Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

April 9, 2014

Little #6










Hubby and I have been blessed with ten wonderful children, seven of whom are adopted.  One of our children suffers from severe, undiagnosed, interstitial lung disease.  She requires oxygen and a feeding tube, is steroid dependent, and may someday require a lung transplant.   In spite of her medical issues, she is a loving child that has taught us immeasurably about God’s love and tender mercies.
As a parent, I tell my children every day I love them, but to hear my child say, unsolicited, “I love you, Mommy” is a reward that far surpasses almost anything else.
One night our precious little one became very sick and was life-flighted to a major medical center two hours away.  All night, she fought for her life with doctors hovering over her, not daring to leave her side.  Hooked up to tubes and devices that would help her breathe more easily,  she lay in my arms, unable to respond to the words I whispered in her ear of how much I loved her.  I couldn’t count the times I prayed that night, asking God to spare our precious daughter's life.
After 24 hours, our little one's breathing eased slightly, and her body relaxed enough to allow her to sleep.  I momentarily closed my eyes, knowing we were over the worst of it, and thanked God for His healing mercies.  I then felt a tender hand touch my cheek; I opened my eyes to see my daughter's big brown eyes looking up at me and heard her quietly whisper, “I love you, Mommy, so very much.”

Although I have chosen not to disclose my children's names, for some reason, I feel compelled to share Little #6's name with you on this special day.  Little Rosa-mae is turning eight years old.  She has filled our lives with so much joy, and it has been the greatest calling to be this little Angel's mother. Not a person can meet her without smiling. Her tender, gentle ways are a blessing to all, and her insight and peace regarding life and death is beyond the years of even the wisest of adults. In spite of her own struggles, she remains compassionate and caring and is always looking for some way to cheer another. Just the other night she followed me into the laundry room and said, "Mama, I feel so sorry for my baby sister (Little #9)."  I asked her what made her feel that way, and she replied, "...because she has an allergy to peanuts and I don't have to worry about that.  Poor little girl.  It must be so hard not to be able to eat everything that the rest of us can."  Little Rosie, who depends on a feeding tube in order to get enough calories to sustain her tiny little body was concerned that her baby sister couldn't enjoy all the foods that the rest of us could.  I wish sometimes that I could see others through the eyes of Rosa-mae and feel the same compassion she has for those around her.

Each and every birthday is a miracle, and celebrating her first was such a milestone.  It is hard to believe seven years have passed since that first year of life celebration.  We continue to hope and pray that she is blessed with many, many more.  
Happy Birthday, sweet Rosa-mae!




17 comments:

  1. She shines with sweetness!! A beautiful name too. Wishing her many happy days and years ahead!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy Birthday, to your sweet Rosa-mae! I love that story about the peanut allergy. What a special little lady you have there. xo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for sharing her sweet story - I have wondered what her health issues were, but always figured you'd share when ready (my nine year old stopped what she was doing and asked, "Are you tearing up? I'm not a big "cryer", but when it comes to kids- yes!) I have prayed for her, too, as reading that she slept in your room led me to believe she keeps your mama heart pumping overtime! What a blessing your family is for adopting all those sweet babies, and what a blessing all those birth mamas gave their babies. God did a beautiful thing putting your family and Rosa-mae together! What a gift she is, please tell her Happy Birthday and give her a squeeze for me! Maybe it won't be so weird getting a hug from a strange lady in Oregon if it's actually from her own mama. Those unsolicited expressions of love are the best. They tell me that in spite of all my blundering, I'm getting *something* right! I, too, wish I could see people through tender, compassionate eyes like she does, I tend to be rather cynical, and can't imagine what I'd be like without God to soften me!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such a little darling and truly a blessing from the Lord. May God richly bless her and your family..

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy Birthday,Rosa-mae! The number 6 is my lucky number.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Happy Birthday Rosa-mae. It sounds like she's a very special person to have in your lives. And I have to say I'm filled with admiration (and even a bit of awe) at the love and courage and patience you and your husband must have to adopt seven children as well as your three. (But glad you didn't go through 10 pregnancies and childbirths too!)

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a precious little one! Thank you for sharing her story. She truly is a gift. Happy Birthday, Rosa-mae!!! *hugs* :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy Birthday to your sweet angel. What a lovely family you have!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for sharing her with us Emily. She sounds like a wonderful little girl. You are lucky to have her and she is lucky to have you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What an inspiration children are, but your Rosa-mae sounds very special. She is very lucky to have you and your husband as parents and you are so blessed to have her as part of your wonderful family.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I often wondered about your beautiful family and suspected that some of your children may be adopted. You are very blessed, and they are very blessed to have you as their mother. I'm sure that your partner is equally so. Little Rosa-Mae's story brought a tear to my eyes. A little sadness but joy too, look at that amazing smile. I wish her a very happy birthday and a wonderful life, a big hug and kiss.
    Enjoy every day with your wonderful family.
    Thank you for sharing.
    debx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you, all, for your sweet birthday wishes and kind words. They meant a lot to Rosa-mae and me.

    ReplyDelete
  13. jadkins_6775@fuse.netApril 12, 2014 at 6:44 AM

    Happy belated birthday to your beautiful - inside and out - Rosa-Mae. Though she may have physical ailments, it is obvious that the Good Lord gave her an extra big and loving heart! Blessings to you and all your family members. I love your blog--it is one of the first that I read whenever there is a post.

    ReplyDelete
  14. She is such a cutie and looks like a happy child..you have a beautiful family..
    God Bless,

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you for sharing darling Rosa-Mae's name and her story. God has truly blessed you and your family. I am blessed with enough time to read multiple blogs and yours is one that I look forward to. Please give Rosa-Mae birthday wishes and give her hugs and kisses from me and my not-so-littles.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is absolutely beautiful. Almost as beautiful as your sweet Rosa-Mae!! God bless you all. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is just lovely. She is lucky to have you as her mother and I suspect you are all equally lucky to have Rosa-mae in your lives. What a treasure. x

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...