I wanted to share a blog post from another mother that has a beautiful daughter with the same genetic disorder as Reese. When I was at my lowest my mother emailed her asking to reach out to me. Laura was truly a blessing during that time emailing me and just knowing there was someone else that had/was experiencing such struggles having a daughter with a rare genetic disorder.
Anna & Essie: Finding Strength Within Yourself
A few things in her post that really hit home to me were:
“You don’t have a choice but to be strong. You either get strong or you break”–I didn’t choose to be this strong advocate for a special needs child but I am because I want the very best for Reese. I know Reese is depending on me… and to what extent I advocate for her will determine her quality of life!
“I also think that if she’s not fully healed and restored that she is STILL a testimony to God’s miracle working power”–WOW! I believe this to be true for Reese as well! Reese brings so much joy with her smile and perseverance for life. Quit frankly she humbles me and puts me on my knees. When I think of why me God… she smiles… when I think will she ever really communicate with me… she laughs out loud…. when I think does she know what’s going on… she responds…
“If I focus on tomorrow, I’m not okay with today”–this is so true for me because I begin to worry what Reese will be like in 5 years…. will she be mobile, will I be able to physically take care of her if she doesn’t walk, will she talk, will she ever go to a sleepover with other girls…. you can see this list can go on and on and really break you down.
“…we just don’t think of ourselves as a special needs family all the time. We’re just a family…who happens to have a special needs child”–I pray that I can get to this point one day. I’m not there yet… as I’m working on a blog post now titled “Reminder” but with Laura’s words it gives me hope that I to will achieve this one day!
I have this scripture attached to my computer monitor at work:
I praise you because Reese is fearfully and wonderfully made! Psalm 139:14
HAPPY FALL Y’ALL!
Consider Pure Joy 
Your courage, candor, and grace inspire…thanks for posting. Thanks for the witness of faith….with love and admiration, Cheryl
She is truly gorgeous, as are your words. I know she can tell how loved and cared for she is by that precious, happy smile.
Reese heard me say her name today and she turned her little face toward me with the biggest smile and then put her arms up for me to take her . She layed
her head on my shoulder then would look up at me and smile she is so precious I can never tell you what she means to me the most special grand baby in the world I have missed her so much Love to all of you and thanks for your prayers for David and me.
I don’t know what’s going on with you and David but I will be sure and pray. Our family sure does love all of you all!
Elizabeth,
First let me just say I love your blogs. I now have your page bookmarked to read your new ones as they post! I love reading your words through this journey, and you are so strong! And Reese also, simply bc just like you she’s a child of the Almighty GOD that we were *fearfully and wonderfully made* by! God is using this for something bigger than u can even imagine! And like you said when you question the things that pertain to the future, Reese always shows you something! What a testimony! And what a sweet blessing! It brings tears to my eyes just being on the outside and reading this bc it’s a testimony to me! God is in control and God will show you in time exactly what you want to see! Remember that patience is one of the attributes that God wants us to work on as his children! And even though it may one of the hardest, it is one of the most important! For then once we gain that we will be satisfied where we are at the time, in knowing that God is at work! And just having that faith that we all want! I’m praying for you everyday! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us! It truly is a testimony! God is working ! Have faith! And stay strong in his promises!
Elizabeth, I just want to thank you so much for sharing my post and for pointing out the things that spoke to you the most. What we do is soooo hard. No one except those who experience what we do could really know what it is like. I feel blessed that anything I have shared about my experiences can help you. I’m sure there will be a day I’ll need to lean on your strength and wisdom when I get tired. Thank the Lord we are not alone!!!