This morning it is beautiful...hard to believe considering we had a major storm here last night...complete with loud, roaring thunder; crazy lightening and nickel size hail.
Huh?
Yep, it was scary...but almost...ready for this?....almost fun.
The power went out for a couple of hours, so we made out way to Jen's house. With the power out, our first thought was, "What about Ana Garvey?".
Many of you that read my blog know that Ana Garvey is the (beautiful, precious!) little girl of our neighbors, Mary Claire and Steven. She has a rare condition...but let me say this...this girl is amazing. Ready? Get this...and how awesome our God is.
When Ana G. was born, smary claire and steven found out she suffered from a rare condition in which the tip of her 5th chromosome was missing.
Ofcourse, as anyone can imagine, this was frightening and overwhelming for Mary Claire and Steven...for their first born was here (premature, but here!)...however, joy never escaped them...even when some around them tried to steal their joy.
The Doctor (ahem, if you can call him that) told the proud parents to take ana garvey home and "call hospice"...that she would never develop into a "normal" child. This man honestly wanted Mary Claire and Steven to take their little girl home to die. (Side note: I wonder if other parents out their were given this advice...and followed it? Scary, huh?)
So, did Mary Claire and Steven do as the doctore (ick, ahem) recommended....did they take Ana G, home to die?
Did they do that?
No way.
Instead, they scooped that sweet little girl up, took her home and showered her with love, devotion, faith and an undying determination to defy the odds and witness a miracle.
And boy did they ever...and all of those around this family are blessed to watch the miracle unfold on a daily basis.
This little miracle, whom we call Ana G., is defying the odds. I cannot tell you how choked up i got the other day when I went by to see them all in Jen's front yard...and standing before me...well, actually, just cruisin' by me....was little Ms. Ana G....walking around with all the other children.
Walking.
She was walking.
Smiling.
She was smiling.
Miracle.
She was a miracle.
It was a moment I think I shall never forget. It was hope...on two little, tiny feet...walking around...laughing, loving and with a spirit that was absolutely infectious.
And then, I looked over to Mary Claire.
For this young mother...who has been through so much...with such integrity, faith, hope and absolute refusal to give up...what an amazing inspiration.
Holy cow, tears falling down my face as i type this.
For so many reasons.
I sit here thinking of how life will throw us all curve balls...honestly, if we lived our life without hardship and pain...we would have no room for growth...i'm a firm believer of that. For the most trying and troubling times in my life...have taught me the most.
My heart has been heavy for Mary Claire on many of nights. Not out of pity and certainly not out of saddness...but out of wishing there was something I could do to reach out to her...to help her in any way i was capable...but i could not find a real way that I could help.
So i sit here today...telling on a sliver of an amazing story. This mother...is a mother that should be recognized by so many as what a mother's love can do.
She is an inspiration to all those around her.
She, and her little miracle, Ana G.
So today, I sit here...wet faced from the emotion that reminds me how how fantastic our God is...for sending Ana G. to a family of faith...and hope...and love...so that she would show the world what miracles are really about. Unconditional Love.
Thank you Mary Claire, my friend, for reminding all of us of that today.
You, my friend, are the miracle as well.
xoxo
ws
(BTW: Mary Claire told me last night they are almost done with Ana G's website...so i will post a link as soon as it is up:) Also, looks like a documentary will be made about this amazing journey...so as soon as I have more details I will scoop you all!!)
