Thursday, March 24, 2011

touched


I have been thinking of all the experiences that I have had during this journey with Lila, while there have been more tears than I thought possible we have had some sweet moments. I have been very touched by the outpouring of love from people, and for that I would like to say thank you. I have received kind notes in the mail or from email/facebook from individuals that I haven't talked to in years. People that I have never met have been praying for our family. Friends have brought dinner (everyone knows that's not my specialty) Friends have taken over church callings for me without judgment or resentment. I have had friends sit and cry on the phone with me, both of us to overcome to even try to speak. I have wonderful family who have checked in on us and supported us through hospital stays, check ups, feeding tubes and treatments. Even kind comments on this blog have been appreciated and have helped to bolster me up.
I have been most inspired by the mothers of other special needs kids. Mothers who have been dealing with this for far longer than I have called to offer advice and an ear to listen. I am amazed by one mother who has never met me but who has put in hours of searching for resources and answers despite taking care of her own child with needs. Another mother who has been dealing with feeding tubes has offered her advice and her expertise. Another mother whose child who has a terminal degenerative disease has called me and checked up on me and offered to help me navigate the primary neurology world. When we got out of the hospital this time a sweet note with a bowl full of candy was waiting on our doorstep from her. In her note (I hope she doesn't mind if I share) she talked about how she found a way to cope. She gave me a little bracelet that said courage on it. She explained that she wears hers everyday to remind herself to be as courageous as her little one. She feels comfort to know that her and her daughter probably volunteered for this in the life before this. Those two thoughts have been on my mind a lot these days. Lila is such a sweetheart. She doesn't interact much but her spirit is overwhelming. She is special, and I know I need to become the mother that she deserves and chose. She is courageous, she's my hero.
I wanted to put a few of the quotes on here that she gave me because they gave me so much peace. I hope that they may give others some as well:

"This is Courage in a man; to bear unflinchingly what heaven sends." - Euripides

"Most of the heartache, pain, and suffering we would not choose today. But we did choose. We chose when we could see the complete plan. We chose when we had a clear vision of the Savior's rescue of us. And if our faith and understanding were as clear as it was when we first made that choice, I believe we would choose again." - Bishop Richard C. Edgley

"No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God" - Orson F. Whitney

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" - 1 Peter 5:7

4 comments:

Barb said...

Those are such great quotes, thanks for sharing! I know you may not see it, but we all can- you ARE a courageous mother and you're doing an awesome job caring for Lila.

Daphne A. Quist said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the direction of your thoughts and hope! You are amazing and having inspirational people and messages create miracles within. Love you!

Kelli said...

Thank you Kristi! I loved the quotes and its funny that you mention her spirit in that way because in the last 24 hours I have told no less than FOUR people how overwhelmingly sweet her spirit is, and how lucky we are the have her in our family! I love that little girl SO much! And I love you and Q! Thank you for letting me part of your lives every single day...

Lynn and Barbs said...

What a sweet blog Kristi. We know how hard the last few months have been for all of you. You have had many challenges but you were sent such a sweet, beautiful spirit. She is very special and you are too! Heavenly Father KNEW you would be the mother she needs. He will strenthten you and help you cope with your challenges. He loves you and Lila perfectly. She will continue to bring you so much love and joy, what a lucky little girl she is to have so many people love her so much. Your thoughts and quotes were so inspiring. We think you are very courageous and continue to pray for you, Lila and Quinn daily. We love you.
Barbara