My dishwasher's possessed

one mom's attempt to find humor in the chaos

Watch Out for Flying Objects

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watch out for flying objects

Throughout my life, in good times and challenging ones, I’ve always been comforted by signs.

Whether it’s hearing my favorite song come on when I’m feeling a little sad, or getting a call from an old friend at a particularly difficult point in my life, I’ve always seen these events as the way God or the universe communicates with me and lets me know I”m not alone.

About seven years ago, I was going through one of my lowest, or at least most stressful times in my life.

Our daughter Lizzy was going through a particularly difficult period.

Her special needs have never been clearly diagnosed despite taking her to every  doctor and specialist  imaginable. Several MRIs showed significant brain damage, but no one could tell us what the findings meant.

Sometimes it looked as if she might be okay and would be able to function in a typical classroom with just a little extra help. Other times it seemed as if she was getting worse and we would get tests results that suggested we were dealing with something far more serious, perhaps even life threatening.

LIzzy was in kindergarten, and her behaviors were stumping her doctors, the school district, and her teachers. She was having a horrible time in her classroom, and I didn’t know where to turn, or what to do with her.

After some of her behaviors suggested she was having seizures, she was scheduled to have a 48 hour EEG in the hospital.

To make this time even more stressful, my father had a brain aneurism, and he was scheduled to have his surgery about a week after LIzzy’s stay in the hospital.

My father had become extremely important to me, not just as my dad. He was also my main support in helping me handle life with my kids.

We were not just dealing with Lizzy’s significant issues. I had therapists coming in and out of my house for two-year-old Peter, who was getting early intervention services for speech and developmental delays. Our oldest child, Tom, was getting vision and occupational therapy for his dyslexia and dysgraphia. It was very chaotic.

My husband has a long commute and is gone from 6 in the morning until 9 or 10 at night, and my mom’s work as a real estate broker keeps her very busy, my dad had become my most trusted support system.

I could always depend on him to watch one of the kids, lend me an extra hand, or make me laugh.

His condition was very serious, and I was terrified that I could lose him.

I pride myself on being pretty strong, but how much more could I take?

It was the day before LIzzy’s test, and I was running around getting everything ready so that I could leave Joe and the boys home for the weekend while I stayed with LIzzy for the two nights she would be in the hospital.

In the midst of my rushing around, I stopped for a second to catch my breath and relax for a minute. I was looking out our front window when I started to sob.

Crying does not come easily for me. I can count on my hands the times, I’ve had an ugly cry.

But here I was, in my living room crying like a baby.

Through my tears I started to pray, well actually beg, for answers and strength. I desperately needed a sign that I could handle all that was on my plate.

I continued to sob when all of sudden I heard a loud thump, almost a crash, that stunned me out of my tears.

The noise seemed to come from the bay window but I could see nothing.

I went outside to find a bird lying dead on my front patio.

Yes, as I was sobbing and begging for a sign from God, a bird crashed into my window.

One minute I was sobbing, and an instant later I was laughing.

I called my dad and explained what had just happened.

Now we were both laughing.

“Kathy, that little bird gave up his life for you. You must give him a proper burial.”

Which I did, laughing the whole time. I even managed to get him buried before the kids came home from school and Peter woke up from his nap.

As it turned out, my dad’s surgery was a success. And though the EEG did not give us any more answers into what was wrong with LIzzy, I was able to get her into a program that worked much better for her.

And for the record, no bird has flown into that window again.

 

 

Comments

  5. thedoseofreality says

    I have to honestly say that I am a huge believer in signs. Several years ago, we were going through an extremely stressful, difficult time in my family, and we needed some serious help. That help came in the form of a doctor whose last name was Lorde. Couldn’t even make that up if I tried.
    I love reading about your relationship with your dad…he sounds AMAZING, which is really no surprise given his FABULOUS daughter. :)-Ashley
    thedoseofreality recently posted…Would You Rather: Clean Sheets Or Dirty Sheets?My Profile

    • Kathy Radigan says

      Ashley I think we can chose to believe in them or not and I much prefer to believe in signs. I love that at a tough time you had a doctor named Lorde!! That is great!! Thank you!! xoxo

  6. Kristi Campbell says

    Wow, Kathy! Talk about a sign!! Oh my gosh! It sounds like you and your dad have a wonderful relationship and I’m so so glad for you that he was able to help out so much. For the record, I 100% believe in signs. Once, years and years ago, I was standing in the ocean. The waves were not strong at all and I was asking God and the universe for a sign on what to do. Just then, in the middle of my begging, a huge wave came and knocked me right down on my butt. I was laughing, too.
    Kristi Campbell recently posted…I’m Terrified of Kindergarten, and Thankful For This SummerMy Profile

  15. Gina Jacobs Thomas says

    You know that saying that we’re only given as much as we can handle? Clearly, you were also able to handle a bird funeral as well! With every post you write about your family, I can tell you have incredible strength and capacity for all that life throws at you. So glad to hear that your father’s surgery was successful!
    Gina Jacobs Thomas recently posted…Dealing With Pet LossMy Profile

    • Kathy Radigan says

      Gina the bird funeral saved me I think! I think we always have a choice, though sometimes we can’t see it. There was something so ridiculous to me about a bird flying in my window the minute I was begging for help that it gave the push to go on!! And it made me laugh!! Thanks so much!! xoxo

  16. One Funny Motha says

    In difficult times I look for signs, too. And I’ve had a few in my life. I’m glad to hear your father’s surgery went well & I’m glad despite few answers you’ve gotten your daughter into a good program. My son has been in sp. ed & had PT, OT & speech, but I can’t imagine the chaos of managing the services for 3 kids. And pretty much on your own given your husband’s crazy schedule. My husband commutes too but at least he gets home by 7. Don’t think I could do it otherwise.
    One Funny Motha recently posted…I Think Erma Would AgreeMy Profile

    • Kathy Radigan says

      Thanks! It does get challenging. That particular time especially! I think that’s why this story always makes me laugh. I was really at my end. When the bird died it just seemed like the type of sigh I would get!! Lol! Wishing you luck with your son! xoxo

    • Kathy Radigan says

      Thanks Amy! I remember reading once that many people think seeing cardinals is a sign of loved ones that have passed. Now I will be on the lookout for white moths too! 🙂 xo

Much thanks to Joseph Radigan, who besides being a great husband and father, also uses his talents to gently and ever so tactfully edit my blog. Joe is a business editor at Thomson Reuters in NY.
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