Clare's home!

Spring has sprung in San Francisco. It is a perfect day here today. The sun is shining, the flowers are in bloom and alls right with the world. This is the garden in front of the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park this morning.

Things just feel good today.My niece Clare arrived home last night after spending the last year in Ireland. Everybody is so excited that she's back, especially her mother. I haven't seen Clare yet because she's checking in at the new job she starts next week but I did get a full report from my sister as we walked around the Park this morning.  We were talking about all the cousins and how things are falling into place for so many of them. There are probably 10 grandchildren in their 20s and they are finding jobs and making things happen. It's a great thing to witness.

It used to be hard for me to think like this because I know those opportunities will never be there for Maggie, but it really isn't hard anymore. Nothing has changed with Maggie - I mean she doesn't have a paper route or anything - but I no longer compare her life to others because there is simply no comparison. I realize now that Maggie is living her life and loving every minute of it. For her every day is like the day her cousin comes home after being gone for a year because she is always delighted. Just check her out with her grandpa, she can hardly contain her joy.

Coming to this realization obviously makes things a lot easier. Instead of worrying about Maggie's limitations, I often find myself a little envious of her outlook on life.

Enigmagic

We are heading up to UCSF bright and early Monday morning. Maggie has to have another broncoscopy. They will put a little camera down into Maggie's lungs and have a look see. She has to be under anesthesia for the exam, but it is painless for her. The anesthesia is the toughest part, but that is one thing with which Maggie has not had any problem. Still, it's no fun, that's for sure. No fun for her and no fun for me.

Maggie's lungs and condition is a source of great mystery to all involved in her care.She is an enigma. The trach, which undoubtedly saved her life, also creates its own set of problems. It's an irritant in an area of her body that can't really take it. We face a constant struggle to keep her healthy.

But it's no struggle at all to keep her happy.   She is the most joy filled person I have ever encountered. It is magical. I wish I could bottle and sell what she has, because people would line up to get it.

Maggie is an enigma. She's enigmagic.