I LAUGHED OUT LOUD!

I follow the blog of a family whose youngest child was born a little over a year ago with HLHS which, in simple language, means that he was born with part of his heart missing. This family has been through many, many medical challenges this past year and the year has been very difficult for them and their other three children. However, this blog has three things that make it very entertaining and exciting to read: 1) Both parents are excellent writers, 2) The whole family is VERY creative, and 3) They all have a HUGE sense of humor.

Today's post tells about the family finally being called in to get their H1N1 flu shots and they took pictures as each family member rolled up a sleeve and got the shot. I laughed until I had tears running down my face at their antics.

I feel very privileged to have "met" this family through their blog. I know the grandmother who lives here and we often go to church together to pray for little Rudy, but I am very grateful to have gotten to know this family of hers!

BEAUTIFUL SONGS

For several months I have been following the blog, Rudy's Beat. The blog is an endearing, and often heartbreaking description of a family (mother, father and three older children) coping with a critically ill baby named Rudy who has spent his first 18 weeks of life in an ICU unit. Both parents take turns writing about their experiences and both are excellent writers. They also include pictures and sometimes videos of their moments with Rudy which have made me feel like I was a part of the family and the fight for Rudy's life.

I first came to Rudy's Beat because I know Rudy's grandmother and we often meet at Mass and pray for Rudy. I also wear the blue bracelet that says "Rudy's captured my heart" that a family friend created to help us remember to pray for Rudy and his family.

The family recently experienced the death of their 100-year-old Uncle Rixie and the memorial service was last week. Trish, Rudy's mother, sang at the memorial service and Rolf, Rudy's father, gave the eulogy. Rolf recorded the songs that Trish sang at the memorial service and she has the most wonderful voice. The songs she sang were so moving that I had tears running down my face as I listened. After Trish's songs Rolf included a copy of the eulogy he gave for this remarkable man who was such a huge influence in their lives--especially Rolf's. I could learn many life lessons from what Rolf said in his eulogy about his Uncle Rixie.