This little piggy belongs to 7 of 8.
Callous, split skin and all.
It’s the price she’s paying for learning to walk. Her little left foot flattens at an odd angle, trying to grip the ground for better stability to make up for the weakness on that side.
And so her little piggy has borne the brunt, developing blisters, creating callouses, splitting open.
It’s odd how well we took the news of her stroke, how well we have weathered the testing, the doctor and specialist visits, the months of therapy. We’ve been strong. She has hung tough.
But there’s just something about this little piggy.
I want it to be soft and pink. I want to heal its hurt.
I don’t want things to be so hard for her. Or for her toe.
But it’s the price we all pay, really, when we have to tackle hard things. It’s the price we pay when we work hard to overcome weaknesses, to push ourselves, to push ourselves up to the unsteady feet of our dreams and visions and to press ahead.
We sometimes rub blisters on our hearts. Our souls can become a bit calloused. And sometimes we feel as if we are being split open in the effort.
But we pay the price. We get tougher.
And we walk out our journeys.
And 7 of 8 will too.
But, oh, I ache for this little piggy.
As mothers we wish we could bear the blisters and splits for our children. They are so sweet and tender; we are already toughened and able and willing to accept the pain. 7 of 8 is a very special little girl with a special path to walk and a special Mommy to walk with her. btw, I’ve found that soaking sore piggies in a warm epsom salt foot bath can really help!
Oh the poor little chicken (and her poor little piggies). She’s one though little cookie your 7 of 8. Give her a big huggle from all of us that are praying for her and her little piggies.
It is so hard to see the ones we love go through trials.
I hope her little piggy feels better soon.
I’m so sorry to see such boo booed little piggies. I hope her skin toughens up for her soon.Sorry I haven’t been around my computer was sick must have had swine flu or some other nasty bug.For now it seems to be on the mend.
OH, I’m aching for her little toe too! That just breaks my heart. Why does adversity have to leave its mark? I’m being rhetorical, of course. I don’t want an answer to that one!
it would be something like that, that would get to me as well. something seemingly so small, but signifying something much greater. i hope her little toe heals with time.
What a sweet, beautiful post. We forget too easily how much effort goes into all the learning and growth that takes place in those first years until we see something like this.
Several of my boys are prone to splitting under and around their toes. My Doctor told me to soak the split foot at bedtime,let it air dry all night then super glue it shut in the morning. He was serious, maybe it would help dear little 7 of 8’s piggy.
Again, beautiful post.
Those little piggies do take a lot of wear and tear.
My brother had wear on one foot, and my mother washed his foot at night, let it dry, and taped it in the morning until it healed. He was older at the time, recovering from leg surgery… but it could help.
You know, as a parent, I often wish I could shoulder my children’s burdens. I have come to believe that God hears that secret wish in our hearts and makes a way to ease the pain for them. So keep on loving her right on through this growth. She is so blessed to have a Mom like you. And don’t worry… someone is listening to what is in your heart.
Blessings, and Have a Happy Mother’s Day.
– Julia at Midwest Moms
Poor baby. I don’t know the back story on 7 of 8, since I haven’t been following your blog that long. I’m sorry she’s had some rough spots in her little life. Keeping you all in prayer!
such a beautiful post and adorable piggies! If only a kiss on those piggies would make it all go away…
She is just so beautiful…and that reminded me of some lyrics from Twila Paris’ song How Beautiful.
“How beautiful the feet that walked
the long dusty road and the hill to the cross.” No doubt His were rough, calloused, and bleeding as well. No better example to emulate.
Looking forward to following her progress.
Oh, man, I know how you feel. I didn’t want my daughter to have a pacifier, but apparently she WANTS one. I felt so sad when I finally gave in and she was instantly content and went to sleep. Actually, I cried all day and teared up several times during the next day. (All three of my kiddos have needed the extra sucking that a passy or thumb provides.) My mom did make me feel better by telling me she’s actually glad to see that she’s getting the oral stimulation the passy provides. Still, there was something about me not be able to comfort her myself by just breastfeeding her. (She gets too full and then her belly hurts and she still wants to suck…gonna have to do a post about this.;) Anyway, I do hope her toe heals up. It is exciting that in its way, its about her progress, though. BTW- have you thought of using moleskin? I had to use it when I was in Basic Training because I was getting bunions from the military boots I was issued. Such relief!
Big hugs to sweet 7 of 8 and her mama who I know wishes she could make it all better!
A wise friend pointed out to me the other day, that you don’t learn much from an easy life!
Sending cyber-hugs and happy vibes from across the pond!
What a precious post.
That’s a hard working piggy for a precious little girl!
OH, her poor sweet little piggy.
We had similar issues with Will’s toes and that is why he is finally getting fitted for braces in his shoes. Have they mentioned braces for little sweet 7? I wonder if it would help to stabilize her foot?
ps I know exactly what you mean. It’s almost easier to except the big diagnosis, but all the little things that come along with it just keep adding up š
Aw! What a sweet little girl!
Oh, your sweet little girl.
I know what you mean about bearing the big bad news better than the smaller things, sometimes.
Like you said, though, we just need to keep going, keep trying.
Still, I hope that little piggy heals soon!
Awwwwww…I just wanna kiss this little piggy…and I don’t do feet!
I feel the same way about my son’s teeth and how bad they are and the surgery to remove two of them. I just want to fix it and make it all better. This situation, much more serious, of course. I hope she can cope and you can as well. God is with us.
Awwwwwwwwwwww the poor baby!!!
My feet used to split like 7 of 8’s toe is splitting now. My kind, wonderful, wise husband held me down and super glued the crack closed one evening (over my very loud objections). Now, whenever my feet crack I apply super glue and then apply lanolin ointment (the kind found in the breast feeding section of the baby aisle). I’m sure everyone on Earth has shared their concoctions for healing that poor toe š 7 of 8 is lucky to have such a concerned following. Here’s hoping she has many happy hours of walking this year and every year.