Thursday, January 31, 2008

Embrace the Possibilities

She was full of life, with a twinkle in her eye and an impish smile tugging at her lips. She was average size for a child and she loved life and thought everything was quite possibly perfect.

Each day was filled with adventure, bare feet and shirts buttoned in disarray. Since she had learned to dress herself her clothing had made their own fashion statement, yet she seemed more than pleased with her selection each morning.

She could be found at every opportunity following behind her Daddy chattering. He would turn his head occasionally nodding attentively. Many times she would stop and look up at her Daddy with eyes full of worship; was there anything he couldn’t do?

The morning brought a day of bright sunshine and cool breezes. As she wondered outside to find what the day was to bring, there was Daddy working on the brush mower. She watched quietly as he labored over the mower to get it running. When he started the big machine the sharp teeth jumped into action. She stood and watched with amazement and awe. The teeth seemed to move in a fluid motion that seemed to mesmerize her as she reached up her little finger to touch the magic.

The monster roared into life as it sliced the little finger off and tore the second finger loose. Life seemed to stand still as she heard her Daddy scream with deep intensity, yet the sound of his fear and the rushing of her Mommy from the house didn’t seem to fit the deep impact of pain and agony that seem to rush deep within her.

As Momma rushed to her she gathered her up and wrapped her little hand in the black apron that hung around her waist. The apron soon became blood soaked as they raced toward the emergency room.

The room smelled of antiseptic and rubbing alcohol as they gently laid the little girl on the table. Momma stood near by holding the little hand that was whole as the nurses and doctors quickly went to work on the other little hand with its severed fingers. As quickly as the sharp pain from the injection ripped through her hand it subsided as swiftly bringing instant relief from the torrent pain. Momma was there one moment, and then Daddy was taking her hand as the nurses led Momma away.

A shot of pain medicine, hand wrapped in bandages and the family headed home to try and find some manner of solace. Medicine was to be administered every 4 hours that would bring some comfort and deep sleep for the little girl. The doctor had warned about depression and pain because of the trauma suffered.

Instructions were given to keep her quiet and still. But minutes later when Momma turned around there she was turning summersaults on the couch. Momma’s heart skipped a beat as she rushed over to calm the child and coax her into lying still. “Sleep; there would be deep sleep after the pain medicine was given” Momma contemplated.

Night came and the little girl slept peacefully between Momma and Daddy. Exhausted sleep finally came to them too. Sometime deep in the night both parents were startled awake to “I want milk and graham crackies.”

Years have passed and this child has grown into a loving, God-fearing woman. Time and time again she has risen above the odds that life has thrown at her. Instead of letting the missing finger set the tempo for her life, she has scaled new heights and embraced each ordeal with renewed strength.


Philippians 3:13-14Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very nicely written, Monalea. I know such a little girl, now grown. Life has handed her more than her share of hard knocks. Yet she serves as an inspiration to all who know and love her. She certainly inspires me!

Anonymous said...

I love you! And I'm blessed to know that little girl!

Davlyn

Anonymous said...

I just read your blog through tears as I lived through it before.
You don't know how many times your Dad and I cried when you weren't looking. We both felt so negligent,
so heart broken. We only felt better a little when you were about five and decided you wanted a false finger. We went to get one, but you were playing and said "go without me, just pick out a pretty purple one." I knew then that you'd overcome any sensitivity about that little lost finger. Your a marvel!

Monalea said...

"Uncle" Roy, I didn't realize I inspired you......you are too generous with your compliments.

Davlyn......the blessing goes both ways.

Mom, you have always been there for me and I love you the more for it.

Monalea

David Kirk said...

Thanks for sharing!

TREY MORGAN said...

This little girl has blessed my life in ways she'll never know. She's helped me to become who I am and what I want to be.

I will never be able to thank God enough for a sister who has truly defined the word "sister."

I love you!

Cornelius Crew said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Cornelius Crew said...

Your stories always inspire me. After all the hard times that have come your way, you continue to look to God, knowing HE is in control. Thanks for helping continue in the way I should go. And to look for the "pretty purple" things in life!
Love you!

Matt said...

Hmm Thank you for your wisdom you share with me and the way you have chosen to look at life. have a great day.

Monalea said...

David, I'm always glad you read my blog.

Trey, your kind words made my eyes damp, and I wasn't even cutting onions. You are too precious to me!

Dixie, Thank you for your inspiring words. And I'll try to remember to look for the purple things in life.

Matt, Thanks for the encouraging words.

Monalea

TREY MORGAN said...

Happy Birthday today! I glad you were born 48 years ago today...

:)

preacherman said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MONALEA
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOO YOU

AND MANY MORE ON CHANNEL 4
AND FRNAKENSTIEN ON CHANNEL 9
AND SCOOBY D00 ON CHANNEL 2

ANY WH00
HAVE A HAPPY BRITHDAY!

Matt said...

Happy birthday I am so glad you were born. Hope you had a great day.

Anonymous said...

Happy belated B-day!

Monalea said...

Trey, thank!

Preacherman, thanks for the song and it was sang on tune and I love the added lines. Excellent!

Matt, Thank you!

nb - anytime is a good time for a happy birthday!

Mommysmart said...

Hello Monalea,

Happy belated birthday. You share the day with one of my favorite people, my grandmother.

I loved this story. Since God gives and takes away, I would imagine that in place of that finger you received extra heart. You are a great encouragement to me.

Monalea said...

Oh Monica,

What an awesome outlook. Thank you for sharing. I have never thought of it this way. You are wonderful!

I'm so glad I share this special day with your grandmother.

Monalea

preacherman said...

I hope you have a blessed week.
Thank you so much for your prayers. I apprecaite it so much sister. God bless you and strengthen you!
Kinney Mabry