What I Want to Say to the Stranger in the Grocery Store

     One of the most common things people say to me when out in public with Breckin is, "Is she asleep?" The reason everyone thinks she's asleep is because for the majority of the time, her eyes are closed. Even when she opens them wide as she tilts her head back to give me slobbery kisses, they are very small. Most of the time, I just tell people, yeah I think she's trying to go to sleep. Or, yeah it's her nap time. Every so often though, I just tell them no she's not asleep, she's blind.
     It never fails that when I tell someone this, they always respond with a sad, "I'm so sorry." I immediately smile and try to turn the conversation around. I tell the person that it's nothing to be sorry about, that she's a happy baby, and that she's such a blessing. Most of the time though, I feel like the person walks away not really believing that I meant any of that. They probably leave feeling sorry for me and Breckin, and may even tell the sad story of meeting a mom with a blind child at the grocery store that day.
    The truth is, my smile that I give that person, is genuine. The words that come out of my mouth when I talk about my child, are sincere. They are not just things I say to strangers to make them feel better, or to make me feel better about Breckin being blind. I am truly and unbelievably blessed to be called by God to be this girl's mother. She amazes me everyday.
     Now of course, being a mother to this girl does not come without it's challenges. There have been many days when I have asked God why He did call me to be her mother. Everyday has some sort of struggle, but everyday also has breathtaking beauty. When I watch my 14-month-old feel around her to find the toy that she wants and grab it, when she reaches for me to pick her up when she hears my voice, when she rolls a car back and forth with me, and when she sings to me with her sweet "la-la-la," I am blessed. When she claps for herself, raises her hand in the air to praise the Lord, and rolls her hands around to tell me she wants to hear "The Wheels on the Bus," I am amazed.
     Seeing her live life, allows me to understand more about the sovereignty, goodness, and power of God. When Breckin was first born, I didn't think she would be able to do any of the things that she is doing now. When we learned that she was born with multiple birth defects, I thought, what are her chances of living a normal life? (By the way, I hate even referring to any part of her as having a defect. To me, they are far from imperfections or flaws, but just part of what makes her who she is.) God is so big though. His power is not confined by something like birth defects.
     From now on, I plan on being even more outspoken about my daughter's blindness. I want others to be blessed by her as much as I am. I want others to see the awesomeness and majesty of God through her. And I want others to see that God did not give her this to be a punishment or curse, but so that He would be glorified!

Love,
Brooke