I hesitate to discuss personal matters here, but I want to explain the lack of posts today: Unfortunately, my nearly two-year old daughter, who had been running a fever all weekend, had to be admitted to a hospital early this morning with a nasty case of pneumonia. As I type these words she is sleeping comfortably (at last), the monitor over her bed shows her vital signs slowly returning to near normal, Cheney and Edwards quietly spar on the television hanging on the wall and her Mommy and Daddy are finally beginning to relax after a very trying day.
Needless to say, I’ve been a bit distracted the last 24 hours. I may post something later this evening, as I’m not likely to sleep much in this hospital room, but no promises. Many thanks for your patience.
Mark Blumenthal is political pollster with deep and varied experience across survey research, campaigns, and media. The original "Mystery Pollster" and co-creator of Pollster.com, he explains complex concepts to a multitude of audiences and how data informs politics and decision-making. A researcher and consultant who crafts effective questions and identifies innovative solutions to deliver results. An award winning political journalist who brings insights and crafts compelling narratives from chaotic data.
15 thoughts on “A Personal Note”
God bless your baby girl and the worried parents. These times put life right back into perspective. You are all in my prayers tonight.
Glad she’s feeling better. Our 2 year old boy spent Saturday panting like he was running a marathon, before we took him to the hospital for his first-ever asthma treatment. Within a couple hours he was breathing pretty much normally, and before we left the hospital (8 hours later) he was running wind sprints in a waiting room and bouncing off the walls.
Two year olds bounce (back quickly). It’s amazing to watch.
Been there with all three of my kids.
This is one of those moments when you are truly thankful that you live in a place and time where a bad case of childhood pneumonia is usually just extremely uncomfortable and stressful….not deadly.
I hope your daughter has a speedy recovery. There’s nothing more heartbreaking than seeing a normally energetic toddler flat on her back.
I know how tough that can be. The thoughts and prayers of my wife and myself are with you and your family.
Thank you for all the time and effort you put into this blog. None of your readers will be at all disappointed that you have other, more important, things on your mind.
You take care of your child, and let us do the blogging.
Nothing is as important as being with a sick child, and we understand your need.
My prayers are with you and your daugher. Be there for her, we will be here for you.
Our prayers are with you for your daaughter’s speedy recovery.
Glad things are going well. I had a similar experience with my newborn son and RSV two years ago, and I know what you must have been going through. My thoughts are with you.
Came here by chance. Nice side. But all the best to your daughter. She is the most important in your life, so take good care of her!!
Best of luck to your daughter for a speedy recovery!
In moments like these the true value of debates and blogging is put in perspective when you are reminded of the things that really matter in life. Glad to hear she’s okay.
Hope everything turns out okay!
Hang in there. As others have said, children are resilient. She’ll be singing the Barney theme song with you again before you know it.
Relieved to hear she’s doing better.
25 years later, I still have to breathe slowly when I think of our first son’s stay in hospital when he was two weeks old.
Parenting means watching your heart run around outside your body. You learn a lot about prayers that aren’t elegant, but are definitely sincere.
Don’t every apologize for taking care of your family. A quick “Sick kid – more posts eventually” message would have been more than enough.
God bless your baby girl and the worried parents. These times put life right back into perspective. You are all in my prayers tonight.
Glad she’s feeling better. Our 2 year old boy spent Saturday panting like he was running a marathon, before we took him to the hospital for his first-ever asthma treatment. Within a couple hours he was breathing pretty much normally, and before we left the hospital (8 hours later) he was running wind sprints in a waiting room and bouncing off the walls.
Two year olds bounce (back quickly). It’s amazing to watch.
Been there with all three of my kids.
This is one of those moments when you are truly thankful that you live in a place and time where a bad case of childhood pneumonia is usually just extremely uncomfortable and stressful….not deadly.
I hope your daughter has a speedy recovery. There’s nothing more heartbreaking than seeing a normally energetic toddler flat on her back.
I know how tough that can be. The thoughts and prayers of my wife and myself are with you and your family.
Thank you for all the time and effort you put into this blog. None of your readers will be at all disappointed that you have other, more important, things on your mind.
You take care of your child, and let us do the blogging.
Nothing is as important as being with a sick child, and we understand your need.
My prayers are with you and your daugher. Be there for her, we will be here for you.
Our prayers are with you for your daaughter’s speedy recovery.
Glad things are going well. I had a similar experience with my newborn son and RSV two years ago, and I know what you must have been going through. My thoughts are with you.
Came here by chance. Nice side. But all the best to your daughter. She is the most important in your life, so take good care of her!!
Best of luck to your daughter for a speedy recovery!
In moments like these the true value of debates and blogging is put in perspective when you are reminded of the things that really matter in life. Glad to hear she’s okay.
Hope everything turns out okay!
Hang in there. As others have said, children are resilient. She’ll be singing the Barney theme song with you again before you know it.
Relieved to hear she’s doing better.
25 years later, I still have to breathe slowly when I think of our first son’s stay in hospital when he was two weeks old.
Parenting means watching your heart run around outside your body. You learn a lot about prayers that aren’t elegant, but are definitely sincere.
Don’t every apologize for taking care of your family. A quick “Sick kid – more posts eventually” message would have been more than enough.