As I have been reporting in previous posts while Griffin and Carter are doing relatively well, they each have some issues that are slowing their progress.   Carter has lung issues which affect his ability to breath and maintain the appropriate levels of oxygen in his blood.  His lungs collapse often and require a jet machine to reinflate them and keep them functioning.  Griffin’s lungs on the other hand look great and he was taken off the ventilator and is now doing really well with just a tube in his nose providing a low-level of constant oxygen.  However, Griffin hasn’t eaten consistently since birth and has only had a bowel movement with the help of medicines.  They have run lots of tests and are now consulting with surgery to be sure that there isn’t an obstruction of some kind in his intestines stopping him from being able to process his feeds.  The good news is that so far none of the tests show any obstruction or serious concern.   So while Carter is up to 2.5 lbs Griffin gains and loses weight on a daily basis and is just brushing 2 lbs. 

A couple of days ago during  our “amens” (prayers before dinner, which we refer to as “amens”) we prayed for both Griffin and Carter and their different situations.  It was after we said amen that Kennedy erupted with a smile and exclaimed “It is so great, they both have their own talents! Carter is a good eater and Griffin is a good breather!”  Her enthusiasm and pride for her brothers was apparent and there wasn’t a sign of concern anywhere on her face.  Here I was praying for God to fix their problems where Kennedy sat thankful for their “talents” as she put it.  

I have thought a lot about Kennedy’s point of view in the past couple days as I stood next to the boys’ isolettes, watching them wiggle, breath, open their eyes, cry, sleep.  As I talked with the doctors and nurses about the plan of action, test results, medications, future tests, breathing rates, xrays.   What an easy change in point of view to make one’s outlook brighter and easier to handle. 

Choosing a mindset of positivity and gratitude instead of pessimism and needs came so easily to Kennedy.  So from now on I am going to try to follow her example.  What a nice way to walk through life, let alone a difficult time!