Hope for Baby Bennett: Lucky 7's

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Lucky 7's

Tomorrow, our sweet girl turns 7. Man, it seems impossible that it was really 7 years ago that she came springing into our lives after 27 hours of labor (the last 4 1/2 hours of which were pushing!).

We had no idea just how much this little peanut would change our lives - how she would just crack our hearts wide open and race in to to fill every bit we never knew had been empty.

We love you so much, Sierra, and couldn't be prouder of you. You've had so much thrown at you the past year, and, through it all, you've shined. You haven't just kept up in life despite some pretty hefty changes and roadblocks, you've charged forward. You've learned and grown so much in the past year. A year ago, you could barely remember how to write your letters, and now you're writing notes and stories - and reading entire books. You are learning in leaps and bounds and have such an excitement for anything new. We have so loved watching you enthusiastically take on ballet, and gymnastics, and swimming, and volleyball and softball.

Sweetheart, as you're heading into 7, daddy and I want you to know what we admire most about who you are RIGHT NOW. I think what we love the most about you is your sincere interest in others. You always (and I mean, ALWAYS) have to know what everyone is doing at all times. It's such a gift, and one that will serve you well as God nudges you toward those crossing your path who will most need your love and support. In the meantime, let's spend year 7 working on harnessing that gift and knowing when it should and should not (i.e. maybe not every single second of every single minutes of 1st grade!) be used.

And we so admire your willingness to try ANYTHING new and take it on with a smile. That's a gift your mommy has never had - I've never been able to try new things without an inkling of fear unsettling my stomach. I adore watching you jump in with both feet and a huge grin on your face. Please, please, don't ever lose that fearlessness. Let God use that for His purposes. It will take you far.

Happy 7th birthday to the sunshine in our lives. We love you so much and can't wait for many more years to love on you (but can we go somewhere other than Hometown Buffet for next year's Birthday dinner, pretty please?)

Love,

Daddy, Mommy and Bodie

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The Chosen Mothers by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger. "Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give her a child with cancer." The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy." "Exactly" smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel. "I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it." "I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she believes in you." No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps -"Selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted. She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice...and allow her to rise above them." She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side." "And what about her patron Saint?" asks the angel. His pen poised in mid-air. God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."