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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAfter suffering from a severe episode of respiratory distress this fall, Banjo\u2019s lungs never returned to normal. The specialist took a look at his latest chest X-ray, and declared, \u201cWell, the good news is, with daily breathing treatments using an inhaler, Banjo can go on to live a long, happy, and healthy life. Would you do able to do that for him?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I mean, was that even a question? I\u2019d be willing to walk across hot coals every day to administer the breathing treatments if that was required! That is how much I love this cat! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, I did not profess all that to the doctor; I just nodded emphatically. Truth be told, I was afraid that if I spoke, I\u2019d burst into tears. I was so overjoyed that Banjo could be my beloved writing companion and emotional support cat for more glorious years! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So each day, as promised, I administer the breathing treatments and my daughters gather to watch. It\u2019s impossible not to notice the way Banjo waits\u2026 trusts\u2026 relaxes\u2026 and breathes. When I told my parents how Banjo miraculously tolerates that mask being placed on his face for thirty seconds each day, simply resting in my arms and waiting for kisses, they naturally requested a video<\/a>. My parents watched it more times than I would ever expect from non-cat people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n My parents called it \u201cremarkable.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n This comment immediately brought to mind one of my favorite quotes: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Inspired by that thought, I shared the video<\/a> Natalie took of me giving Banjo his breathing treatment on Instagram. I suspected someone else might need to see this beautiful reminder to trust\u2026 breathe\u2026 and rest in the arms of love. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The response of my online community stunned me. There are now over one hundred comments, many like this: <\/p>\n\n\n\n I am crying in a restaurant; this hits home. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am not a cat person, but I watched this 3x.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wow! I am a non-cat person, and I enjoyed this video A) fluffy, gorgeous cat B) your beautiful hair c) all the love and trust <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For some reason, seeing Banjo breathe easier makes us all breathe easier. It\u2019s clear to see that even though he doesn\u2019t understand what\u2019s happening to him, he feels love\u2018s presence and rests in it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This reminder couldn\u2019t have come at a better time for my family. Seven days ago, we received troubling news regarding my daughter\u2019s medical journey<\/a> that completely caught us off guard. Things are not normal, but it doesn\u2019t mean they can\u2019t be \/ won\u2019t be. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As we endure this period of contemplating the options, we feel in limbo. It is a hard season, which is why we find Banjo\u2019s breathing treatments so uplifting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSeven breaths \u2013 that\u2019s the magic number,\u201d the specialist had said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I never knew the healing power of seven breaths until I saw them, felt them, celebrated them up close and personal. And now I feel compelled to tell people about it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That quote was shared with me during an interview with a 20-something magazine editor. Years ago, we\u2019d met at a trendy coffee shop, and I hesitantly told her about a kiss-on-the-hand moment with Avery\u2014that moment when I\u2019d surrendered all of life\u2019s distractions to be fully present with my then four-year-old daughter on the couch. Avery had unexpectedly, miraculously picked up my palm and kissed it, igniting my life-changing journey to grasp what really matters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I suspected the editor would think my story was a bit silly, perhaps quickly moving on to the next question, perhaps unwilling or unable to see the impact of this child\u2019s gesture of love on her breathless, hopeless, joyless mother\u2019s heart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I couldn\u2019t have been more wrong. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The young woman leaned across the tiny table, tears filling her eyes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour story reminds me of my favorite quote by Jon McGregor. I recently painted it on a canvas,\u201d she confided. Her hazel-green eyes rolled upward, as if trying to get the quote just right. She recited, \u201cIf nobody speaks of remarkable things, how can they be called remarkable?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The editor wiped her eyes and went back to her notes while I silently vowed to never, ever hold back sharing the remarkable things I witness along life\u2019s journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For the past several nights, Avery\u2019s delightfully reported on the topics her classmates are planning for their upcoming TED Talks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So-and-so is bringing in her hedgehog \u2026 so-and-so is talking about fencing \u2026 so-and-so is sharing about dreams \u2026 so-and-so is presenting on women's rights…<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s about to happen in that 7th<\/sup>grade classroom is a version of speaking of remarkable things, I think to myself, secretly wishing I could listen in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am doing mine on music therapy,\u201d my daughter tells me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Avery begins brainstorming the three talking points for her outline. She plans to talk about: 1) what music therapy is, and 2) how it benefits people\u2026 but she needs one more thing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat about a real-life story about Annie or Mama Jennings?\u201d I suggest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It must be a good idea because Avery excitedly writes \u201cstory from nursing home\u201d in the empty line on her paper. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy teacher said life stories are good to have in a TED Talk,\u201d she says, approving my contribution. \u201cBut wait.” A perplexed look comes across Avery's face. \u201cWhat story should I tell?