Smile

Calista had surgery.  Pretty major unexpected surgery on her little left foot.  Every time I have sat down to blog about it, my mind goes blank...at least a million (okay maybe 999) titles have gone through my mind.  Smile is what I settled on....because that is what she lost in the surgeon's office the day we found out.  Her smile is one of the best things about our girl.....I mean her smile, her golden heart, her blue twinkling eyes, her quick wit, her delicate hands, her giggle, the list could go on and on....but to see her smile, that is everything.

I remember going to her 2 month check up, her dr. asked us if she smiled.  I replied, "Well not on command....she smiles when she wants to."  When we left the office that day when she was two months old and a tiny 8 lbs, I remember thinking.....oh I am going to get her to smile on command!  On command????  Maybe not, but the smiles came after that appointment and have never stopped until February 9, 2011.....  Sounds dramatic???  Maybe, but her heart was broken and scared and James and I couldn't fix it.  3 months in a wheelchair, 3 cadavar bones.....lots of pain, and no more basketball.  That is a lot to take in for anybody, especially a delicate soul like Cali. 

When we walked out of the dr.'s office 19 days ago, James whispered in my ear, "Oh, we are taking her to Disneyland."  So, with 2 days to plan and only 2 days in the park we went.  We not only went, we surprised the crap out of our girl.  My Mama, James, and I all deserve Oscars and that is all I have to say about that.  Now Disneyland brought the smile back to our girl's face if only for a short time, it was so worth it.  We left on Friday the 11th and returned on the 14th....her surgery was on the 18th. 

Between the 14th and 18th we did all we could just to see that smile....Uno games, surprise dinner with Aunt Cassie, and lots of love.  We also had serious talks about everything she was scared about.  The 18th came and it was hard for everybody; Auntie Cassie (who brought the Starbucks after she went into surgery...thank you sister), Jamesie, Nana, all of our friends and family texting with good thoughts and prayers. 

We made it through true Smitty Style.....we made it with tears in our eyes, prayers, and hand holding.  Now, here she lays right beside me, my little babe.....she is a tough cookie for sure.  I would post pictures of said foot, but it looks mighty painful and a little bit like Frankenstein.  I am a little bit rusty with her wheelchair...the loading and unloading and pushing oh my!  This too shall pass and by summer our little lady will be back in the pool swimming her days away.