Charlotte's Journey

I had a completely different update written yesterday but then as I was sitting at MSK in clinic next to Charlotte as we were waiting for shot 3 of 7 after the 3rd week in a row of driving up to NYC from NC, I changed my mind. Here, pictured below,  is Charlotte for the first time she’s ever come out anywhere without bringing her hat. I see confidence. I see a little girl who may wish to be anywhere else, but is doing ALL of everything asked of her. No hat, no filter, extra sprinkles❤️🌈☺️ We have a 4 week break until she needs to return for shot 4! Getting into the car to drive back up there on Monday was brutal. Neither of us could muster up our positive attitude that we try to harness so badly when needed. Charlotte looked at me with tears in her eyes and said “mom? Why is my life so hard?” What could I say to that? Our sweet girl has lived through so much pain and fear along with all the joy and hope. Everything making her who she is. Everything an ingredient in her own special s

Somewhere in Florida are 2 grandparents we’ve never met who opened their vacant New Jersey home up for Charlotte and I Monday night for our quick up and back vaccine shot #2 of 7. Their home is 20 miles from MSK in Manhattan. Their granddaughter, Isla, is one of Charlotte’s best friends and also our neighbor. Isla’s Uncle, Aunt, and cousins live not too far away from this home and before we arrived, they dropped off the key and some rainbow treats for Charlotte to enjoy. These cousins of Isla’s didn’t even know about our special rainbows. God winking at us through the kindness of strangers once again. On our drive up Monday afternoon, we also got a rainbow in the aftermath of a huge thunderstorm. It popped up directly in front of us as we drove and was the first one we’d seen in what felt like a long time. We both smiled and seemed to need a little rainbow to drive towards. I think we could all use some rainbows to light our way during these days, Lord. These are strange times. It