My school family were amazing. They sent us to each new children’s doctor, new hospital with love, hope and extra money for food. I had to learn to lean on other people.
I’ve always relied on my God, my Grandma and myself. Going through the devolving of Liberty’s health taught me that I would have to rely on others. And I didn’t want to. I didn’t have the heart space to be open to any new people. Then the bubbly, curly headed, bossy little lady came into the teacher’s lounge: enter April Wolterstorff. Now those who know me, know I’m not a fan of very loud and bossy women. I like calm and this beautifully boisterous woman wrecked my quiet in many ways. Keep being your bold and fierce self!
She told me she was going to be my friend. What did the little weirdo know about me and my life. And friend me she did. She told me about her son, Kyle and how she’s leaned to be his Momma.
April gave me lists of people to call and organizations to become a part of. How to reach the Special Needs departments of health insurance. How to ask for the right person to get the right appointment in the confusing world of children’s medicine.
April also tried to help me voice my emotions. I had become stoic as a shield. Six months into Libby collapsing on the way home from school and I had not cried. Doctor had asked me if we wanted to focus on quantity or quality of life Libby, she was 12, and I hadn’t shed a tear. Nine months in and I hadn’t been able to release the valve. April told me it was okay. I could feel what was happening to Liberty and my family and not fall completely apart. She taught me so much.
I ended up bringing Liberty to Caprock with me for her high school years. April was in charge of the ACC department and she continued to amaze me with her knowledge and patience in training me. Libby started her freshman year walking the halls and finished in her wheel chair. (She did kind of zombie walk at her graduation with immense help.) April adapted and adjusted with Liberty as her disease progressed taking more and more from her body. She allowed me to be the teacher and not be the broken momma.
April also calls me on my shit. If I’m hiding my emotions she will often shoot down my shield until I tell her the truth. Everyone needs a gentle truth detector in their life. I’ve loved her healthy and as her body had rebelled against her. When she had to leave teaching I was devastated, but I knew that her body needed what it needed. And I love her still.
She has been my “go to” for all things since that day in the teacher’s lounge. Now she’s moving away to embrace wonderful opportunities for her family.
I don’t have a place to put these emotions.
I will forever be grateful for her love and support. You keep on with your glittery self. Shine on my beautiful friend. My sister. My claimed family.
And thank you. Thank you. Thank you my Texas unicorn.
Mariah and I made the trek this week to Cook Children’s to get Liberty’s Baclofen pump refilled. Because of the upcoming surgery Rachael will need, I jumped at the chance to spend some time with Mariah. We have never had any mother and daughters trips, so off we went. There and back again within 36 hours. Grateful for any time I get with Mariah. She has truly grown into the woman I dreamed she would be.
Thank you Mariah for being my chaperone.
Actually let Mariah drive and then I crashed.
Mariah always be your fearless and bold self!
Take the time you get with your loved ones and your chosen family and embrace them for the bodacious people they are.
Take the time you get with your loved ones and your chosen family and embrace them for the bodacious people they are.
Today is November 7 and our nation is beginning a transition. Please focus on the beauty in your life and do joy spew negativity on other people. Be kind. Be uplifting. Be the light we are CALLED to be.
Yes there are places for anger, but spewing anger at others isn’t going to help us ALL heal and grow forward. Both sides have fear and claim injustice. Stop yelling and listen with an open heart. Hear before hurting. Be gentle with one another as we all learn to navigate this new era.
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