Two months into Ayla's apparent disease onset, I was talking with my neighbor and good friend, Genevieve, about the saga in which we were so entrenched. I kept viewing Ayla as a frail little thing, easily beaten down by so much as a gentle breeze, and needed to talk with Genevieve about all my anxiety. She firmly and lovingly redirected my attention to all the fighting that Ayla is actually doing, and that despite her cramps, ulcers, fissures, diarrhea, vomiting, thrush, horrific diaper rashes, torturous drug side effects, etc., she still manages to smile, giggle, play, and, well...THRIVE. She said, "She fights like an alligator!" From that point on, my perspective on my daughter shifted dramatically. This girl refuses to give up. She's an inspiration!
Thanks to Genevieve for this much needed shift in our experience. And thanks to Sara Taddo-Jones for the perfect new name for our girl: The Aylagator!!!! Damn right!!!!
Damn right!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTonight Ayla played with more energy and grace than all of us put together.
Ayla reached out for the chips and ceviche, chased
20 tossed oranges, competed with Jonah to topple the light house blocks over and over again.
With each gleeful
forward step, she challenged us,
set a merry pace and dared us on.
I hope she is sleeping and dreaming up her schemes for us tomorrow.
oh meno...I send so much love and strength to you all one day at a time!! So glad that you are blessed with so much support. Here is to the healing of your beautiful little girl. She can do it!!! carissa
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