If there is one word to describe my attitude the last 24 hours it is THANKFUL. Yesterday I experienced a parenting nightmare. Faith fell down the stairs. I was watering my plants and heard her crashing down. I was sick! She really was a trooper though. She didn't cry that long at all. But her head looked pretty rough. I was concerned but she didn't show any signs of trauma other than her banged up head. If you look closely on the left hand side you can see the imprint of our carpet.
I am so thankful that God protected my daughter. It is a horriblle feeling to realize your child experienced pain because of your mistake. I thought the gate was closed-but it wasn't... I know that this situation could have turned out much worse. Everytime I think about what could of happened I tear up and once again offer a prayer of thanksgiving for my baby girl's safety. As soon as Faith quit crying I gathered her and Grace up and began to pray. Immidiately a memory from my childhood popped into my head. When I was a little girl I had to cross the highway when I got of the bus. Because I was so young a highschool girl was assigned to help me cross the highway to my mom. One day the girls wasn't paying attention and a car illegally passed the bus. We were almost hit by a car. I will never forget how rattled my mom was (although I remember not understanding what the big deal was!) She took my brother and I and prayed thanking God for keeping me safe. I'm also thankful I had a mom who taught me what to do when a tragedy is avoided- PRAY.
I know it may take some more prayer to work through the seriour mommy guilt I am feeling. But even my guilt is overshadowed by my sincere grattitude the Lord watched over Faith. Here she is banged up head and all. (She doesn't look like she knows what the big deal is either!)
