The greatest blessing I have been given in life is the gift of motherhood. I'd like to dedicate this page to my beautiful baby girl, now 8 years old, