The Story of Us

Wait... what? Loving not my child? Melissa, that doesn't make sense. Come on a journey with me please, as I explain what's happening in foster care. Imagine if you will: You're a 13 year old girl and you're the oldest. Your little brother is 5 years old, your little sister is 9 months old. You know that Mom sleeps a lot. And there are a lot of new 'uncles' that come around. A couple of them have done things to you that you have no reason to believe is appropriate for them to do to you, but you've been told that your mommy will die or get hurt if you say anything to anyone about what's happened or happening. One day while you're home from school and Mom is asleep again on the couch, the cops are banging on the door. Mom says not to answer the door to anyone, especially the cops. So you take your brother and sister upstairs to a closet and hide. It's hard to hide when your baby sister won't stop crying because she's hungry and your brother ...

 It's become very blatantly obvious that people don't always understand the Lord. I'm going to say that I'm one of those people. There are things I don't understand about the Lord. I have a point though. Please follow along carefully. Hebrews 13:8-16 NKJV Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him l...

 So I've got several nieces and nephews. My youngest sister has four (4) young'uns and one (1) on the way. I'll never forget when she finally had a girl and she was so excited! All her kids are hilarious! The little girl is the only girl my youngest sister will ever have. I do wish I could see them more often. But life. And if I could get to know them better, I would. To all of those kids, I've got my own advice for them as well. Pick your battles carefully. Your family is always around. No matter what happens, pick up the phone and call your mom. If you're able call your grandparents. You'll never know how much you will miss it until they're gone. How I wish I could tell all of you about Grandmother and Granddaddy Garner and how I wish you could've met them! The memories I have of them are amaing and me telling you about them doesn't do any justice. And in the words of Bob Dylan,  May God bless and keep you always May your wishes all come true May y...

 When I found out my sister was having a second child, I was so happy! After the birth of my niece, I knew that I could love another child just the same. We had a gender reveal party to find out what my sister was having the second time around.  He came out with one dimple in his right cheek. He was completely bald; outside of just peach fuzz. His little head was so perfect! Between the ages of birth to 3 years old, my nephew was the CUTEST baby! And he knew it! We all doted on him and his sister. My youngest sister had a boy as her first child and he's a cutie patootie as well! But that's for another day.  My first nephew has me wrapped around his little finger and he knows it! He lovingly calls me Aunt Mimi and I love it! He makes everyone laugh because he takes after his daddy. Every child has phrases they say as they grow up and I'll never forget a couple of his. The first time I laid eyes on my oldest nephew, I fell in love at first sight all over again! I couldn't...

November 2011. My sister and her husband announced her first pregnancy. I was so excited to be an aunt! We found out she was having a girl!  June 2012. We were all at the hospital waiting for her to make her arrival. My sister was wheeled into surgery to have a C-section and we waited down the hall. All 7 of us waited. Until we heard, from down the hall, a loud baby scream and cry. She was here! All 9 lbs 6 oz and 21 inches of her!  Her father wheeled her out as her mother was finishing in surgery. One look at her and I believed, at that very moment, in love at first sight. I hadn't ever believed it before seeing her face. What was it about this new child that made me fall in love that fast? She was so beautiful and she still is beautiful! Dimples and all.  I won't ever forget that moment though! Her sweet chubby cheeks and her swaddled in a blanket. Her mother came out of surgery and we got to talk. She was so happy and exhausted at the same time. I'd never seen my siste...

 It's not easy being in the state of health … or lack thereof … that I'm currently experiencing. I've never had to do dialysis before. I always thought that was for poor people. Or those who can't eat normally. Well, here I am. Not eating normally and on dialysis. Am I angry? Yes. At myself. I wasn't taking care of myself. I had the flu twice in the same year, had an upper respiratory infection for 10 months (while being in childcare), experienced COVID-19, and I still wasn't taking care of myself. Not outside of normal visits to the doctor for all the things that I was getting (see illnesses listed above). If not for my wonderful husband, I wouldn't be alive.  He dragged me kicking and screaming literally to the doctor when I had my upper respiratory infection. I did kick him and I did scream at him. Yet, I still went to the doctor. Now if I'd gotten the help I need sooner, maybe my life would be different. But I digress. Living with the health issues I...

 I've been out of pocket for awhile. I was in the hospital a second time due to some breathing issues and I'm beginning to heal from that. What was wrong with my breathing? Well, a chest tube and 4 liters of fluid later, my left lung is finally clear and I'm able to actually breathe. I don't feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest and I'll be able to get my peritoneal surgery in a week.  So what am I waiting for? And how long must I wait? Transplants are in the next one to two years. I never thought I'd ever need a transplant for anything. Seriously. Never in my life did I believe that I would need a transplant. A kidney isn't an easy thing to find. People aren't on the street corners just handing out kidneys. If only it were that easy, right? My family is being tested. I'm fairly certain I'll get one from a family member before I get one from a stranger. Only God knows. Lord willing, I'll find one sooner than later.  I've had a lot ...