It happened.
The moment Ross and I have been dreading since we received Cliff’s diagnosis.
His tiny heart was shattered.
His sweet spirit was crushed.
The reality of his situation knocked him down.
No parent ever wants to see their four year old in pain.
No one wants to see their child hurting.
And the worse part:
There is nothing we can do about it.
There are no band-aids for this boo-boo.
No ointment to make it all better.
The only thing Ross and I can do is pray that
God will guide us to help Cliff understand.
We were walking into Church a few weeks ago.
Cliff was waving and saying “Hey!” to everyone who walked passed us.
He worked so hard to walk all the way from the car to his Sunday School classroom.
As soon as he looked into the classroom it happened.
Tears took over that captivating smile.
We passed him off the his wonderful Sunday School teacher.
And went to “Big Church.”
I knew something wasn’t right.
We left Church a few minutes early and went to pick Cliff up.
He was playing with playdough.
That smile we all know and love was back!
He must have had an “off day,” right?!
While on the way to lunch we asked Cliff
“Why were you crying at Sunday School today buddy?!”
He replied
“Because the other kids were running around.”
I couldn’t breathe.
Someone just sucked all of the air out of the car.
I could hear my heart breaking into a million pieces.
This was the moment we dreaded for the past 2 1/2 years.
This moment, right now.
I gathered my thoughts, said a quick prayer and before I knew it…
“Well guess what you are going to do next Sunday Mr. Cliff Potts?!
YOU are going to get in that walker and run around with your friends!”
Came out of my mouth.
So smoothly. So matter of fact.
I looked over at Ross.
He looked back at me through his tears, shocked.
Then he chimed in
“Yea Buddy! You WILL run around with your friends next week!”
God took over.
He knew we needed Him.
He was right there helping us give
Cliff the tools he needs to be included.
When Ross and I felt so alone.
So lost.
Unable to find the words to help Cliff,
He was there.
And the next Sunday – He ran around with his friends
and flashed that contagious smile.
Please keep Cliff in your prayers.
Please ask the Lord to continue to guide me and Ross to
have the tools to help Cliff as he grows and faces new challenges.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
Psalm 32:8
Happy Sunday!
I am thrilled to be back!
My heart is breaking for all of you but you handled it well! Sadly, this won’t be the only instance something like this happens. We have had them with Noah over the years and you are never really prepared but you just do the best you can just like you did! Hugs Natalie!
I know this heartache all to well. Each time my heartbreaks so much for our little guy who truthfully there is nothing we can do but make his confidence huge and make him believe that he is awesome despite his teeny size. This year was the hardest when all I could do was agree with his statement.
Hey Natalie! You are truly one of the strongest mamas I know. You handled that wonderfully. I’m sending a prayer your way right now.
Oh my goodness that brought tears to my eyes. You all are doing an amazing job! We definitely keep you all in my prayers!
Ginger
ps I’m soooooooooooo glad your back! We’ve missed YOU!!!!
As I read this I was reminded of this scripture:
For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say. Luke 12:12
I’m glad the Holy Spirit gave you the quick knowledge of what to say. My heart breaks for your little guy but he is blessed to be part of a loving family with such strong faith. You guys are in my prayers. ~ Barbara
Oh, sweet Natalie.
Wish I could give you a big hug …. and tell you that you are an AMAZING mommy to BOTH of your kids and that they are LUCKY to have you!!!
I know I’m on the other side of the country – and I don’t even know you … but I DO know that you are the PERFECT person for this job!
God must think so, too — to give YOU this circumstance. (I probably wouldn’t handle it half as well!)
Just keep looking UP and know that HE is there!
~Bec
My heart is aching for you and your family right now. This post brought tears to my eyes.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
God is amazing and He will help you and your family get through this.
Natalie, Cliff is one strong boy and has even stronger parents in you and Ross. You are his rock and God is yours. God gave Cliff that amazing smile and strong spirit and if you keep believing in Cliff, he will believe in himself. Keep up your amazing faith and loving parenting!
Jenny
This just breaks my heart. I don’t know that I could be so strong. You’re such an amazing mother! I’m praying for you and your family.
P.S. Thank you for sharing that verse. It happens to be exactly what I needed right now.
Glad to see you are back!! I’ve missed reading your posts everyday…they usually in some way cheer me up or get me motivated
. Your post today brought tears to my eyes but you handled it wonderfully…you and Ross seem to be such strong parents and those two kiddos, soon to be three, are so lucky to have you. I will be praying for your family and hope that God can make Cliff just as comfortable playing with those kids in his walker as he will be one day without it. Good luck and keep up the wonderful work!!
~Hollis~
I read this post sitting in my church parking lot this morning, and it was an incredible reminder of the power of God and how he is always there in our time of need. Thank you so much for sharing the difficult parts of your journey. Thoughts and prayers are with you as you continue to navigate Cliff’s journey
lifting your sweet boy and family in prayer. Your on my heart! HUGS!
That little boy of yours is so cute and sweet. So sorry that he has to go through this. It is hard for you as well.
This week my son’s nephew is undergoing yet another surgery due to a hip problem. He has had numerous surgeries to remove these cysts that keep reoccurring. The last two haven’t gone well. They cysts are not letting the bone grow…..it is deforming it. ow his leg keeps breaking. He has two brothers. In there house it is all about sports. To an extreme. They are putting in a rod that will go inside his femur. My mother just had this. It isn’t a surgery for a little growing boy (9). I think they just don’t know what to do.
My kids grew up with a boy that was in a wheelchair. He had some kind of cancer in his back that wasn’t life threatening but couldn’t be removed. He tried all kind of therapy and he decided that he didn’t want to go through all that as he was comfortable in his wheelchair. He now is a doctor at a university hospital and loved by everyone. He recently married the most beautiful girl.
I am telling you this so that you know that I understand. I also have a disabled (mentally) son. It’s hard when you aren’t like the others. So hard.
I will pray for your SWEET boy and pray that God gives you the peace that you need right now.
I like to remember that God will never give you more than you can handle, which leads me to believe that you are a very strong person. Cliff is such a blessing in your life, and we can all learn so much from him. You have a beautiful son, inside & out, and I will be sure to keep your sweet family in my prayers.
What a blessing this family is. So proud you knew who to look to when times get tough. Keep it up Mama and know we are praying for you. God Bless!
What spirit in such a little boy! He will grow up to be an incredible man! I am keeping your family in my prayers.
I will absolutely keep all of you in my prayers. You are blessed with great love in your lives. A lot of people haven’t been able to come close to touching the love that overflows in all of you. What a blessing!!
Welcome back! I missed you! Except now I’m crying. I love reading your stories and how strong you are and how much faith you have. Can’t wait to be your roomie!
Jen
I will surely be rooting for sweet Cliff here! You and your family are an inspiration & I know that you will give Cliff all the amazing love and opportunity he needs to flourish! Lots of love to you & yours!