sick and especially when you can’t be there. God bless.
Ann,
So nice you at least had your parents and grandma there on your graduation day. That is such a big day to celebrate! Can’t believe Sarah is almost there –not sure what will lie beyond graduation for her but we just trust that her path will be made clear.
Thanks for the prayers for our moms. So appreciated.