Inspiration & Thankfulness

Yesterday, I enjoyed a nice, long walk with Riley & Kaylyn to the grocery store. A dear friend had commented to me awhile back on how fascinating it is to walk with Riley. That friend really opened up my eyes to savoring each endearing moment & allowing myself to stop & “smell the flowers,” or talk to neighbors, or random people at the park, or look at bugs, or the water fountain, etc.

Riley’s zest for life & outgoing, unprejudiced attitude inspires me & reminds me how a child can still have an untainted view of those around her. Now, first let me start by saying, we are trying to teach her not to talk to strangers, specifically when Mommy & Daddy are not around, but for purposes of this walk, it was quite fun.

So, yesterday my morning got a bit turned around & our timing for the day was a bit off. I had need of a few things from the market & was craving an iced coffee (sorry, that is my current weakness), but I did not want the girls whole morning to be sitting/napping at the house & then going on a short car trip errand to the store & back. So…I dug deep & decided we would walk the mile and a half to the store & back with the double stroller & Kaylyn in tow, to pick up a few things, & get my iced coffee. Okay, let me just say, I know that a mile & a half does not sound that far, &, well, it is not…really. I think that it just feels farther when part of you is worried that the girls (one or both) may melt down at any time, it is hot & knowing that on the way back you will need to push Riley (34 lbs), the groceries I buy & the stuff Riley brings with her along with Kaylyn (17 lbs) & the diaper bag & the double stroller itself.

So, we decided to take a walk. I started by pushing Kaylyn in the double stroller, with the diaper bag & a water for me & one for Riley. Riley walked with me, pushing her little toy stroller, “Baby Cinderella,” & apparently some toys & a DVD she had put in the bottom of her stroller as well…that I did not know were there. It was a beautiful day; warm but not scorching hot & lots of people were out at the park & in our neighborhood working on the yards. I was hoping that the walk may also provide me with a bit of a workout…which it did, at least on the way home.

On the way to the store, we said hi to whomever we passed. Just being friendly. Neighborly. Then, Riley’s personality would come out. Riley would proceed to tell each & every person, from the high school softball player walking home, the middle aged Hispanic couple in their yard, the 2 college girls walking their dog in the park, the 3 tweens in front of the grocery store with multiple colored beaded bracelets, the young male Barista at Starbucks whose wife is expecting a girl, to the elderly lady at Starbucks who literally held each item that Riley brought along in her stroller, all about her Baby Cinderella, Tiana in The Princess & the Frog DVD, that her sister’s name is Kaylyn, & that her little My Little Pony likes to jump (which she would then demonstrate herself by jumping up & down with a big smile on her face).

I think that my little Riley Mae brought a some sunshine to several people’s lives yesterday…if I do say so myself. Seeing her joy for life & unbiased attitude toward all she chose to speak with was inspiring.

Then thought came to me today…it has been 3 years. No, not 3 years since Riley was born, but 3 years since we witnessed a miracle & she was given back to us! 3 years since we saw our first born, lying unmoving on a hospital gurney in the PICU & heard her lifeless moans as her body struggled to fight the toxin that was inside her. 3 years since we had people praying around the world for our precious baby to survive. 3 years since I had the thoughts that if we lose her, I do not think I could handle having another baby. 3 years since we experienced the power of prayer & saw our little baby girl defy the odds & not only fight back from Botulism, but kick its booty! 3 years since we sat there in the hospital astounded at the fact that she pulled out her own feeding tube! 3 years since the Occupational Therapist who thought Riley would have to have therapy to learn to suck again be wowed at her resilience & ability to suck down a bottle on the first try! 3 years since my husband & I were on our hands & knee, sobbing & praying to God to save the life of our daughter…and He did. He amazes me.

She amazes me! Her full sentences, her ability to ride a bike with training wheels already, her active imagination, enjoyment of playing dress up & coloring, unstoppable energy, affection for her family & friends (& doggies), love of storytelling, animals, camping, adventures, climbing, learning, the alphabet, numbers, her sister, her mommy & daddy, & uncanny ability to make everyone smile… We are so blessed. Thank you Riley for being our daughter! Thank you God, that we can celebrate 3 years of a wonderful life!