EDD

13 years ago today, I became a mother. I could tell you that I got thrown a miracle I never asked for, but that would be a lie. From the first time I held my little sister (another day I hope to never forget) I knew I wanted my very own baby. When Daniel and I were dating and first married, I even referred to babies as “little tinies.” I wanted my own “little tiny.” Well, I got it, and she was tiny – tiny and perfect. From the moment she appeared on the scene, she’s needed me. I guess I never counted on how much I needed her. Mothering Emma has never been easy. Sometimes, when I sit and think over her life, I am overwhelmed by the number of obstacles we have had to face-down. But I would take every one of those again to be her mother. Because did you catch that? – I’m a mother – her mother! Heavenly Father entrusted me (of all people) with such an amazing spirit.

Just this week, I took Emma to a new doctor. I have taken her to see doctors of many specialties in places all over the country. But this time, I knew that some of the health issues she’s been having had to be more than what the last few doctors were calling them. I needed to find someone who looked at the big picture and told me that everything was related – as I had suspected. As it turned out, Emma was diagnosed with an allergy to gluten, beef, and soy to name a few things. I wasn’t actually too surprised. Now, I’m on a mission to change the way she eats, to change what’s available in our home, and to help her back to better health.

Today, her 13th birthday, I spent 2 hours in the grocery store (my third this week) reading labels and trying to find my way through this new health maze. A friend called me on my cell phone while I was there. She asked me how I was handling it all. I thought for a moment, than answered, “She’s alive. She’s mine. This is nothing. I’m just glad to know more about how I can help Emma.” The greatest thing I’ll ever do, the greatest I can ever be – is to be the “mom.”