We heard a noise in Pierce’s room Tuesday night. My husband went in to check on him and in a moment called back to me, “He’s having a seizure.”
This was his third one and we were prepared this time. Outwardly, we remained very calm. Inwardly though, I was still a bit panicked. I continued to tell myself it would pass in another minute and he would let out that loud cry. And after what seemed like the longest minute ever, he did, and I held him while he cried. I held him while he fell back into a deep sleep. I held him when he awoke again. And I eventually opened up our futon and held him the rest of the night long.
For even though his febrile seizures are not an uncommon thing, even though they cause no harm to him, they still are awful to witness. They still take a momma’s heart and shake it to the core.
It was a long night and I was exhausted come morning. But he awoke as happy as one could ever imagine, even with the fever still in his body. He decided to pass it to his sister too, because although they daily fight like cats and dogs, this is of course the one thing they love to share.
And so I continued the week with two sick toddlers. Except no one else would ever know they were sick. Well, unless they entered our house and saw the mountains of laundry, or the carpets now in desperate need of professional cleaning. But other than that, they would see happy faces and laughing hearts.
They don’t let anything get them down, do they? Our kids. They won’t let anything steal their fervor for life, their joy in living. If it was me, I would have sang my woes. But they sang “Let it Go.” I would have cried at many points. But in these same moments they danced–literally.
They are teaching me constantly it seems. And the lesson this time: to see the good in the midst of the bad. To find the beauty in the middle of the ugly. To always feel the joy of living. Always. To know that temporary setbacks are just that–temporary. There is forever a silver lining, if only we open our eyes to see it.
Is it simply too cheesy to end this with a completely overused phrase? Yes. But I just couldn’t get it out of my mind this week:
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain.
Keep dancing, momma. Dance the night away.
To read about Pierce’s first two seizures, see here and here.
Mom Life Now 
The cruelest part is being a parent watching your child go through that. Thoughts are with you!
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Thanks David! Yes, I never knew emotions such as now as a parent!
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So true! It’s amazing how children are always able to find the joy in things. There is no mistake as to why they are considered blessings.
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Yes, I never really understood the meaning of that word until I became a mom!
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Seizures are scary even if you are prepared for them. Keep dancing momma you are doing a great job!
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Aw, thanks April!
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Oh that must be so scary! Kids have the best ability to bounce back. I love that quote, I don’t think its cheesy at all.
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Yeah, glad you too like it! 🙂
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My son Caleb has epilepsy, so I know this feeling well. I do wish I knew what caused Caleb’s though. Life is so very imperfect, but yes, we go on dancing and laughing anyway.
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My prayers are with you today. Love to hear the way you all keep on dancing!
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That was so beautiful to hear how you held your son, and yes, definitely keep dancing!
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Aw, thanks Kellie!!
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Beautiful as always! I particularly loved this quote: ‘Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain’. Oh! Its beautiful. I am going through a storm myself. Will remember what you said and always..
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So glad to hear this came to you at the right time! Praying your storm will pass quickly!
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Sasha, those seizures must be so scary, I’m glad your little guy is okay. Thanks for the reminder to keep dancing even through the tough times!
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Natasha, I simply hate them. However, I am sooooo grateful they cause no harm to him and I count my blessings every time.
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At once scary and uplifting—thanks for the post.
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Thanks Catherine! It quickly reminds how blessed you are!
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Beautiful and resonating. It can take a long journey to get us to the present. A place where we are not looking back and are living for the day rather than a future circumstance. Thank you for the reminder. Our time is now.
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Yes, right now! So glad this resonated with you!
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