Monday, February 25, 2013

A MORE IMPORTANT DREAM



By Chad Morris

One of my dreams is coming true. Cragbridge Hall, Book 1: The Inventor’s Secret hits shelves in just over a week. But lately, I don’t think much about it. You see, that dream is being overshadowed by a much more important one—that my daughter gets all the chances in the world. 

Let me explain. My wife started noticing that my nine-year-old girl would tuck her hand in next to her side subconsciously—a strange way to relax. Then, one day as my girl helped in the kitchen—which she loves to do—my wife tossed her an avocado. It hit her chest and fell to the floor.

“Why didn’t you catch it?” my wife asked.

“That hand doesn’t work very well,” my girl responded.

So my wife called the doctor, who told us to take her to Primary Children’s Hospital immediately. An MRI later, we found out . . . well . . . my little girl has a golf-ball-sized tumor pressing up against her brain.  

You can imagine all that followed: plenty of tears, fears, questions, sleepless nights, prayers, and sucking it up to stay positive in front of a scared nine-year-old. A girl with a quick smile. A girl who loved being on a basketball team even though the only time she touched the ball was when she threw it in. A girl who said, “Mom, guess who is going to hilarify you? Me! Look I drew pictures of babies with mustaches.” A girl who is shy even among friends, but who will sing a solo crisp and clear in front of hundreds of people. A girl who works slowly on her school assignments, but seems to get everything right. 

To sum it up, a part of me is terrified. There is a long list of possible complications. She could lose portions of her eyesight, some coordination in the left side of her body, and might have to be on a slew of shots and pills for the rest of her life. I wish that was the entire list.
  
But I’m also hopeful, really hopeful. The type of tumor my daughter has isn’t usually cancerous, though it is very problematic. One of the best neurosurgeons in the nation is set to remove as much of it as he safely can tomorrow morning. Plus, I’ve been surprised at the hundreds of people who offered help and prayers. I offer my own barrage of prayers, and so do my wife and four boys. And I believe it all makes a difference. 

So, my book is coming out, but I don’t think about it much. Writing, you play second fiddle to a beautiful brave nine-year-old girl. You’ll have to wait and see what time I have for you. I have a more important dream right now.
 

42 comments:

  1. Best of luck to you and your family. We'll add you to our prayers.

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  2. This really touched me, I've been thinking about you guys a lot and praying for you. I have full confidence that the Lord will bless you in the best of ways. I wish I could help you more, but just know I'm thinking about you as she goes into surgery tomorrow. *hugs!*

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  3. My thoughts are with you and your family. Bless that little girl. I'll be praying for her.

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  4. I'm sending my prayers, too! What a difficult thing to deal with for your family. Thanks, too, for the reminder that there are more important things than our writing goals (lately I've been obsessing too much about perceived failures there).

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  5. I'm praying for your sweet little girl. She must be so brave - all of you must be so brave - to face this. Writing is wonderful, but nothing matters like family. You'll all be in my prayers.

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  6. Very touching. Lots of prayers are joining yours to help all your dreams come true. Especially this most important one. :)

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  7. You and your daughter are in my thoughts. Your book looks great so I'm sure it will be a huge financial success. I also hope that your daughter's health improves. Being sick is awful at any age.

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  8. I'll be thinking of and praying for your family.

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  9. My heart is so heavy for you and Shelley. But my hope and faith is strong that you will make it through. My prayers start now!

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  10. Shelly and Chad, I'm so sorry. You and your sweet girl will be in my thoughts and prayers.

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  11. Oh, Chad! Shelly! I hope your daughter has a successful procedure. You didn't know this, but my nephew had a tumor, so I am no stranger to what your family is going through. Our thoughts are with you.

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  12. Add my prayers to your soldiers lifting you up. Your story hits every parent in the heart.

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  13. Oh my goodness you guys--I can't imagine how you are feeling right now. We will definitely pray for your sweet daughter, and for both of you.

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  14. This made me cry. I'm praying for your daughter, too. I hope all goes well tomorrow morning.

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  15. You guys are the most amazing family. I just love you all! You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Good luck with the surgery tomorrow. Lots of love and hugs to all of you.

