She rolls all over the floor, can support herself side to side with her arms, stands with support, sits unassisted like a champ, sleeps through the night, mirrors your smiles,  goes with the flow with a happy heart, loves eating breakfast with her sisters….well, loves doing everything with her sisters! 

There was a time when I couldn’t even dream of reaching this milestone, let alone start planning a 1st birthday party. Giving thanks for life each day, the hard ones and the victorious ones. As we are starting Lent, I am reminded of the journey that we have had, that our whole community has had, with Frankie Mae over the last 11 months. All of the tears, the love, the meals, the people we have met, the incredibly compassionate souls who care for her when I can’t, the space given, the encouraging words continuously offered, and the Grace extended. I am reminded that, even when things are bleak, when hope is shrouded in darkness, and we searching in the wilderness, Easter is on the horizon. Resurrection is around the corner. And there is always hope in that promise.