Brenna has taught me more in three months than I have ever learned in my previous 28 years. And I am trying to soak up each of these "lessons" that she has brought into our lives, to reflect on them and use them to make myself a better person.
Brenna has taught me about prayer. About what it truly means to talk to God. To have a relationship with God. And about what it means to come together with others in prayer. The power of prayer is incredible, and prayer has played such an integral part in Brenna's life so far.
She has taught me about faith. About relying on faith and faith alone. About what it means to have your faith tested on a daily basis. About realizing that, above all, turning to God and putting everything in God's hands is the only way to stay strong and feel peace.
Brenna has taught me about worry. Not just the general worry of a mother where you hope that your children will be safe and happy, but about a constant worry, anxiously wondering if a high temperature or change in skin means an infection is present. About a desperate, agonizing worry, wondering how you might ever plan your own child's funeral as you watch her fight for her life.
Brenna has taught me about happiness. How our attitudes play an essential role in our happiness. About finding the joy in the little things, celebrating milestones that would be meaningless to other families, like Brenna getting to wear clothes for the first time or learning to shut her eyes completely after the last original plaques of skin came off.
And indirectly, she has taught me about community. What it means to be a part of a strong community who stand behind each other. What it truly means to have others rally around us during the lowest point in our lives, to help hold us together as we faced some of the biggest challenges we hopefully ever will face.
What a special gift we have been given, and I pray that I will always be able to see all of the lessons both of my children will continue to teach me.
I couldn't agree with you more about all of the things you have written today. I too feel that Evan has taught me more than I have ever learned in my 28 years on this Earth. The lessons we have learned and will continue to learn will only makes us stronger :-) We truly have been given special gifts!!
ReplyDeleteI think - that the fact you are so teachable, is why you seem to have acceptance of and trust throughout situations. It is such a gift, to be teachable, and to look for the "lessons." Yes, you and De De, and your families, are stronger and more empathetic many people. This blog is an inspiration to many people. God bless - prayers headed your ways.
ReplyDeleteMaking our way through life, there are times when all of us try to explain the "why" in certain events. Your family has been able to remind us to trust God and not need the answer to why - and to find the beauty and potential good in challenge and adversity. The raw emotion you have gracefully articulated through the ups and downs of the last three months are so real, and so understandable to the people reading your blog. Your family has been chosen by God, and we are all so blessed to "know" you through your writings, pictures and videos. Brenna has blossomed since her birth. Thank you too for all the loving updates on Connor. We pray for all of you, for continued health, healing and energy. Your positive spirit is amazing.
ReplyDeleteYour inspire so many of us by the telling of your story. It would be great if a UPS truck pulled up and unloaded boxes and boxes of personal strength and we could feel secure that we had all we would ever need -- but it doesn't work that way, does it?! You and your family prove every day that the strength we need is given to us at the very moment we need it. I love this quotation from St. Frances de Sales: "Do not fear what may happen to you tomorrow. The same father who cares for you today will care for you tomorrow and every other day. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you the unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings." Thank you for the blessing you are to everyone who knows you.
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