Heartened

It seems like I’ve been blogging for a l-o-n-g time. As I look back over the stories – 421 posts (!) – one precious thread stands out beautiful and bold.  

The friends. (You).

The friends, online and in real life who have stood alongside us, through every high and every low, through seizure-free and seizure-full, through progressions and regressions, through deployments and homecomings… we’ve had a faithful community who has prayed for us, cried for us, laughed and danced the happy dance with us.

I was starting to think it might be smooth sailing from here, but it seems like we’re entering another loop of challenges. But I have been blessed beyond measure to look back and to read and remember the supportive comments and encouraging words collected like stepping stones over the past four years.

Whether you’ve left a kind word, or just read along and nodded a “Me too”, or lifted up a prayer, you have bolstered me, helped us press on. You have helped us celebrate our children.

How can I say thank you?

Laura, Rhema’s helper, is one of God’s lavish provisions in our family’s life. She is always taking pictures and recording little miracle moments for me. Last week she captured on her phone about 2 minutes worth of what years of hard work by teachers, therapists, and the support of family and community have made possible.

Some who do not know the story may totally miss the significance of it; but thanks be to God my little one has an amazing cheering section that spans many miles. That just boggles my mind and fills my heart! I can share it all here and know that others “get” this and share it back, understand what it means to me, and genuinely rejoice with us.

(And isn’t it funny how our kiddos always, always feed us morsels of hope and wonder, no matter how hard the day?)

When I watch this simple video – and it is the marvelous essence of reciprocal play – I see that Rhema cannot do it without Hope, and Hope cannot do it without Rhema.

Thank you for faithfully helping us do this.