It's funny to me that the best little blessing in my life came after months of bullying in the school hallways. My life felt like a live version of MTV's popular 16 and Pregnant. To an extent, it was.
My note to you is simple. I want to say thank you to everyone who stopped me in the hallway and belittled my family. Thank you to everyone who whispered behind my back about the disgrace that my sister was. Thank you to every teacher that ever scolded the life I had. Thank you to every single parent that wouldn't let me hang out with their child because they thought that I was a bad influence. Without your shaming, I wouldn't be the person that I am today.
I can't tell you how much I have grown in the past five years since I have become an aunt. I have learned how to unconditionally love someone [SO much, t------hi------s much]. I have learned how to take the negatives in life and develop them into blessings and gifts. I have learned that it is your story that makes you unique, regardless of the impression it may give off.Most importantly, I have learned how to cherish and be eternally grateful for every single person that has ever supported my family.
Thank you to the coaches that let me miss practice for the birth. Thank you to every friend that was still a friend. Thank you to every teacher that ever asked how my sister and the baby was doing. Thank you to all my family up north, who unconditionally shower us southerns with love and grace.
I am forever grateful for each and every one of you.
The most important lesson I have learned since the birth of Alaina is that it is okay to be broken. In the midst of brokenness, God blessed my family with the sweetest child. One who loves no matter what and laughs at everything. There is no gift greater than life and I couldn't be more thankful that I get to share mine with Alaina.
When life feels like it is falling apart, God will provide the glue to keep it together. Alaina was that glue.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. -James 1:17
Sarah, you know just how to grab my heart. You bring me to tears, not of sorrow, but of joy and pride in the woman you are becoming. Your love for family is as evident as the sun in the sky. I can't begin to express to you the love I feel, not only for you, but, for all of you there ~ in the South. I've said it before, I'll say it again ~ sometimes I just cry when I think of any one of you. I am that much in love with you. Reminder to self: God can't fix what's not broken.
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