Happy 4th Birthday, Lilah Hope!

Before I begin to tell you what this miracle has done in the last 4 years, I want to give you a visual of what she did at her birthday celebration at school.

Helped pass out the cups

Prayed before the meal

Oh yes, my girl LOVES Justin Bieber and can sing "Baby"from start to finish

Ate fish sticks

Drank her milk

Made everyone laugh

Laughed and smiled with her friends

And went to the book area and "read" herself a few books

4 years ago today my surprise miracle baby was born. Just a few hours into her sweet life, the specialist came in to examine her eyes. Holding down my innocent infant as her eyes were pronged open, hearing her screams...was not the way I anticipated her life to begin. When the doctor stood up and began to tell me that not only was my child born blind, but that even after multiple corneal transplants and countless other surgeries, "at best" all we could hope for was "one eye" for her to "maybe" see with.

Hope....

That was her middle name long before I knew whether she was a boy or a girl.

Hope...

That is what I have CLUNG to with all of my might these last 4 years.

HOPE...

is what I never gave up on as I prayed and prayed that God would send a miracle.

Hope....

is what I have been given in Lilah.


4 years later, multiple tests, and therapies too many to count....

Lilah is a WALKING, TALKING, and yes...SEEING miracle.


I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am for her:
*For her beauty. Outward, but more importantly her genuine LOVE of all people
*For her determination and strength
* For her personality that sends me into full belly laughter each day
*For the teacher she is to all
*For the gift she is
*For the MIRACLE God has done in her. To date, Lilah has never had a transplant on her eyes. She has had one Strabismus surgery to straighten her right eye. THIS fact is only explained by the GRACE of God. Lilah sees more today than was ever promised by this world.
* For the days I wept never knowing if she would see, how I would teach her, help her, how I would fight for her, after results of tests came in with more rare "diagnosis", for the pain that made me DIG DEEP inside and find the fighter I am....for myself, for my family, for my friends.... for HER.

Lilah,
I sit here with tears welling in my eyes at the gratitude I have for you in my life. You are a true example of love, compassion, determination, perseverance, and JOY. I am so very proud of you. I am so honored to be YOUR Mother. I am so blessed by what you teach me, and others, on a daily basis.
I will fight for you all the days of my life. I will be eternally grateful for what you have taught me. Thank you for the most incredible 4 years.
I love you Lilah Bird!
Mommy

Happy 4th Birthday, Lilah!