Chewkie graduates full-time braces

For the last three months, Chewkie has worn braces every day, all day to keep her feet at a perfect 90 degree angle. They can't possibly be comfortable to sleep in, or run in, and they kept making her slip and clomp around the house. She regularly accidentally stepped on toes, got stinky feet, and had only one pair of shoes that accommodated the braces. But they also helped her legs and feet gain strength as she re-learned how to walk on her whole foot. They were necessary but she and I still both eagerly counted down the days when she would only have to wear them at night.

Today was her first day without wearing her braces during the day. Just like her casts, she felt weird without them, not sure she liked the feeling. But I know that after a few days of readjustment she'll be fine. I'm so thankful she gets a week to get used to not wearing them and relearning to walk normally before she goes back to school.

What lovely timing for my sweet girl who has been so resilient, shown so much grit and pluck, and weathered the last four months so gracefully. In fact, I am often impressed by the Lord's merciful timing.

1. She had the surgery at the end of October, once the summer and pleasant days of fall were over.
2. She got to be the star of our cul-de-sac Halloween party with everyone taking turns driving her around in my parent's wheelchair.
3. She got her casts off and new shoes right after Thanksgiving so she go hiking around in the mud to get a Christmas tree.
4. She was in casts and braces in the safety and security of her own home due to distance learning.
5. She gets a week between braces off and school to get her feet readjusted.
6. She is done with braces completely as soon as school is ended. 

It may not seem all the merciful to anyone else, but as I look at the timing of it all, I am so thankful to see just how aware Heavenly Father is in my Chewkie.

P.S. In-door dining was just allowed as of last Friday, so tonight we celebrated Chewkie's milestone with our first family restaurant dinner in over a year.