You Are Who You Are, and I Love You Just the Way You Are

Today is Rachelle's birthday. She is our oldest child. I wrote this for her awhile back. If you are the parent of a child with autism or another challenge that has changed what used to be your "normal," you can probably relate to this.

You were our miracle baby. You were an answer to prayer. You were a bundle of joy that changed us into a family.

I dreamed about you right before you were born. I saw your face. God prepared my heart for your wide smile surprise of a cleft lip. When I saw your face, I fell in love immediately. You were my precious gift from God.

You are who you are, and I love you just the way you are.

You had to have lots of doctor’s appointments and surgeries, and I remember after your first surgery when your face changed, your smile was “normal,” but I grieved for the face I fell in love with that first day. It took a whole minute to fall in love with your new face though. We were thankful the doctors could help you so you could eat better.

You are who you are, and I love you just the way you are.

You were the most bubbly, outgoing little girl I ever met. You never met a stranger. You had no fear. Your personality was full of life and fun. I would sing, and you would dance. We would laugh and play. You loved to play the “drums” on plastic tubs.

Then, one day, you went away. You were still here. You looked the same, but that bubbly, outgoing little girl was gone. You were about four years old, and suddenly, overnight I had a new daughter. You were afraid of everything. You didn’t like people. You struggled with anyone outside our family. Foods and clothes you loved before bothered you, and you refused to eat most foods.

You are who you are, and I love you just the way you are.

At first, I wondered what I did wrong. The doctors eventually told us you had autism. But in between, we just wondered what happened. Where did you go?

I grieved for my bubbly, energetic little girl who never met a stranger. But it took me about a minute to fall in love with my new daughter who needed help to face a scary world. We would walk this road together.

You are who you are, and I love you just the way you are.

You are amazing. I see you tackle your fears and overcome the obstacles your mind puts in your way. I see you make friends carefully, but you make friends deeply. You love animals and drawing. You are creative and smart. And every now and then, when you are totally comfortable around someone, I see a glimpse of that funny, bubbly girl I knew when you were little.

You are who you are, and I love you just the way you are.

He Is Risen! Indeed, Nothing Has Changed That!

Easter, as different as the celebration is this year, is the same as it always has been in many ways. It is a celebration of Christ and salvation. I am overwhelmed with gratitude this Easter just as I am every Easter. I know it is probably the same for you.

This Easter has shown us something important...if our celebration is rote religion or relationship and true worship. If not being able to gather with others, get new clothes, and have the traditional lunch together complete with Easter egg hunts makes this holiday flat and depressing for us, maybe we aren’t celebrating the right thing. We may be disappointed to not see close family, especially the children, but the true joy of this Resurrection Sunday must be found in Christ, His sacrifice, and His victory over sin and death. Being able to strip away the busyness of this season and just focus on worship and gratitude has been a wonderful gift.

I pray many find true faith in Christ today. I thank God for how He is using this strange time to help many of us focus on Him. May this day bring true renewal, revival, and spiritual awakening to our world.

The same Power that rose Jesus from the dead is reaching out to hearts today.

I created a playlist on YouTube for our worship today. May it bless you as well: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjRpJAcKJSAx0oszhM_3fGBRp1T_9tkGb

Spring Writing #5

When We Had Spring Break

I love spring!

I love the change in the weather from the cold of winter.

I love the birds singing, butterflies flying, and bees buzzing.

I love the sun shining and the spring breezes blowing.

I love the flowers blooming and the rain falling.

But this year, we had spring break.

It broke because of a scary virus.

Schools closed, and we had to stay home.

We could play in our yard, but we couldn’t play with our friends.

I miss my friends and my teacher.

I miss feeling the excitement of spring.

I feel more afraid than excited.

I don’t understand all about this virus, but I know it makes people sick.

I know that it is an invisible, scary thing

That broke this spring.

I try to remember that spring is still here.

I love running around outside in the spring air.

And I focus on the good things I’m thankful for.

But I will always remember this is the year we had spring break.

Spring Writing #4

This reminded me of my oldest daughter when she was little, about ages 3-4. She loved plants and would hug trees and talk to flowers. Writing this silly little poem/story just made me smile, mostly because of memories of when she was little. :-)

Hello, Little Plant

I planted a seed

At the first sign that spring was on its way

I dug a hole and planted it carefully in the dirt

I said, “Good luck! Enjoy your nap.”

Then I covered it up

Each day I watched

I asked, “Are you awake yet?”

The seed didn’t answer

No sign of a plant

If rain didn’t come

I watered the seed myself

“Hello, little seed.

Are you ready to come out yet?”

No answer.

No plant.

Then, one day, I looked closely.

There, a tiny speck of green poking through the dirt

A tiny plant was beginning its spring stretch

“Hello, little plant!

Welcome to the outside world!”

The next day it was taller

And each day it grew

It sprouted leaves.

“Oh, little plant! Look what you did.

You made leaves, and you’ve grown taller.

Good for you!”

Spring Writing #3

Circle of Life

I’m in the garden

I plow rows

The sun shines

The rain flows

A seed pops

A plant grows

A flower blooms

The wind blows

A bee buzzes

And pollen goes

Into the air

And to my nose

I breathe deep

ACHOO!

Allergy woes.

Spring Writing #2 - Spring Fling Contest Entry - Spring Cleaning

(https://images.app.goo.gl/MoWeYJRoquNMxveZA)

Mom says, “Time for spring cleaning.”

How did spring get dirty?

“We’ll clean out closets,

under our beds,

dust and sort EVERYTHING!”

I pouted.

I read.

I played.

Mom checked on me. She frowned.

“You’re not spring cleaning.”

I groaned.

I made my bed,

put away my toys,

and started to pick up books.

But they wanted to be read, not sit on a shelf.

I read three.

Mom checked on me. She grinned.

“Good start.”

I sighed and put away the books.

I dusted, swept, and hummed a song.

I straightened my keepsakes,

put up my softball equipment,

and danced as I folded clothes.

I opened my curtains and was amazed.

What a bright, clean room!

I could dance and play.

Mom checked on me. She smiled.

“Great job!”

She put a huge pillow in the corner by my books.

It’s my favorite spot

in my spring-cleaned room.

Spring Writing #1

This time of year has a fun writing contest that I enjoy entering. We are supposed to post our entry in our blog.

This year, I had too much fun writing...maybe because we are on "lockdown," and I've been writing a little more than usual, plus the hope of spring and this virus possibly going away is always on our minds.

Anyway, for the next few days I thought I'd post my spring collection of recent writing. Feel free to add your own spring writing to the comments section. We'd love to hear from you.

Happy Spring! Stay safe and healthy!

A Different Spring

Outside

Flowers bloom

Birds sing

The sun shines

But I’m inside

No school

No friends

It’s a different spring

One with a virus shadow

Blocking the joy

Of the dance of spring

It’s like winter without Christmas

Summer without swimming

Fall without pumpkin pie

It’s a different spring

Missing some of the fun

But not forgetting the joy

Because it reminds me

Even though life is different right now

Life goes on

Even though I am stuck inside

I’ll get to go outside soon

The flowers, birds, and sunshine

Will be waiting

Asking, “Where have you been?”

“Better late than never.”

“Come join in.”

The celebration of this different spring.