No Big Deal

Yesterday was one of those days that had been staring me down on the calendar. I've been avoiding any mention of it because I knew the anxiety and heartbreak it would hold. It was Little Ocho's overdue annual check-up. I was well-aware that the infamous finger-prick was fast approaching and quite frankly, I just didn't want to face it. When I was her age I would have a total come-apart when the nurse came at me with that little pin. Champ still loves to remind me of how I told her in no uncertain terms that I hated her for putting me through such a horrendous experience. Well, Monday was payback time. We've had check-ups in the past, the last being that marvelous kindergarten vaccination visit. Good times. After that trauma I was sure Ocho wouldn't even remember the finger prick and since the doctor's had assured her that the vaccinations were over until she was 15 she would have nothing to fear. Well, the child who can't remember from one day to the next that dirty underwear goes in the hamper and dirty dishes go in the sink got a mile from the doctor's office before quietly asking "Mommy, they're not going to stick my finger with that thing today are they? Cause that hurt." Busted. I had to be honest and say yes. My honesty sent her into a panic attack that could only be remedied with the promise of a "Kung Fu Panda" matinee on Tuesday. With that she was ready to face her fear.

While signing her in and answering the usual questions about insurance and address changes, I was met with something completely unexpected: the specimen cup. It's a big reality check when you realize your child is old enough to pee in a cup. I wasn't prepared for that and honestly it almost made me cry. Does that make me weird? My tears quickly gave way to laughter. I won't even go into the mayhem that ensued on each of our three trips to the bathroom to attempt to fill that blasted cup. Let's just suffice it to say the task still remains unaccomplished. Peeing on command is a skill that is developed over time.

So, after that lovely experience we headed back to the exam room for the showdown at high noon. Actually it was 9:15 and the nurse was very sweet. I got busy praising the Ocho for her bravery and sweet attitude. I also reminded her about "Kung Fu Panda" and made her promise she wouldn't scream. When the time inevitably came she gripped my hand, closed her eyes tightly and whispered "Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda....." until it was finally over. When the needle pricked her thumb she jumped, shrugged her shoulders and said nonchalantly "Hmmmph......that's not so bad". Then she flashed a rather cocky smile.

I sat back with a sigh of relief that the hard part was over. The doctor came in, completed his exam, made some small talk and then dropped the bomb. She'd need to get a booster shot for her chicken pox vaccine. I will admit I wasn't taken completely by surprise. Friends had warned me this might be coming but I just chose to live in denial and hope that my doctor would be the one physician bucking the system and not offering the shots. Not so much. Upon realizing a needle was in her immediate future, her face dropped, tears welled up in her eyes and I readied myself for the hissy fit that was sure to come. A few seconds later the nurse re-entered the room and hurriedly prepared her arm for the injection. Ocho tensed up and started having a mild freak out when I reminded her of Kung Fu Panda. She said those magic words again and this time she didn't even feel the needle. It was over before she knew it and she boldly stated "Well, that was anything at all!" On our way out the door she got a little smug. "Mommy, those shots weren't bad. They didn't even hurt. I mean, what's the big deal anyway?"

She received a glowing report from the doctor per usual. She'd kind of famous in his rotations because she never, ever gets sick. I think she's only had one sick visit in her entire life. He's always telling her how she's got the smallest file in his office and being the perfectionist that she is she's quite proud of that accomplishment. She's grown accustomed to his admiration and it was in full force yesterday. There wasn't one question he had that she couldn't answer correctly. "Do you eat your vegetables?" Check. "Do you like to run and play outside?" Of course. "Are you strong enough to push my arms down?" Got it covered. "Do you work hard in school?" Straight A's dude. "Do you drink lots of milk?" Uh oh.

I guess I could have warned her that question was coming but why? I know my child and if there's one thing she can't stand it's disappointing someone in authority. I knew he'd ask. I knew her answer. And I knew she'd feel guilty. (insert evil laugh here) She stopped drinking milk when she was 3 and nothing we have done could convince her it's worth her time. In fact, she makes herself gag just smelling it. We've tried flavored milk. We've tried bribery. We've tried scolding and telling her she's the only kid in the universe that doesn't like it and that makes her weird. Still, nothing could convince her. That is until the doctor said "Lydia, that disappoints me." Bingo!

We headed to Wal-Mart and picked up a small bottle of chocolate milk. When we got home I poured a little in cup and told her "No Kung Fu Panda until it's gone." She stalled awhile, sniffed it, begged me to let her use a straw (why do kids think straws make things better?) and then accepted defeat. She summoned her courage and took one big gulp. Then she flashed that same cocky smile. "Mommy, that's not too bad. I kind of liked it. No big deal."

So the Ocho faced her greatest fears and conquered them in a span of 3 hours with a little courage and Kung Fu Panda.

Speaking of fear, I been facing one of my own.

Since signing up the She Speaks conference, I've been a little anxious. I'm not great at meeting new people or trying new things. I never, ever attend a women's retreat at my church without the back-up of a few of my peeps. I never attend Bible studies or banquets unless I know I've got at least one friend in the mix. So why on earth am I agreeing to fly to a city I've never been to and attend a conference with a bunch of women I've never met to try and do something I've never felt capable of doing? Because God told me to and then He sent me a ticket. He is so bossy.
I received my itinerary over the weekend and found my roommate's name. I figured it might help if I tried to connect with her before we arrive. I scoured the conference blogger list and found her. I sent her an email over the weekend hoping she wouldn't think I was some strange blog-stalker freak or pathetic, desperate, insecure woman. Of course, I am both of those things but she didn't seem to mind. Last night, she sent me the sweetest, most encouraging email and truly set my heart at ease. From what I 've learned so far (from stalking her blog) she's a gifted writer, a wonderful wife & mother, a fun friend (she has a girlfriend group!) and a sold-out servant of Christ. Tonight I've got a new friend and I'm not so afraid anymore. So I ask you, what's the big deal anyway?

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7