So Monkey had the worst three days he has had in almost 9 months this past weekend. We had been at the beach with my family. His regular seizure cycle happened to kick up Monday while we were there. He never really recovered from there. He had one good day when he knew he was at the beach on Thursday. We usually leave on Friday to avoid the traffic coming home.

Starting Friday night through Monday, he pretty much had a seizure every hour and sometimes more frequently than that. We lost count, but it was over 100.

This does not usually happen when all other variables are constant, not even on a bad week. Something was wrong. After three very long nights and two rescue meds that really didn’t do much other than slow the pace, we went to see his pediatrian on Tuesday morning.

Turns out, our gut was right. He had picked up a bacterial infection. We got him started on some antibiotics that afternoon and by the end of the week he was mostly himself again.

This is our life. Monkey cannot tell us what hurts. He does not run fever with infections. We guess, we lose sleep and follow our instincts.

What we do not get to do is overreact and freak out. Somethings in life, sure we can. But when these times hit, we have to prepare ourselves for the long haul.

These weeks are long and exhausting. And they will always be just around the corner.

As with most difficult times in life we have a choice, all of us. We can decide to do what we must and make difficult decisions with patience or we can shut down. Well the latter isn’t much of a decision for us. It would end pretty poorly for Monkey.

In times like this we rely on our God given intuition and faith.

Besides, we have Princess who must carry one her daily activity and Morgan with #3 to think about. The balancing act can be challenging, but we do what we must.

I tell you all of this not to brag or reassure you of our fortitude. I say this to encourage you.

Sometimes it can be challenging when we see a friend or family member go through the various storms in life. How we react with them is just as important as how we handle ourselves in these situations.

Pity is not the response. Be the positive to the tired. Be the voice of Christ’s comfort. You can do this, you will survive this with a little help from the creator of the universe.

Think of the disciples on the boat on the Sea of Galilee in the middle of a storm. They woke their teacher because they were afraid. He calmed the storm and then turned to ask where was their faith. He was on the boat! Right there! They still needed the reassurance of Jesus even while he rode the high waves with them.

So think of those in your life as they fight their battles. Do not meet their sorrow with more of the same. Remember that Jesus turned to calm the storm. Help bring peace to the storm.