What I was taught about love by a girl named Carly

When I write in my blog it’s usually….well no it’s always because I have been inspired either by someone or something that was said or done. This one is no different. The only difference with this one is having a hard time finding the words that are passionate enough to convey my feelings and thoughts on this topic. You see I have this dear friend of mine who has a daughter that she was blessed with through adoption and when Sally and her husband Josh received this bundle of joy she was named Carly. To bring you to the topic of this blog I need to tell you that months after this adoption it was discovered that Carly had Rett Syndrome. If you aren’t familiar with this syndrome please take the opportunity to bring awareness to this horrible disease:  http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/rett-syndrome

This little girl and the journey that she would be going on would soon be a journey that through the beauty of the social media we were all allowed the privilege of being there with her. Sally updates us quite often on all the progress that this amazing daughter of hers makes, but also we are updated sadly on the battles that she has to face.

It didn’t take long for me to see that God knew exactly what He was doing by placing this precious soul that He had created into the perfect home. I suddenly and quickly became a huge fan of not only Carly, but also of her mommy and daddy. Had Carly been placed into the arms of another couple I don’t know that she would’ve been loved and provided for like she has been with Sally and Josh. Her parents, as well as those close to her became vigilant crusaders to find a cure for what Carly was diagnosed with. My heart has been touched so many times through the updates and the stories about our precious Carly. My prayers since the day she was diagnosed have been faithful in asking God to be with her and to be with her parents. I find me asking myself often – could I be as strong as Sally as the mother that she is? I’m honestly not emphasizing enough how much I stand in awe of this incredible mother.

A few weeks ago Sally posted something that struck an inspiration in me for this blog. When I tried to sleep that night her words echoed in my mind and made my heart stir with emotion. She was talking about something positive in their lives involving Carly and she said “I know that we don’t have a life that people are jealous of but…” and then she went on to speak of her latest blessings with this beautiful daughter of hers. Those words….wow! It was a defining moment for me as not only a mother, but as an individual as well.

You see to me Sally couldn’t be more wrong. The love that encircles Carly, the faith that stands strong in their belief that one day she will be healed, the caring and compassionate moments that happen within the walls of their home, the celebrations of EVERY milestone – whether it small or huge…..these things are what give so many people a reason to in fact be jealous of the lives that they live. It creates a movement in your own heart that makes you want to have that same love in your own home with your own children. Yes, I have indeed been blessed with 3 relatively healthy and happy children, but there are days…oh Lord are there days….that we try each other, days that we argue and days that we don’t always show each other that we love each other. There are days that we don’t pray as hard for each other, days that we don’t celebrate small victories or applaud achievements. It made me think to myself that when God looks into our homes…Sally & Josh’s and into mine – does He see the same love? Does He see a mother in both houses that is thankful as she should be for what she has been given or does He see a mother in one house who has been given less struggles yet is less thankful or a mother in a house that struggles daily, but yet loves her child unconditionally and thanks God for her daily? Do I love my children any less? Of course not, but Sally taught me something that day that I will always remember… The love inside of a home is not defined by having everything that is perfect according to the eyes of those looking in from the outside….the love is defined by what your love projects from the inside looking out, and in the house where Carly lives there is an abundance of blessings shining from within those four walls and that my friend is something to be envious of and to strive for in your own home.

Thank you Sally and Josh for showing me what a home of love should consist of and for giving us the example of love through your precious Carly. No your home may not be perfect, but the love inside sure is.