Gabrielle lost her third tooth yesterday after a few days of labor pains! She wiggled it and wiggled it over the weekend. After our Sunday dinner, she came running to me while I was doing dishes at the kitchen sink and she screamed with excitement, “Tooth came out! Tooth came out!” We were so excited the tooth FINALLY came out!
She then literally lost the tooth for a few moments in all the excitement, but Joshua and Daddy helped her find it as it was stuck to her play dress. Nan Nan Hansen and Aunt Anne had joined us for Sunday dinner, and we all rejoiced with Gabrielle!
Today, on the way to school, Gabrielle said with delight, “Mommy, there is a hole in my smile!” Indeed, there is an adorable hole in her smile.
When Gabrielle said that, my heart quietly ached. There is a hole in my smile today, too. But not a physical hole, an emotional hole.
For the last several weeks, my mom has had debilitating and excruciating back pain from herniated discs. She has not been able to drive, get comfortable sitting or standing, sleep well, etc. My mom just recently recovered from hip replacement surgery and many subsequent complications. To have more physical suffering so soon has taken the wind out of her sails a bit.
This new physical trial has been very difficult for her…and for me. As her daughter, it is a torturous feeling knowing you can’t take your mom’s pain away. I pray for her. I help her with shopping, laundry, chores, cleaning and errands. Usually after I leave her house and get into my car to drive home, I privately sob. I wish my mom wasn’t in so much pain.
God is faithful and has not forsaken my mom. She is opening the scriptures every day and looking to the Great Physician for comfort and healing. “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:16-18
For the past two weekends, we have brought my mom (Nan Nan) to our house for a change of scenery and some loving comfort being with family. It is a privilege and honor to care for my mom, who is a widow, and who raised four children virtually on her own. She loves her family and especially all of her grandchildren. They all bring her such joy.
Here is a picture of Gabrielle with my mom yesterday as they trimmed string beans together for our Sunday dinner.
If you have graciously taken the time to read all the way down to here 🙂 , would you please say a prayer for my mom. Pray for a healing in her back and that God would send angels to minister and tend to her when her children can’t be there. Please pray He reveals Himself to her in an amazing and life-changing way during this season of life.
My mom has been very healthy and active up until this past year. We are hoping and praying that she’ll be back in stride very soon. She has been through all the tests, tried various treatments and has an appointment with a surgeon on Friday. My sweet, kind and compassionate husband, Jim, has offered to take her to her appointment. He wants to take a turn, and this is a big appointment! He blessed my heart so much with his love for my mom and my family. My siblings and I are graciously granting his request to serve my mom by taking her to this appointment.
Thank you for your prayers for my mom! And thank you for rejoicing with sweet Gabrielle!
Please leave a prayer request as a comment. It would be a privilege to pray for you, too. If you are rejoicing, let us know…we’d like to rejoice with you!
Unknown says
Sharon,
I too have gone through many hard days as my Mom almost left this life twice this year. Unlike your Mom, my Mom does NOT know the Lord.
Please keep her and my step-father in your prayers – that they come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. That they seek Him for all things and that this life loses its grip on them.
I will be lifting you and your Mom up in prayers! Trusting God to work in all things for her good and His glory!
Love and many hugs,
Jill
Unknown says
Oh goodness, I forgot to say how precious Gabrielle looks with her hole in that beautiful smile!
Congrats pretty girl!
Love,
Mrs. Samter
Joyful says
Your daughter is a little darling! Congratulations on the lost tooth!!!
Sharon, I can relate so well to what you are experiencing. My Mom had a complete hip replacement, but then due to an unfortunate accident, she fell and broke her pelvis about 5 weeks ago. The challenges have been many, but God is good. I totally understand, and have gotten in my car after spending the day at my parents home and cried as well. My Dad has challenges of his own, and sometimes it seems overwhelming. I know what you’re going through and I’ll be praying for you and your Mom.
Hugs,
Joy
Heather says
Hello dear friend,
What a beautiful and heartfelt post. Gabrielle looks simply stunning with that hole in her smile (I am blessed enough to see it first-hand:)
And for your sweet mother…I so feel your pain and she has been ever in our prayers since you told me how much pain she was in. My paretns have always been so self sufficient, I have not crossed this path yet, but know that in the Lord’s timing, these trials may be mine as well. I am thankful you have some private time that you may weep for the woman who helped make you such an extraordinary woman.
The last time I had the privilege of being in your mother’s company I told her what an amazing mother she must be because she raised the lovliest of daughters. She is beyond blessed with you and Anne offering her company, assistance and plain old love. God will take good care of her, Sharon.
The final portion of your post reminds me of the verse in Romans, “Each one of us need to look after the good of the people around us asking ourselves, “How can I help?” That is exactly what Jesus did. He did not make things easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out.” Romans 15:2-3
Sending you huge hugs
Love,
Heather
Lois Christensen says
I feel your mom’s pain…I also have 2 herniated discs along with spinal stenosis, arthritis, curvature of the spine, the list can go on. The pain can be terrible at times…lately I have had some relief, PTL. I will keep your mom in my prayers. Has she tried therapy yet? The pool was pretty okay for me. I’ve tried shots and they relieved the pinch nerve and numbness, but God is able to do exceedingly ABOVE what we ask of Him!
Vern ~ Inspired says
“There’s a hole in my smile!” I loved that! I also loved the picture of Gabrielle with your mom!
I will pray for your mom and for you and her doctors.
May Healing, Wisdom and Peace surround you!
I would appreciate your prayers for preparation for an upcoming Ladies Seminar…and other fall speaking engagements. THANKS!
Be Inspired!
Unknown says
What a blessing that your mom is close enough that you can be with her and help her. I am the adult child of an alcoholic mother, and am not blessed with such a wonderful relationship.
But I do feel a kindred spirit with you. My daughter lost her 10th tooth yesterday! (She is 9). And smart. She unexpectedly pulled it out at 9:30 p.m. When my husband asked if she was going to put it under her pillow, she said “not until tomorrow night. The tooth fairy didn’t have time to prepare.” LOL!