When can I touch Jesus' coat?

Allie was two in this photo; it's our favorite of the two of us

The sun came up over the St. Johns as I drove across the Shands Bridge.  It was early - even for an early riser like me.  But I was on a mission.

On that day, the third day of April, 2003, my second grandchild was going to be born.

I arrived in Tampa to find my second daughter, Renee, waiting on the process to begin.  Her long days and weeks of bed rest were about to pay off.  Her second daughter would be here within hours.  After what seemed like forever, Allison Renee made her way into our family...and thus began our adventure. 

She was a chatterbox from the beginning, loved life and having fun. 

When she was three, Allie was diagnosed with an immune disorder, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) - simply stated not enough platelets.  Normal is between 150,000 and 450,000.  We were told it would last six months, at the most 18 months.  It is now more than six years.  Since the onset of this, Allie's platelet count has rarely been above 20,000.

Various regimes of meds, removal of her spleen and constant watch care of this precious little girl has been baptized with prayer.  And as a result of her illness, many wonderful things have happened none the least of which is the creation of Clouds of Hope, a not for profit organization that reaches out to families who have a child (or children) with life changing illnesses.

Allie was being treated at All Children's in Tampa when she met a puppet named Daisy.  She suggested to her mother that Daisy was for girls and the boys needed a puppet as well.  So at Allie's urging, my daughter, Renee and her husband, Wally, determined that they should have a fund raiser.  They raised the money for a Donald at All Children's and had enough to send the money to another Center for a puppet of the same persuasion.  One that would help children deal with their fears.

 

When she was six, doctors determined that it was time to remove her spleen, believing that it is in the spleen that the virus which attacks the platelets resides.  While this has been somewhat helpful, it did not totally eliminate the problem and there are repeated trips for blood work and some concern that a fall would be very dangerous.  Yet through it all, Allie - and her parents have remained steadfast in their belief that this is all a part of God's plan for their lives and they endeavor to reach out to others with much determination and fervor.  And in addition to raising money for the second puppet, Clouds of Hope has been responsible for renovating several playgrounds in the Tampa area to make them safe for any child (regardless of ability).  There's also a program known as Camp Cheer, a day when parents can leave their children for a safe play day and have some time to catch up with other responsibilities.

 

Many good things have resulted in this trying time for my daughter and her family.

 

One of my favorite "Allie stories" is about the time that her parents were reading about the woman who had an issue of blood, touched Jesus's garment and was healed.  Allie asked her mother when she might touch Jesus' coat.  She has always known there is healing and is just waiting for that to happen.

 

In the meantime, Allie lives from day to day as normally as possible.  Last Fall she even got to be a cheerleader and sometimes - as long as she is decked out in helmet and pads, she gets to ride a bike.  Most of the time, she maintains a good attitude - at least that's the way it seems to this grandmother - one who is very happy to say that on this day Allison Renee Blain is celebrating her tenth birthday!