The Village

It is that time of year that we count through our blessings and think about those things for which we are truly thankful. It's a big, big list for me but I want to focus this blog entry on those that enable me to do all the things I do and to be all the places I need to be. At the same exact time.

You've heard the expression 'it takes a village to raise a child'? It's true for us. At least until they've mastered human cloning. And time travel. We traveled last week for Mr. 1inamillion's appointments and treatment in St. Louis and I spent the few days before doing what I now refer to as 'deploying the village'.

• Arrange room & board with my aunt and uncle in Olathe. They are close enough to half way along the trip and staying the first night there allows me to miss just two days of work instead of three. It is also so wonderful to spend time with them. I miss my mom just a bit less.
• Arrange room & board with my bonus kids in St. Louis. Mr. 1inamillion of course did this task as my bonus kid is his daughter (who is beyond a bonus, I adore her). She and her husband live in a very cute brown stone apartment just ten minutes from Siteman Cancer Center.
• Speak with the half neighbors about a ride to scouts for Thing 1. (The half neighbors live next door to my dad. The kids somehow determined this made them their half neighbors and have since referred to them as such.)
• Line up lunch dates for Things 1 and 2. Wednesday was the Thanksgiving lunch at their schools and the kids could invite their parents to join them. Oh my guilt. Gabe called me from the office on the morning they were to turn in their number of guests. I was driving to an appointment in Wichita, telling him mommy and daddy will be in St. Louis that day and could hear the disappointment rising in his little body through the speakers of the car. I asked who he would like to take our place. He said Grandpa but still sounding wounded, I fast and dangerously suggested our pastor and his wife both of whom Gabe thinks are cool. He was excited with that idea. Very risky on my part since I hadn't spoken with them and if they weren't able to go it would be double disappointment. I hung up, prayed and dialed right away. Thankfully they were delighted with the invitation and able to attend. phew what a relief. I was more cautious with arranging a stand in for Thing 2's lunch and asked before I spoke. Lucy's lunch date was one of my mom's dearest friends who babysat Lucy once a week before she began kindergarten. She, too was honored by the invite and an exciting stand in that overshadowed our absence. Hallelujah!
• Speak with wonderfully kind neighbor who walks the dogs while we're gone. A fellow dog lover, she understands Brit's need for exercise and doesn't see her as dangerous and vicious at all. I am so grateful for her because my dad adamantly draws the line at walking the four legged treadmill.
• Review the week's schedule with Dad. Lucy's basketball, Gabe's scouts, Dane's appointment schedule, etc. He more than anyone makes up for the lack of cloning. He stays with the kids and animals while we are gone, maintaining for them their 'normal' as much as possible. He takes Mr. 1inamillion to his local appointments as much as we need him to, minimizing my absence from work.

Yep, I am thankful for the village. Gratitude beyond words for those with whom the Lord has blessed us.