Life in a Small Town

Tonight, as Jesse and I were on our way home from the hospital, a house in our town was on fire. The road was blocked by cop cars and firetrucks. We sat there for a few minutes until the cars that we're coming behind us backed up and turned around...making room for us to back up and turn around to take a different road home. As we were sitting there, all I could think about were the people who owned that home who were now watching their house be slowly destroyed. Then, I looked around only to see the firemen working veryyy slowly and people from the town all gathering around to watch. It was literally minutes until TONS of people were driving, parking, and gathering on the other side of the street to watch. I was in awe...I couldn't believe that these people had NOTHING better to do than to just stand there. I mean, really!? come on... find something better to do. I'm sure that made the owner's of the home feel so much better seeing all those people just standing and watching. Ridiculous! I couldn't believe it...but then again, I shouldn't have expected anything different from a small town! This place amazes me everyday...and tonight was another constant reminder of how we definitely need to move away from this place. The entire town was filled with smoke in the air, and it seemed that half the town had nothing else better to do. I even saw one lady walking up with a soda in one hand like it was a show. I literally wanted to punch her in the face. This town angers me so much...and this just really put me in a bad mood. I understand that events like that make people want to stop and stare...but then, would all of these people really want others standing and watching!? I'm thinking NO! 


Anyway, I was thinking today and that's not always the best idea. Somethings been bothering me lately and I feel it's time I speak my own little opinion. It was called to my attention that someone didn't want to come visit Gabriel in the hospital in fear that something "bad" might happen to their child if they did. Like Gabriel being in the NICU is a disease or something. I want to make it abundantly clear that my child does not have a disease, disorder, or some other life-threatening illness. If he did, we'd love him just the same. However, he was simply born 2 1/2 months early. It's in his best interest to stay in the hospital to get the proper care until he's ready to come home. I can't explain to you how hard it's been not to call this person and give her a piece of my mind. But, like Jesse says, some things are better left unsaid. And then it occurred to me... this person obviously has NO idea what we have gone through and are still going through. And how could they? I don't expect anyone to relate to our situation, unless they've been through it too. There aren't many families who have their child stay in the NICU for so long. I know this. And the reason I know this is because we received a package from the hospital which was from an organization that is primarily for families of "micro-preemie" babies. Like I said, I don't expect anyone to relate to our situation, but that doesn't mean that we anticipate anyone to be so rude and cold to our situation either. Seriously!!!! 


With that being said, we definitely appreciate all of the love and support from our actual friends and family throughout this whole process. Today, however made me realize how much our baby boy is loved. He had so many visitors come to see him this afternoon... Friends that already loved and supported him even before meeting him for the first time today. I then started thinking, why am i complaining about this one person that doesn't want to see my beautiful baby boy? He has sooooo many people who come to visit, call, text, and email about him every single day. He also has tons of people who pray for him daily who also have yet to meet him. I'd say if there's only one person that doesn't want to see him out of the many that do...we're doing pretty good! :) 


Jesse and I were talking about the nursing staff tonight. They're job seems so relaxed...but then we realized...that's only what we see. We realized that these wonderful people are caring for Gabriel day in and day out. 24/7. Can you imagine how stressful but rewarding their job must be!? I can't imagine having to care for someone else's child for that long of a time...knowing that their well-being rested in my hands. Needless to say, our respect for the wonderful nursing staff and doctor's at the hospital increased by about 100%. We were talking about what we could get them all to show how thankful we are for them. Though, we do have until Gabe is released to decide this...we decided to start brainstorming now. Honestly, what do you get someone that has been so great with your child and cared for him for so long? I know that simple card can speak volumes...but a card just doesn't seem to justify how thankful we truly are. Any ideas!?