Our Littlest Blessing

Dec. 29th, 2010

Wikipedia-Blessing

A blessing, (also used to refer to bestowing of such) is the infusion of something with holiness, divine will, or one's hope or approval.

Or...Chloe, Warrior Princess! As we celebrated this season of miracles and blessings, the fun filled activities that that delight children of all ages to no end, prayed for peace and gave thanks for all things good in our lives, the word blessing kept surfacing for me. At every turn, Chloe seemed to do something new or surprising, and the meaning of this word took on even more importance in regard to her life.

Just over 20 months ago, this little baby was born who had so many serious issues in so many areas of her tiny little body, her days seemed surely numbered. The blessings began in the form of highly specialized doctors, amazingly intelligent, caring nurses, compassionate social workers and the charitable Ronald McDonald House just down the street staffed with kind and intuitive volunteers. That was only the beginning, because as soon as I wrote my first entry here, a multitude of complete strangers added their names and their prayers to our never ending requests for both of them! Some of you sent much needed money, some of you sent presents, Chloe was remembered at Christmas and every one of you became our angels. Our blessings.

God is good. Every day that He has given us with Chloe is a blessing. Chloe IS the blessing. This month, Chloe walked. When I first shared the video, she was just 'practicing', but now she is off and running and doing her thing! How many of us wondered at some point if this would be part of her life? Amazingly, right after untethering that spinal cord, she crawled... and now she is walking. Christmastime brings special blessings, doesn't it? Another is that today she actually went potty in the potty chair! Girls just rock! She is growing up. Santa brought her a kitchen and she is a very busy little cook. She can push her little shopping cart at the 'grocery store' and has a very good teacher in her mommy. "Store" was always Jennie's favorite game as a child! Her favorite character is Dora, just like so many other little ones. She plays with her siblings, gives 'fairy kisses' (fingertip to fingertip) and signs many of the things she wants or needs. She can sign three word sentences now, which her therapist says is VERY good! A few days ago she went into the room where her diapers are kept, got one, took it to Mommy, and started to take hers off! How's that for a blessing? Jennie certainly thought so.

So, we count our blessings ALL the time. The ventilator is just used at night now, unless Chloe is tired or sickly. There have been some colds and flu in the house which she has not escaped, but nothing has turned serious! It is that WILL of HERS that lets us all sleep easier at night. We count our blessing each day because these are wondrous and fun days in every child's life. They just seem more special when you know the story of the Warrior Princess.

Happy New Year to all. This has been such a beautiful year in the life of Miss Chloe. We feel privileged to have counted you in our list...of blessings. New procedures and changes are upcoming in the new year. We will keep you posted. Until then, here's to all the best yet to come in 2011!