Letter from Rachael Merritt, January 17, 2011
Celebrating God's Miracle
Our Beautiful Daughter Abby Paige Merritt
Part 2
|
Abby's Third Year Anniversary |
Letter from Rachael Merritt, January 17, 2011
Celebrating God's Miracle
Our Beautiful Daughter Abby Paige Merritt
Part 2
|
Abby's Third Year Anniversary |
Mommy, Abby, and Daddy at Great Plains State Park
On January 17, 2011 we celebrated our “family day.” What a wonderful, special three years. Three years ago, we officially welcomed “Abby Paige Merritt” to our family-the judge waived all waiting periods and much to our surprise-court days were over!! Our lives were forever changed--and for the better-SO much better!!!
She came into our home as a very small child who rarely talked and acted as a two year old. She was so withdrawn from everyone and everything. She was so afraid to attach herself to anyone or anything. I spent all my waking hours working with her. I won’t go into detail as to all that entailed.. as it really isn’t fair to her. I felt her anger at times which was justified after all she had been through. As a three year old, she had suffered more emotional trauma than I have in my thirty five years. Slowly she began to open up to love. As she did, she fought that love even harder.
Slowly and surely God began to work in our little girl and she blossomed. She loves hugging everyone. Her smile is infectious, her laughter like joyous church bells, her personality just lights up a room. She learned to love and to receive love. It is truly amazing how love can change a person.
She began to talk... what a joy it was as she began to share things with me. I will never forget the first time I referred to myself as “Mommy” to her. She looked at me in amazement and asked “Are you my mommy?” I said “If you want me to be.” She gave me a hug and kiss. Tears came to this mommy’s eyes. What a precious moment. I never thought I would have a child. I cried lots of tears the very first time we took a nap together--just watching her sleep was like a dream come true.
Before Abby came to live with us, Daniel used to go up front of the church during services and hold Abby. She would hold him tight around the neck-and just hum. They loved each other so very much--long before she ever became a part of our family. To think that God would give Daniel his favorite little girl as his daughter brings such an amazing joy. Surely only such a thing could be possible if God made it so.
Our family feels complete. I have the pleasure of home schooling Abby. She is a wonderful student-with a mind eager to learn. She is such a sweet daughter.
Abby loves learning
She loves to help mommy with cooking, laundry, cleaning and most anything mommy does. Trips with daddy are one of her favorite things. Her special time with daddy tucking her in at night is one of her favorites as well--as she giggles and hides EVERY night under the blankets!
Abby wanted and got her own vacuum and little washer
Mommy's little helper
So, I want to thank my Lord and Saviour for making such a miracle possible in our lives. Our home is full of laughter, joy, and a special light only a child can bring--all because the Lord placed in our home a child of His own. For all children belong to him, and he loans them to us to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I pray we put as much energy as we should into rearing our dear daughter as we should.
May God bless our home and may God bless yours. Rejoice in the smile and laughter of a child, rejoice in their love and affection--for what can be sweeter??
She had a strange reaction when we mentioned her story to her the night before her anniversary. So her daddy talked to her. She told him that "I didn't like my life back then." Daniel said it seemed like such a grown up thing to come out of a seven year old's mouth. She likes to pretend she has always lived here--but she did say she wanted to celebrate the fact that she "gets to live with mommy and daddy forever." We had planned to go to the park, but it isn't as warm as they said. We will probably get Chinese as that was her one BIG request!
Time flies by... yet in some ways it seems we have always had her!
We love you Abby--you are our baby and you always will be. Happy Anniversary!