This is My Story

Me: Riley, what are you doing?

Riley: Nothing. I'm just doing something.
----------------- 
Yesterday marked nine months since Reese's death and I have to say, how time can drag and fly by all at the same time remains this constant mystery.

For some reason, I feel kind of speechless this month. Or maybe it's that I have too much to say that I don't know where to start. I can't figure out which. I wanted to share something profound but I'm at a loss.

I heard a great old hymn, Blessed Assurance, on Pandora this week. And it reminded me that accepting what happens to you in life is a daily decision. This is my story. The writer in me can relate to that. I can share it. I can make a difference. I have an opportunity each day to wake up, accept, and continue to write.

For me, the decision to accept hasn't become easier as the days progress, but it has become more familiar. And that makes it less painful. I'm learning humility. With all the death that surrounds us on a daily basis - the horrific natural disasters, the pain of wars, the plagues of diseases and global suffering - I am not in a place to complain. I am a recipient of many - countless even - gifts. Especially the gifts of my children who (as my mom and I reflected on recently) have always belonged to God first. Then, he chose me for Riley. He chose me for Reese. He entrusted his children in my care. To love, to teach, to guide and to honor whether they are here with me or have gone ahead. And in all his perfection, he knows their story just as he knows mine.

God is good.

I am honoring Reese and her story this month by raising money for Antioch Adoptions, an organization that is focused on providing orphaned children in foster care with a chance to be in a loving and supportive family. It breaks my heart that there are children right here in our country, in our state, in our city, that are suffering. So, Riley and I will be walking in a 5K on June 11 to raise money to help. Our sweet friend Amy will also be joining us! I am so excited. My goal is to raise $500 - and I have just a couple of weeks to make it happen. If you are interested in donating, you can do so here: http://www.active.com/donations/fundraise_public.cfm?frid=4171504. I'll be forever grateful!

As always, thank you for taking a minute to read my story. 

Loving you today more than ever, sweet Baby Reese.

"This is my story, this is my song...

I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love."