Shots to the Heart

We recently had to take the kids to the doctor for their yearly physicals. And for Lucy that meant pre-kindergarten shots. We decided not to mention that part when we told the kids about the appointment. They both like their doctor and the nursing staff at the clinic, so they didnt really suspect that anything was up. 

The time came, and we piled in the car in a hurry, since we are generally always late. Hudson and Lucy naive to what lay ahead, excitedly jabbering about what stickers they would pick from the sticker box. G and I stopped and got them each a smoothie from the hospital cafe and skipped up to the appointment. 

Everything was going fine, Hudson was flirting with the girls at the reception desk and Lucy was showing off her stylish (self picked) outfit. They called our names and in we went.

Lucy went first. She impressed the doctor with her abc skills, sight reading, and shape recognition. Then she got a little bit anxious and started to jump around the exam room. That's when things started to get interesting. I stood up to settle Lucy down when she put her hands up and said, very convincingly, "no! don't hit me!"

Great. Perfect. My actress of a daughter everybody. Thanks. A lot. Thank god the doctor laughed it off with us and suggested that the nurse take Lucy to other room to check her eyes while we moved on to Hudson.

Hudson proudly began to answer the doctors questions. Not as impressing as Lucy. When asked how old he was, he responded proudly "3!" When asked about what color the doctor was wearing he shouted "black!" And when asked to do his abc's he started with, "a,b,c, x,p,w,z!" Can't win 'em all, can ya? Considering the fact that he is 2, the doctor was wearing a green shirt, and well, we all know our abc's, except Hudson I guess. 

Just when you though the fun was over, the good doctor mentioned that word we all hate, shots. Yep she had to say it, didnt she? That's when 3 nurses walked in and asked me to take Hudson out into the hall while G stayed with little Lucy. I agreed, not wanting to have to be the one to hold her down.

Having prepared for this moment, I had packed some of the kids favorite lollipops for diversion. It worked on Hudson for about 3 seconds and didnt work for Lucy- at all. She saw right through us and her fear was crippling. I melted. Hearing the screams, Hudson started to cry. He tried so hard to get back into that room. His little hands grabbed my face as he starred into my eyes, with tears in his, he cried, "mom help my giggy!" As I held his sad little body in my arms, I cried with him. 

When the door finally opened, about a lifetime later, Hudson ran in- pushing through the crowd of nurses. He hugged Lucy and said, ever so sweetly, "it's ok giggy, no more shots."

G and I stood there, crying. How precious that this little boy loved his sister so much. How strong for this little boy to stand up to those mean nurses and protect his big sissy. I felt so much pride for them at that moment. Lucy embraced Hudson and they hugged for what seemed like a beautiful eternity. At that point nothing else mattered. These angels even had the nurses crying. 

All of this love and beauty lasted until the nurses offered the kids more lollipops and they began to fight over colors. Nothing lasts forever, right?

But I have the memory. It made me wish that I was closer with my siblings. It made me hopeful for them as forever friends. It made me happy.