Enjoy Your Life

Today I want to celebrate the graduation of my baby girl, Aimee Star, from the outpatient care of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she was cared for upon birth for 39 days in the NICU, followed by outpatient care for months. We re-visited her doctors there the week before last. All of her tests came back normal and healthy! God be praised! This was a six-month journey of “following the Star.” Only God knows the depth of it for me as her Mom. I had to entrust her to God, to let go, and now I am being handed her back. My heart is expanding for Aimee in a brand-new way, like a balloon at last finding its full form through the pressure of fresh air!
 
Dr. Dori stepped into the room, “Well … look at her! This child does not need to be in this hospital!” His eyes turned to mine and after mine were caught like a fish on a hook he continued, “Go home! And, enjoy your life!” All of the sudden, I felt the need to leave the building fast. Happiness became a tyrant of grace pulling me, Aimee, and her stroller out of this gigantic nest of medical care for children. I took a beeline for the door without a single sentiment of wanting to farewell it slowly.
 
And, we went home.
And now, our orders now are to enjoy our life.
 
When one has orders to “Enjoy your life” after a life threatening journey, it trumps all the other orders that dare to contradict it like those that command fearful existence, uncertainty, anxiety, isolation, and the other stream of orders that threaten to destroy our sense of being alive these days.
 
From my life to yours – I am extended this order to you.
Whatever it looks like for you, this is an order from Aimee Star …
 
ENJOY YOUR LIFE!

Grab a Pen: What are 3 things that you enjoy? How can you gain access to them again?