So sweet Sarah turned 6 today! It probably wasn’t the most memorial of birthdays, but thanks to Jason there were balloons and pancakes for her in the morning, and after breakfast Grandma and Sarah walked to the hospital to see Ava and I. And there was a little something waiting here for Sarah….
Her very own bravery beads…
Here at Sick Kids, the kids can collect bravery beads, and there is a different bead for every test, procedure, poke etc, that a child might get. And we’ve been collecting the beads for Ava while she’s been here. And as you can imagine, Ava’s bravery bead strand is about 3 feet long by now, which is kinda makes me sad in a way, but then there are kids here with miles and miles of beads.
Anyhow, so Sarah really liked Ava’s beads and whenever she saw them she would say, “But I’m brave too!” referring to all the pokes and needles she gets now with her diabetes. So when I was talking to my wonderfully kind nurse Jessica yesterday about how Sarah loved the beads and how I was thinking of starting my own version of bravery beads for Sarah, Jessica said that she deserved the Sick Kids beads because she was a patient here, so she put the above beads together for Sarah while I was gone for dinner last night. Sarah loved it. And it didn’t take her long to string them up…
And then I had bought her a ton of beads to have at home so that she can add a bead for every finger poke and needle she gets… and yes there are going to be a lot, but hey, if it makes her feel better than I will buy her beads until she’s 20. 
Then she got some cuddle time in with Ava..
She had held her earlier in the week as well…
And Sarah is a such a good big sister. At one point Sarah and I had gone out to get her a snack and when we came back Sarah wanted me to get her some water and ice from the kitchenette, so she said to me, “You go get the water, I’m going to the room to check on Ava.” I love it.
She also had presents and cake – and yes, diabetics can still have cake – and I think she enjoyed her low-key birthday with her family.
Oh our Sarah. You are brave and so strong and so sweet. Your daddy and I love you very very much and are so blessed to have you.
Happy 6th Birthday Sweetheart!