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, if you are going to talk about the healing power of music, you might talk about when Annie\u2019s dementia had worsened to the point she was often agitated and angry,\u201d I said. \u201cYou could talk about what would happen when you got close and sang Elvis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTell me again,\u201d she asked, relaxing into the pillow placed behind her back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, when you sang, Annie stopped crying and began to breathe easier. It was like your music was \u2026 oxygen,\u201d I said, immediately thinking of my beloved cat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI really hope I can be a music therapist someday,\u201d Avery said wistfully, as if the story, once again, confirmed her heart\u2019s urging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cActually, Avery… many people say that you already ARE<\/strong> a music therapist,\u201d I offered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting up from her bed, I told her to hold on. I just remembered something I wanted to read her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019d printed out an email I\u2019d received that day from a father of two little boys who lives on Long Island. He asked me to pass along to Avery just how much her cover<\/a> of CCR\u2019s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” touched him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I read a section of his email to Avery: But what struck me even more than the beautiful affirmation the man gave Avery was the reason he wrote to us. I also read that part to her: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI hope you don't find this email too random. Over the last year, I've been trying to combat the toxicity of the internet by just doing something really simple: When I see an artist, journalist, whoever, that makes something enjoyable or beautiful, I try to reach out to them and tell them just how much his\/her work touched me.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Avery\u2019s face lit up. \u201cThis is why I want to have a job where I hear stories!\u201d Avery exclaimed. \u201cJust think of all the life stories an Uber driver hears.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n I waited quietly, sensing there was more to come. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWorking in a children\u2019s hospital as a music therapist means I will hear lot of stories, and some will be sad,\u201d Avery continued. \u201cBut there can be goodness in the sadness. And I can be part of that.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t really know how to really express this, but for the first time in seven days, since we got the news, I stopped being angry; I stopped asking, why this girl?<\/em> Why her?<\/em> And suddenly, miraculously\u2026 hope filled my chest, and I could breathe easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even in desolate times, there are still flickers of light. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even in closed roads, there are still scenic detours. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even in unstable circumstances, there are still loving constants. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even in family gatherings with empty chairs, there are still beating hearts. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even in the wake of bad news, there are still songs that leave us awe inspired. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even in the sadness, there is still goodness. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dear ones, if you are finding it hard to breathe, turn your face towards remarkable things\u2014they are all around us; they are IN<\/strong> us. And when you see them and feel them, speak of them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though we don\u2019t understand what\u2019s happening to us, we can feel love\u2018s presence, and we can choose to rest in it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Seven breaths. That\u2019s the magic number. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone gather 'round… count with me now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ***************************************<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dear friends, in early December, Avery and I will see a remarkable, hope-filled woman we met along this medical journey who said to Avery, \u201cI\u2019ve been where you are.\u201d We are looking to her for additional guidance and support, and we are quite confident, she will walk beside us. I call this woman a SOUL BUILDER \u2013 soul builders are teachers, mentors, supporters, and encouragers who are in the business of BUILDING UP SOULS. When I planned to give her an inscribed cuff<\/a>, I realized you or your child might have a SOUL BUILDER in your lives that you want to recognize too. My sister-in-law Stacie, who manages our online shop<\/a> like a boss, immediately asked our incredible bracelet makers about this request. They whipped up a beautiful sample (see image below) and are making 150 for our community right now. If you would like to ensure you get one (or more) SOUL BUILDER brass cuffs before they sell out, click here<\/a> to order. They will be shipped to you in time to gift to teachers, colleagues, friends, family, etc. To receive free domestic shipping on any items in the shop, use the promo code: SOULBUILDER. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dear ones, thank you for continually building up my soul with your love, presence, and support of my work & my heart. You ARE a Soul Builder so maybe you should gift yourself! I love you. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHave you given Banjo his breathing treatment?\u201d my daughters ask. No one wants to miss it. Everyone gathers \u2018round. Seven breaths never looked so peaceful, so captivating\u2026. so fluffy. After suffering from a severe episode of respiratory distress this fall, Banjo\u2019s lungs never returned to normal. The specialist took a look at his latest chest […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":8941,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1826,1761,1778,1735,1742,1769,1766,1747,1741,1763],"tags":[],"gutentor_comment":4,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/DSC_0425-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1fUJF-2k7","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8935"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8935"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8935\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8941"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8935"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8935"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8935"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\u201cIf nobody speaks of remarkable things, how can they be called remarkable?\u201d -Jon McGregor <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\u201cIf nobody speaks of remarkable things, how can they be called remarkable?\u201d <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cIt just flat out left me awe inspired. I can see why your daughter\u2019s voice give you hope. She has incredible tone and a really wonderful soulfulness in her voice.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cIf nobody speaks of remarkable things, how can they be called remarkable?\u201d <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s trust like Banjo trusts. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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