What are YOU gonna do about it?

This school year has been very hectic for us. The girls find themselves worn out by this five-days-a-week schedule. And because they are exposed to so many other kids – and then cross-share the germs of their classmates with each other – it has been a doozy of illnesses in our household. With Kennedy’s complicated health history, catching a small “bug” can easily turn into an urgent care or ER visit. It does not help that my almost-four-year-old is non-verbal. As much as we try to troubleshoot her ailments ourselves, how we wish she could tell us what hurts and what she needs us to do to ease her discomforts. And as her symptoms appear to worsen, so does the level of anxiety Grace feels.

Having witnessed her infant sister’s long hospitalization when she was only two herself, her concern for Kennedy’s health and well-being is great. She always needs reassurance that doctor appointments are “just check-ups” and often worries that Kennedy “will have to sleep in the hospital.” We try to assuage her fears but at the same time, there are many factors out of our control when Kennedy is ill. So, to empower her in moments when she feels helpless, we encourage her to pray.

Grace is the best prayer warrior because she only ever adds to her list, never takes away. Until today, she continues to pray for Miss Elena, a friend of mine who was diagnosed, treated, and beat cancer a few years ago. She also includes the family of her pre-school teacher Mrs. Garcia after she died last fall. People commend her during mass and just a few days ago, a woman at a restaurant said she teared up watching Grace lead us in “Thank you, Jesus, for our food. Please help the families who are hungry.”

But of all the people Grace prays for, Kennedy has prime billing, especially as she asks God for her sister to “walk and talk already.” It is something she wants desperately. Almost impatiently. So instead of just waiting for things to happen, she acts.

Due to schedules and convenience, we often take Grace with us to Kennedy’s appointments. She has attended dozens of therapy sessions and medical appointments in the last four years. She is patient and easily entertains herself in the waiting room. But when she permitted to enter, she willingly participates. When she was a toddler herself, she would volunteer to help with G-tube feeds or ask to hold the nebulizer mask during breathing treatments. She was an effective alarm siren anytime Kennedy would tug on her feeding tube and quietly announce in the car whenever the baby had fallen asleep in her rear-facing seat. 

Until today, she encourages Kennedy and cheers her on constantly. At home, she often initiates therapy exercises and watches sign language videos to help her sister communicate with us. I cannot help but wonder if she knows that when she prays for “Kennedy to feel better” that she has a direct hand at making that happen... that she is one reason her sister has come as far as she has this quickly.

Grace reminds me constantly how to live according to the Catholic tenet of faith through works. Through the persistence of her prayers, Grace demonstrates her faith that someday Kennedy will walk and talk. But at the same time, she isn’t going to wait around for things to take place. Instead this little mover-and-shaker will make sure it happens, even if she must do it all by herself.

If that doesn’t motivate you this Monday, I don’t know what will…

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

(James 2:17)