Midget Mom

Midget Mom, that is what my 3 boys called their little sister from the time she could speak. As soon as words began to form for this little tyke she was bossing all of us around. She just had very clear ideas of how life was supposed to be and she was sure she was the one to keep us on the right track.

Tillie was a 28 week, 2 pound preemie that had quite a fight on her hands the second she was born. The neurologist told us she may be so impaired that she couldn't even suck. Scary! Just sitting beside her tiny little self was an incredible experience. It was clear even then that she was tough enough to make it through.

Here we are swiftly approaching her 21st birthday and she still has what it takes to do whatever she hopes to in life. This daughter of mine was never one to let anything stop her. She was our youngest and our only girl, but she always was able to keep up with her brothers. Some would call it stubbornness, I call it determination that pushed her to become the incredible young lady that she is.

Today, she finds herself at a bit of a crossroads seeking God's guidance in what her next step should be. Losing one of her brothers the day before her 20th birthday sort of took the breath out of her. Returning home from college was where she needed to learn to breath again and it has been so healing for us to have her here.

I know God has a path for her and we are praying for the right direction. Her love has always been Young Life whether as a camper, leader, or volunteering her time to lead the furthest out kids to Christ. It may be that God will take her to one of the far off places that she keeps finding online. My palms are turned up and I will accept whatever and wherever she goes next. Until then I will try to savor everyday I have with this young woman who still is our Midget Mom.

In Him,
Joyful
1-21-2011