Up, Up, and Away

Yep, she did it! She loaded up her laptop, dog, and clothes...and headed to the ATL. My little Ms Independent. She made arrangements with our wonderful friends the Lancasters to pick her up (THEY ARE GREAT FRIENDS!) and embarked on yet another journey in her life. She may have boundaries, but the kid truly believes the scripture that God did not give her the spirit of FEAR.

As we talked the night before she flew out, I was quizzing her about being nervous. She said the only thing that made her nervous was she did not want to be totally bored while she was there. Can you believe that kid? We were talking about one of her friends that has been in trouble. I shared that my friend Suzanne had told me that maybe God has put Jaque with people to let her light shine on them. Then she started singing the song, This little light of mine. We laughed because Grandma Donna sung it to her often while she was growing up.

When we got to DFW, and finally got to security, you would have thought that she had carried a gun in. She was patted down, again, again.....in fact, it actually was making those standing behind us angry for the amount of patting that they were doing. I saw several grandma's and papa's that were definitely becoming a security risk. My blood pressure was quickly rising...but not Jaque. She was calm, cool, and said, "I know I sure don't need to lose my temper in the airport." She really never ceases to amaze me.

So, there she and Eddie went...rolling down to her plane. She was in good hands. I think that it was good he went with her. Her mind had to be on him, his safety, and his well being. She had to make sure that he was #1 and taken care of, therefore she did not really worry at all about herself.

It is a great feeling in the moments that your child "gets" what life is about. I am finding out with teenagers that can be in weeks, months at a time. And then it can only last a few hours at a time. Life is funny that way.....the things you are most sure and confident of can slip at a moments notice.

I know that in these moments, especially with teenagers, that it is the devil doing his work. That he preys on those of us that have a special relationship with our children. He seeks them out in an attempt to separate them, and bring them over to his side of the street.

It is hard to watch our kids struggle. It was so hard watching Jaque get on that plane. So many things I could see happening or obstacles that she would face in a short 1 1/2 hour flight. But there she went, head held high....rolling as fast as she could. She was as prepared as I could get her.....then I had to let her go. She had to go at it alone. Sure she had a net waiting at the other end, but alone she was.

I know that it would have been the same emotional roller coaster for all of you, your kid walking in or rolling in. The feeling of your kid gaining independence is the same. Same fears, disappointments, and in the end, the same sense of accomplishment when the light bulb goes off, no matter what the task.

We have been watching reruns of Friday Night Lights. Where the stud QB gets injured on a hit and struggles with being in a wheelchair. It has new meaning the second time around for me. And it is crazy that there has not been one place Jason Street has went into that has not been accessible! But it does make you realize that kids go through a lot at school, college or HS. They are just trying to fit in and find their way. If they are good kids, it is that much harder. You know the old saying, if you lay down with dogs you wake up with fleas....enough said about that.

To one of my dear friends, just remember, kids will be kids, and they will lash out at the ones that love them unconditionally. They will attack us, because they know we expect so much out of them.

I did want to make mention that I read an article in the US today news that they did the first implant of stem cells in a human patient at the Shepherd Center yesterday!! They are in Phase I clinical trials, and making sure it is safe on humans. PRAISE THIS MIGHTY WORK. I know many of my friends may have different views on this situation. political and religious.

Let me challenge you this -- come spend one day with my family -- or better yet, go volunteer with a spinal cord injury patient at a rehab or veterans center. Just one day of your life, ONE DAY. And then tell me your view. Stem cell research is going to work. God HAS guided the hands of these researchers and doctors. He has paved the way for them to learn. AND it will make people walk again. When, where, and how...those questions are answered by our higher power. But HIS WILL is going to BE DONE. And by the way, spinal cord injuries are the tip of the ice berg for Stem Cells.

While you are out and about today, drag your feet. Literally, drag your feet where ever you go. See the obstacles that people that are in wheelchairs face in their every day, normal activities. Then, choose to make a difference.

Thank you God for the life that you have given me. Thank you Lord for each day that I have on this earth. Through my obstacles, you have me stronger and more prepared to take on whatever the devil might throw at me. Give me strength, hope, and love. Give me the ability to touch others through the life of my WONDERFULLY GORGEOUS daughter. Thank you for the beauty in life I see through her eyes.

We have but one life to live. One brief moment on this earth. May my moment be worth something. May my child never wonder that I love her and that I am proud of her. For the bad that might happen, and the good that continues to shine, let her know that she is loved.