Gone

On a dreary, rainy Monday, I felt the impact of lose. Normally, my blog is light and funny, but today, I couldn’t force the humor. I was in the midst of the mundane task of opening mail, when I received a text from one of my closest friends to inform me that my children’s pediatrician had passed away rather suddenly. The wave of emotion overwhelmed me. If you are a parent, especially a mother, you partner with a Pediatrician to guide you through all the ups and downs whether physical or mental. They are part of a village of special workers that remind you that this parenting thing is never done alone.

If you have a special needs child, then their presence is even more important, and that is the case with this very special doctor. Bailey’s medical records looked like an anthology. We practically lived in her office for the first five years of his life. She stood by us as walked through a Leukemia scare. She stayed after hours to check him out and then called the hospital to let them know we were on our way when he had RSV not once but twice. I couldn’t have walked through his medical emergencies without the guidance of a compassionate doctor. She extended herself in a way that I am most grateful for, and I hope her children know that her legacy is vast.

One’s legacy is their story. A compilation of how they lived their life. I am sure that I am not the only one who had this bond with her. She was that type of person who simply had a light about them. She radiated love and compassion. She embraced my craziness when I was losing my shit over the latest diagnosis. She gave me hope. I was blessed to have her in my corner and grateful that my children were in her care. And while I am heartbroken over her death, I am reminded how quickly the landscape of life can change. It is a solemn reminder not to take the moments we are offered for granted.