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  16. Love you Guys! We will be praying like crazy for Maddie and you all.

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  17. I hope the surgery goes well. What terrifying thing to go through. My thoughts are with you and your family.

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  18. Prayers and hugs and wonderful thoughts to your daughter and your family during this time, Chad. And though you aren't thinking much about it now, huge congratulations on your upcoming book release!

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  19. Wishing you all strength -- even in this time of stress and terror, you are an excellent writer. Sending thoughts and hope your way!

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  20. Thoughts are with your family Chad. Hoping your little one is well on the way to recovery by the time you read this.

    EJ

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  21. Praying for your little girl. I hope she's already much better by the time you see this comment.

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  22. Yes, Chad. Your little girl's situation would so overshadow everything else. I'm glad the prognosis is looking good. My mother had a brain tumor. It didn't kill her, but complications following the surgery did. My prayers are with you guys. *hugs*

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  23. Oh my heart goes out to you and your family! My prayers will go up for you! I have a 10-year-old daughter and also a debut MG novel coming out, and I cannot imagine what you are going through right now. Psalm 23

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  24. I've come back and read this post 2 or 3 times now.. always start to compose something and then stop because my words seem clunky. I haven't gone through exactly what you're facing, but I've slept many nights in a PICU beside my daughter's bed, and I know the emotions and fears that go along with it. You both, and especially Maddie, are in all of our prayers.

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  25. Keep your positive outlook! Your daughter is in my thoughts and prayers.

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  26. I've been thinking about your little girl and praying for her and your family.

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  27. I've been thinking about your sweet family all week, and hope you know how many prayers are being sent your way. Hugs to you and your most important dreams.

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  28. Hello Chad,

    Your family's story is such a touching one. As a mother of a little girl who'll turn 9 this summer, I can only imagine the agony you and your wife are going through. Just remember that when you're weak, that's when you're the strongest because God's power is resting on you, and that He always works for the good of those who love Him.

    You and yours will be in my daily prayers. I believe your little girl will triumph. God bless you all.

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  29. Hi Chad ... all the very best and I do hope the surgery went well and your little girl will have the best life possible - with many thoughts to you and the family at this time, and many healing prayers to your daughter ... Hilary

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  30. Hi Chad -- you don't know me, but I learned about your story and book release from Peggy Eddleman's blog. Your book sounds fantastic -- perfect for my ten year old son. Will be ordering a copy today.

    Praying for healing for your daughter. Sending love and light!

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  31. Hi Chad and Shelly. You don't know me (unless you spend a lot of time looking at the wanted wall at the post office -- ha ha). I am a friend of Mindy Raf. I don't have a mustache pic to send along, but I *do* send along my very best wishes and tons of powerful positive vibes for your daughter's recovery.

    All the best,

    Paul M. Bauer
    Perspiring Writer
    Jersey City

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  32. Thanks for sharing your story. It has moved me more than I can express. Writing is a very important dream for many of us, but our families are always the most important dream. I'll be praying for Maddie, along with the rest of the blogiverse. God bless.

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  33. You and you're family are in my prayers! I have a tumor right behind my left eye, so I can at least understand the basics of what you're going through. I am hoping you all make it out of this scary situation ok.

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  34. Hi, I came across your blog through a share on facebook. I'm so sorry for what you are going through. But I know exactly how you are feeling. We went through the exact same thing with our son almost 2 years ago, who was also 9 at the time. He had a tennis ball size tumor in his cerebellum. I know all the fears you must be having, all the 'what ifs'. We were also at Primary Children's. You are in good hands and they will take good care of your daughter. Just wanted you to know you are not alone (I remember feeling so alone while we were there). If you ever have questions or need to vent, please feel free to contact me. I'll be keeping you all in my thoughts.

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    Replies
    1. I should have told you how to find me..on facebook my name is Cindy Phillips Poore.

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  35. Praying for your daughter and your entire family, Chad!

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  36. Praying for all of you. Bought your book for my kids, too. Best of luck.

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  37. Praying for your family.

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  38. Best of luck to yo and your family. I hope everything works out.

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