Lashed By Storms

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version,

Chapter Nineteen

A Disrupted Routine

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

            Anne stopped unpacking from their trip to Russia, to schedule an appointment for Aaron with their pediatrician. Mike agreed to go along.

           “When Anne and I took him to his first appointment, we had lots of questions and concerns.

            “It took Aaron a while, with Noah’s help, to learn how to play. Our oldest had plenty of toys, and Aaron would just sit and watch. We didn’t have to teach Noah to play, so it was frustrating to see Aaron sit and do nothing.

             “Anne and I thought he would automatically do the things he saw Noah do. We encouraged Noah to get his little brother involved in playing, and over time, Aaron did learn how to play and have fun. Once in a while he would even initiate play time.”

Some Good News

            The pediatrician gave the Schlegels one piece of good news—Aaron’s spatial skills were excellent. “I have five-year-old patients who aren’t nearly as capable doing with Legos what Aaron is easily doing at the age of two,’” she said, in a reassuring tone of voice.

            “It was difficult for us, however, to hear that Aaron’s motor and cognitive skills weren’t where the doctor would have liked. She did, however, console us by saying that with continued good nutrition, and our love and support, he would quickly catch up.”

            Over time, as Aaron became more familiar with the sheer volume of toys available, he learned to play with Noah for hours at a time. They pretended to haul dirt and move cars, and when they tired of that, they would take blocks and construct buildings, then laugh as they knocked them to the floor. It was at that point Mike and Anne felt Noah had fully adjusted to having a little brother. He was no longer jealous as he had been in Russia, when out of necessity, Anne often needed to pay more attention to Aaron than to him.

            “In August 2002, Anne enrolled Noah in pre-school. She told me about the schools she had visited; the one she chose was less than 20 minutes from the house.

            “We were both pleased Noah would have an opportunity, for two hours, two days a week, to do crafts and other activities, and at the same time, learn social skills as he interacted with kids his age."

            One day Anne came home visibly distraught.

           “’What’s wrong?’” I asked.

            “The boys’ teacher told me this morning she felt Noah wasn’t really on track. He’s only four years old. I don’t know what she expects,”Anne said, exasperated.

            “We talked, and I agreed with Anne. We really didn’t need to give credence to what the pre-school teacher had said. With the adjustments Noah had to make after our adoption of Aaron, we felt he was doing well, and would catch up soon enough.

            “We also continued to be in agreement it was just good for Noah to have a break from his routine at home. At that point, we felt the opportunity for him to play and interact with other children was more important than a comparison to what the other kids were doing.

            “Anne’s availability as a full-time mom to our boys was something we valued. I knew she’d keep a close eye on Noah’s progress, and Aaron’s, in a way I couldn’t because of work.”

            The established pre-school pattern was something both Anne and Noah liked. While he was in school, she and Aaron ran errands.

In September, their routine was suddenly interrupted. Anne began experiencing severe abdominal pain. She had experienced physical pain before, but this was excruciating.

Now she had no choice. It was time to schedule an emergency appointment with her doctor.

***

Life had begun to settle down in the Schlegel household. And then, along comes another interruption. Anne couldn’t ignore her pain—but to what extent would her health interfere with taking care of Noah and Aaron, and also Mike? I braced myself for what I would learn.