Love Finds a Way: Connecting with My 2-Year-Old While in the Hospital
When you're going through leukemia treatment, germs become your worst enemies. My immune system was in shambles, making it impossible for me to be around people without them suiting up like they were part of a hazmat team. Being a mere two years old, my daughter was a walking germ factory. Moreover, the hospital setting was far from ideal for a toddler.
As the days and weeks dragged on, being separated from my dear daughter was a challenge like no other. I longed for that motherly connection, and I knew I had to find a way to bridge the distance, to create a bond that didn't rely solely on in-person visits.
Skype sessions were the norm in the evenings. It was during one of these virtual reunions that my daughter mesmerized me with her endless stream of silly scenarios. This kid had an imagination like no other, and then it clicked in my brain and a spark was lit.
What if, I pondered, I could turn her wacky imaginings into pictures for her to color? It was my light bulb moment. I fell asleep that night inspired and filled with hope. The next day, with the morning sun streaming through my hospital window, I grabbed a pencil and paper and I sketched out her wacky scenario: ladybugs in a boat with a crocodile, wearing puffy coats, coming ashore for some pizza and peas. Aren't kids just the best?
After painstakingly inking my sketch to transform it into a coloring book masterpiece, I snapped a photo and emailed it home to be printed. That evening our Skype session was transformed into a veritable art exhibition as my little one proudly showcased her vibrant, colored creation. Her excitement radiated through the screen and filled my heart with joy. It was a hit. This newly blazed path to connect with my daughter was a success.
That seemingly simple act of turning her wild musings into tangible artwork for her to color did wonders for our mother-daughter bond. It brought me joy and relief, knowing that even in the midst of my hospital stay, love had found a way to shine through and our connection was strong and vibrant.
And so it continued throughout my time in that sterile ward. My daughter would conjured up new scenarios, fueling my creative fire. The images I drew back then still bring a smile to my face today, serving as a reminder that love always finds a way.
Let this be a lesson to us all, don't ever underestimate the power of creativity, imagination, and a Skype session fueled by a feisty two-year-old’s imagination. No matter how daunting the obstacles we face, when we tap into our inner wellspring of affection and ingenuity, we can conquer anything that life throws our way.
