Day 2
Sissy Sleep Over

Just a few nights ago I lived out a scenario I have pictured in my mind for many of these past 10 years....  The dreaded "sleep over".  Now I am not talking about me aggreeing to host many crazy girls for a sleep over.  I am talking about Miss Al being INVITED to a sleepover.  This was at the home a friend that she has not spent much time around.  It appeared to be a fun, girly sleepover with friends (minimal sleep expected).  I agreed that she could go but would not be allowed to stay overnight.  While met with sadness she understood and was just happy she could go.

REALITY!
The truth is, it STINKS to be different and have LCHAD.  Most of the time Alex is very normal.  She acts like her friends.  Alex still needs to be fed a "midnight snack" EVERY NIGHT.  This is not something you lightly pass along to someone else.  It isn't hard, but it does require a commitment.  Alex was NOT going to get to stay the night.

We "negotiated" a pick up time.  It was quite late in the 10 year old world.  Her big sister questioned me that evening about why I let her stay so late.  I explained that it was hard enough that should wouldn't be allowed to stay all night just because she is Alex (and because she has LCHAD).  The normally "stay out of it" sister had a look of compassion that I rarely see on her face.  I think she realized that at 10, she had been allowed to sleep over at people's homes.  The "unfair" took on a new face...  her sister.

In true Alex "style" she even called and asked to be able to stay.  I remained firm and compassionate.  I picked her up.  She was frustrated and mad.  I allowed her to "vent" in the car on the way home.  Alex has been frustrated enough to quite talking to me (ahhh, the silent treatment).  When she arrived at home her BIG sister came to the rescue.  Claire had set up a "Sissy Sleepover" in Alex's room. 

While life will never truly be "fair" and growing up with LCHAD (and parenting it too) will offer many more challenges....  this everyday kind of moment where the big sister steps in of her own doing and "saves the day" by reaching out in a way only she could will forever be in my heart as one I hope I never forget.  They truly do love one another.  The treat each other quite normally.  However, the truth is our family will never quite be "normal" because of the sweet, spunky girl with LCHAD. 

We have grown so much over the past 10 years.  I always KNEW Claire need Alex in her life to make her perfect little world a little more messy, colorful, loud and fun.  I sometime miss just how much Alex needs Claire in her life.  God truly did know what He was doing when He made them sisters.