Some people spell relief r-o-l-a-i-d-s (although some may say it's more relief to let nature take its course in that regard). For a teenager, it might be popping a painful zit. For others, it's having the brakes on the car work and not getting in an accident. It may even be tweezing that one last annoying hair out of your ear.
Whatever relief is to you, I don't know that words can adequately express the relief I felt after getting the call from Matti this morning that the scans from yesterday were all clear.
In fact, I didn't even realize how much relief it was going to be to me until I was brought to tears a little bit later. It wasn't the reaction I expected, but relief and gratitude are the most apt words.
I don't know if there will come a time when I will take for granted clear scans, any more. I don't know if my reaction will be this visceral every time, either. But, it was only 333 days ago that a different phone call brought me to tears for a completely opposite reason.
What has Matti been up to the past 3 months? Getting stronger. Working harder. Kicking butt and taking names.
Her Make-a-Wish trip has been documented, but that was a great week. It was magical and such a welcome break and respite from all that our family had been through the previous 9 months. Here is a sample of that trip:
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| Hollywood Studios |
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| Magic Kingdom |
Then, she was back to school. And she was able to get the things done she needed to stay current in all her classes. She started applying for scholarships and schools and she was accepted to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona.
You may also know that she did Solo and Ensemble and then Regional Solo and Ensemble. She received highest ratings in both, receiving Command Performance in Regionals. That means that she placed somewhere in the top 10% of all female vocalists in the region (the 3rd largest school district in the country). Also, the ensemble she sang with received Command, as well.
Now we wait to hear what happens with All-State.
Then, last weekend, she auditioned for the music department at NAU (which determines her acceptance to the music program, as well as scholarship opportunities and class placements for theory and others.
And, she killed it.
Yes, I am extremely proud of how she has continued to do what she does and to do it well in the face of her struggles. She has worked hard to develop talents God has given her. And that is enough, right there, to elicit swelling in my heart and chest, let alone overcoming what she has had to in order to get to this point.
