Call Me The Dragon

Fruit bouquet, with alien

This post has been stewing in my head since yesterday. We spent Rachel's birthday absolutely spoiling the crap out of her, or so I thought. Her birthday lasted about 4 days, what with all the shopping, lunches, dinner, etc. Every now and then I'd do a little adding up of what we'd spent, and cringe a little at the result. Still, at age 22, she doesn't drive, so we've never had that expense, she's not a shoe maven and doesn't spend a lot of money on clothes and frivolous girly things. 

This morning I was talking with my Mom, and she was asking how things went yesterday, and how Rachel had handled all of the attention and excitement. We talked a little bit about this photo, and the delicious fruit bouquet. We giggled about Rachel's taste in t-shirts, and agreed that whatever she likes to wear is just fine with us. 

Then I said out loud what had been in the back of my mind all day yesterday: Life is short, and people who live with epilepsy often have lives that are cut off in their prime. We never know when Rachel might be taken from us, and I intend to enjoy every day I have with her. She's not spoiled, and doesn't take for granted all that we do for her. Rachel is, as ever, our sweet, loving, sunny sweetheart. 

There is no way of knowing how long Rachel will live. Obviously, we hope she will outlive us both, but no matter what we do, which meds she takes, or how well we monitor her, epilepsy could take her life between one breath and the next. That is what terrifies us, and makes us appreciate every day, and worry every time she's out of our sight. 

Overprotective, hell yes. When you have a treasure in your hands, you guard it with your life.