~The Story of Unconditional Love Through My Eyes~

"Motherhood is about raising and celebrating the child you have, not the child you thought you would have. It's about understanding that he is exactly the person he is supposed to be. And that, if you're lucky, he just might be the teacher who turns you into the person you are supposed to be." ~The Water Giver

I came across this quote today and it brought to mind my youngest son Bennett-Chadlen.  Upon further inspection, this Mother wrote this book all about her son that nearly died in an accident and struggles with an Acquired Brain Injury.  

It is the story of a Mother's love and determination to assist her child to succeed and re-learn all the things that many of us take for granted.  Through her writings we are able to observe not only her feelings, but the healing journey and poignant look into this family's day to day experiences.

The Water Bearer is a story that I could have written myself, and maybe one day I will, as I too am the Mother of a son that has struggled through life with the residual effects of his own Traumatic Brain Injury received after being struck by a teenage driver at the age of 4.

It is a story that I became re-acquainted with when I learned of Tristan and Tanner's 'Hereditary Spherocytosis', and again when Bennett-Chadlen was diagnosed prenatally with his Trisomy 13.

The love for my son's has sustained me, and pushed me to persevere through excruciating times in our life.  There were days I felt utterly alone and overcome with emotions.  Some days I could only sit alone and cry and wonder WHY?  Why so much heartache?  Why me?  Why us?  WHY, WHY, WHY?

In the silence that followed the deep purging of fearful tears and the ever-nagging, complex questions I had for the universe......I felt renewed and gained the strength and courage necessary to take each burden and create a challenge to overcome.

I was born and blessed with a fierce determination to identify and tackle all of life's challenges to the best of my ability.  I create a list of 'things to DO', and I won't stop until I have exhausted that list.  When I cannot think of one more thing to DO, I will then take a deep breath and chalk that up to a learning experience and do my best to function and cope with the daily struggles.

I appreciate each and every day, and cherish the small things in life.  I start and end each day with an awareness of the miracles surrounding us and I'm grateful for the pure gift of life.

My boys have taught me to love deeply, unconditionally.  Because of them I strive to be a better person.  There are no words that can capture the true essence of my love and admiration for all of the special  people in my love that I hold near, and dear to my heart.

I shall leave you with these words.......

Face each challenge.  DO your best.  Be brave, courageous, and compassionate in everything you DO.

And always remember ~ There is no such thing as failure.

~photo courtesy of Heather Renee Morgan of Lifespark.ca~

~ I'm a SPACE INVADER & proud of it ~

~I LOVE HUGS!  Lots and lots of hugs!  I love hugs so darn much that I have a photobucket album entirely devoted to HUGS!

When I meet you, I will shake your hand and smile.  If we have a great talk involving the sharing of personal information sprinkled with mutual compassion and empathy, then I'll probably hug you when we part ways and hope to see you again soon.

The next time I see you, I will probably greet you with a hug!  Hugs are awesome, and are generally followed with good karma and contentment.

Hugs are universal.  You can find huggers everywhere in the world!  If you come to Manitoulin Island and meet me----be ready----I WILL HUG YOU!

I hug my boys spontaneously at any given time throughout the day.

I will hug them when they leave for school.  I will hug them when they get home from school.  I will hug them as they pass by me in the kitchen, hallway, anywhere!  I hug them when they go to bed.

I love hugs in the sunshine.  

I love hugs under a tree.  

I love hugs in the rain, snow, and sleet!  

I just really LOVE HUGS!

If I like you, and you've been nice to me, I will hug you when I see you.  Even if we're in a very public place.  I don't care what anyone thinks when they witness public displays of affection.  I really don't.  I WILL HUG YOU ANYWAY!

Hugs are comforting.  They feel good when you're feeling down.  It's nice to receive a hug from someone that cares enough to notice that you appear to need one----or two---or three!

If you're a dog......I will hug you.  If you're a bird and you need some help, I will hug you gently in my hands and return you to safety and hope you grow up big and strong so you can help and HUG your own babies!

FREE HUGS make the WORLD GO ROUND!

If you're not a morning person, and I see you in the morning.....I will hug you.  I will hug you before you even get your first cup of coffee.  I will hug you after you get your coffee.  Then I'll hug you again just because I love hugs!  Have a great day!

 

I love my son Brendan.  
I love him so much, that sometimes I will hug him for no reason.
Spontaneous hugs because he is awesome.
Especially on his birthday!
FREE BIRTHDAY HUGS!!!
Is there anything better than birthday hugs???

http://www.freehugscampaign.org/

~HUGS......THEY'RE IN YOU TO GIVE!

~I love HUGS so much that I include them in every email embedded in my signature!

http://as-the-bridge-swings.blogspot.com

Project Leader for Nimkee Blessings,
http://nimkee-blessings.blogspot.com/p/labelledamecomjewelry-to-nurture-and.html
 
Love, Peace, & Nimkee Blessings,
Melissa:
~proud mum to:
^Angel^Bennett-Chadlen~March 29-April 6, 2007 & ^Angel^Noah-Alexander~Aug.6/99, & 4 other awesome sons~Brendan, Tristan, Mason, & Tanner

http://my-baby-is-an-angel.blogspot.com/

http://nimkee-blessings.blogspot.com/

http://livingwithtrisomy13.org/MemoriesofBennett.htm

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~Bennett-Chadlen ~ NICU Days~

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

These pics were taken during Bennett-Chadlen's stay in the NICU at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Much love and Nimkee blessings to those who understood and accepted our unconditional love and pure desire to have Bennett-Chadlen in our lives for as long as possible.

The days and nights were long, but I just couldn't get enough of him.  I stood for hours and hours just gazing upon his beautiful face.  He had gorgeous dark, wavy hair and the silkiest baby skin imaginable.  I loved to feel the warmth of his hand in mine as he gripped onto my finger.  I will never forget the times he opened his eyes and looked at me, and stirred his arms and feet ever so slightly.  I still remember his sweet new baby fragrance, and the way he felt in my arms.

I didn't get a lot of the "firsts" that all eager parents await when their babies are born.

I didn't ever get to hear him cry.  He was 4 days old the very first time I got to kiss him, all captured by the photographer's lens.

The first time I held him was the day I rocked him to his forever sleep.


Our lives have been forever touched by this beautiful, courageous soul.

Gzaagin Nimkee, Baamaapii Gawaabmin, Until We Meet Again xxoo