BRAVERY

defintion:  Courageous, valiant

Jaydin (handing me a form from the school nurse): "here mom, and FYI, I'm not interested"
Me: "let me see what it is all about"

As I read the letter about the fact that there are 9 cases of whooping cough in her middle school and that the Linn Co. Health Dept. is going to be giving out vaccinations at school for those that need them, I explained to her that it really wasn't a matter of her being interested or not.  So I called the Dr. to find out if she was up to date on her vaccine for this and they informed me that when she was little they didn't routinly include the pertussis in the tetnus, diptheria vaccine, so she indeed should get the shot.  Well I had to break the news to her that she needed to get the shot.  Let me just say the last time she got shots....it took 3 nurses and myself to hold her still, she was screaming and crying and I too left in tears.   I gave her a choice of getting it at school (where it was free) or taking her to the Dr. office to have it done.  She pleaded to go to the Dr. office, as she was afraid that she would cry at school and be embarrassed.  So today I picked her up from school early and we headed over. 

Nurse:  "Jaydin Burley"
Jaydin:  "ugh...I really don't want to do this"
Me:  "I know but you'll be fine, I'll hold your hand"

Slowly we made our way to the room where Jaydin took a seat on the table

Jaydin "I just have one question before we do this"
Nurse: " What's that?"
Jaydin "Do you have anything to numb me with first?"
Nurse: (smiling) "no honey, besides by the time I would numb you it will be all over"

I got up and stood and held Jaydin's hand as the nurse prepared and pricked her.  Upon completion Jaydin looked at me and said "wow! that really didn't even hurt".  She exhaled as the nurse gave her a hot pink bandaid and we were on our way. Upon returning home, Jaydin thanked me for taking her to get the shot and helping her overcome her fears.   And now I can breathe a sigh of relief as I send her back to that cespool of germs on Monday. 

So look up bravery in the dictionary my friends and you will find Jaydin's name listed.