Friends

Lane Carter has taught me many things in his short time on this Earth; faith, strength, courage, acceptance, unconditional love, patience, I could go on and on. He has also taught me a lot about friendship. Lane has an ability to touch people in ways others can't. Mandy says there are kids in her class who will only respond if she tells them Lane wants them to do what she's asking. He had 2 little girls the past 2 years in his class that just adored him. They always sat with him and held his hand. Liam and Lane have never played together a day in their lives. Never laughed together, fought with each other, shared secrets, ganged up on me together, or done any of the things brothers do, yet I've heard Liam call Lane his best friend. I have seen Liam finish reading a book to Lane after I had to quit to deal with Morgan. This is a child who has to be threatened or bribed to read aloud to me. His love for and acceptance of his brother is a beautiful thing. Even Morgan can sense that there is just something special about Lane. She loves to "turn" his pump off, watch for the bus, push him in the house after he gets off the bus, put his cart away and generally try to care for him. I have watched as she has tried to feed him her snack, change his diaper, dress him, give him his meds and even listen to him with the stethoscope. I love to hear her say "Lane Lane".

It melts my heart. It's funny to see her try to pick him up. One of my favorite pictures of all is Morgan and Lane laying in the floor wearing their Christmas shirts, holding hands. So sweet, so genuine.

The world may see Lane as a special needs kid. Someone to be passed over and brushed off. I know this as I have witnessed it. There are few words for how this makes me feel. To Liam, Lane is his baby, his best friend, quietly watching over him and protecting him. To Morgan, Lane is her big brother and she plays the role of the annoying baby sister perfectly. One minute she's hitting or scratching him the next she's laying her head on him or climbing up in the chair just to sit with him. Her desire to care for and nurture him will make her a fine nurse one day (I hope).

There is not a day that goes by that I don't wish Lane was a typical baby but I also know that Liam and Morgan are being taught lessons that will shape their lives in ways I never could. The compassion, understanding and acceptance they show are all born out of their love for their brother. I know this is part of God's plan, part of Lane's legacy. I am forever grateful for this.

I have been taught the true definition of friend. There are many people that find time for us in their busy schedule when we need them. There are a few who never look at their schedule when we need them. These are the people who start praying when they hear sirens that it's not for Lane, answer the phone every time it rings, day or night. Come sit with Morgan even though their own child is home sick. Spend the night at my house with my kids, constantly bring me food, feed my chocolate addiction even though they've made it their mission to make me eat better, teach me to love smoothies, and have an uncanny knack for knowing when to show up on my doorstep just because they somehow knew I was having a bad day. These are the people who drop everything and come to Vandy no matter what when he's here. Who pray without ceasing, who teach, work with, challenge, play with, watch over and love my baby. Those who give up their weekends or nights to babysit or just hang out with me.

These are the people I let my guard down around, those I allow to see the hurt, the fear, the anger. These are the ones I laugh with and whine to. The ones who see the tears when the rest of the world sees only the smiles that mask the pain. Friendship isn't about who you have known the longest...it's about who came and never left your side.

" I thank my God upon every remembrance of you". I love you all.