Stitches

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Writing this post is rather traumatic than therapeutic but life is not just smileys all the time. We regret that this thing happened to our daughter but we believe in a Sovereign God and that everything happens for a reason. I am just praying and pleading God that this is the last accident that we have to face in our entire lives.

I took a leave from work yesterday so that we can attend Ashrie’s birthday celebration which was hosted by her school. It will be for all April celebrators and I do not want to miss it. After that we have planned to visit Singapore’s S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World to make full advantage of my day-off since the school event was scheduled to be finished by lunch. But unexpected things happen.

The night before after we had our dinner and we were already washing the dishes and tidying up the house, Ashrie fell from her tricycle and cut her lower chin with the empty tissue roll she was holding. We rushed her to the nearest hospital where she needed to have her wound stitched. She was calm, in fact very active as if nothing happens while we were in the taxi and in the hospital until she saw the needle which was about four hour later. It was the most excruciating, agonizing ten minutes of our lives. It broke our hearts to see and hear her go through that ordeal. I commend my wife for being strong (she was with Ashrie inside the emergency room) although she admitted she’s about to burst into tears at the second stitch.

Ashrie fell soundly asleep in the taxi on our way home. It was already past 1 am. She woke up around 10 am.

When we reached home, there was a feeling of shock, relief, regret, thankfulness, peace, sadness. It was a mix of deep emotions I could not describe. My wife and I talked about our thoughts until the wee hours of the morning. When words weren’t enough, we cried. For our daughter to be hurt, to be in pain is the “one” thing that we never want to happen. But it did.

We just thank God that our daughter is safe now, that her face is not scathed and that everything is alright. Thank God for His Grace that sees us through.

We want her to be a strong kid, and indeed she is. We want to empower her even more as a young girl and have more confidence in herself. Her bravery and courage to even smile while at the hospital gave us so much strength when we needed it. She’s one of a kind and we are so proud of our precious Ashrie.

Ashrie is now on a one-week medical leave and her stitches are due Friday for removal. May the Lord be with her and bless her.