She chose red rubies, the color of her birthstone.
This is her second time getting them pierced. She fiercely wanted them done when she was 5, and I let her. However, the next weeks were excruciatingly hard for her. She would not let me touch her ears. She would not let me clean them properly. She would not let me turn them half a turn, 3x a day, for 6 weeks. We eventually had to take out the earrings after 4 weeks because they looked as if they were getting infected. Her pierced ears closed up.
It's 3 years later now, but Grace remembers everything about that experience. She also has 3 years under her belt now. And she has diabetes.
This afternoon we were at the mall and Grace turns to me and says "Mom, can I get my ears pierced?" My inner voice is saying, 'Dear Lord, not again.' My outer voice however responded "Sure you can, if that's what you want." (I secretly wondered if possibly, I am on drugs :0) And sure enough, she did want to, even after explaining the procedure, how I would have to clean them and turn them and how they would have to be done 3x a day for 6 weeks.
"Yep" she said, "Today. I want them pierced today. I know it will hurt. I have diabetes. I know it will hurt, but it's ok."
Damn near cried in Claire's.
This time, 3 years later, I am handed the permission form and there on it, in one of the boxes I need to check, is 'If you have these conditions: .... and ... and diabetes.... you should know that healing may be affected.'
Damn it, even getting your ears pierced has to be related to diabetes! I refuse to let this interfere. I say nothing to the woman who pierces the ears. I am just not gonna say it, I am not gonna take this moment away from Grace by yet another talk about diabetes. Damn it, she's getting her ears pierced and yes I know she could have slower healing time. I sign the form check the box and hand it back to the woman. Full speed ahead, diabetes be damned, is what I am really thinking.
She climbed up into the stool-chair where they do the piercings. She hugged the Claire's bear who also has her ears pierced. She cried. She pressed her head against me. I reassured her again and again that it didn't have to be today. We could come back. We could do it another day.
"No, today. Today Mom."
The woman who was piercing Grace's ears had numerous piercings herself. She was so very patient and waited for Grace to be calm. There is always an angel when I need an angel I reminded myself. Here she was at Claire's. We waited. And waited. It took about 5 minutes, but Grace indicated she was ready. The tears stopped. She looked straight ahead and held my hand.
1st one done.
2nd one done.
Grace is smiling. Red rubies in her ears.