Dear Elsie Jane,

Two weeks ago you had a seizure. It scared the bejeebers out of me. Yes, I just made that word up.

I'm telling you this about the seizure because no one told me. High fevers can cause seizures in children, called feberile seizures. One of the most difficult things in life is watching my children suffer. Oscar went through the rigamarole when he was almost four months old and we had the meningitis scare on the way back from Orlando (now that's a story..). You, though. You've been relatively healthy since you were born.

So when you were running a really high fever with no other symptoms, I wasn't too concerned, except to try to bring your body temp down. I did eventually take you to the clinic for the doctor to confirm that there's a fever virus going around. (You probably don't remember covering me with banana and blueberry surprise while signing in, do you?) And he found you had an ear infection. We were in the drive-thru at the pharmacy at eight thirty at night waiting for your antibiotic. You started making a terrible noise and when I looked in the back seat at you, your eyes were rolled in your head and you were tensing against your car seat.

I knew what it was when I saw it (your aunt J has epilepsy) but that didn't make it any less terrifying in the moment. It lasted for less than 30 seconds and you were dazed afterward. My heart resumed beating. I did not overreact.

You slept next to me that night and we took you to the doctor in the morning. All was well. You got better, and you are still sweet, sassy Elsie.

Two-year-old extraordinaire. Who wanted hot dogs for breakfast this morning.

I love you, silly girl.

Mama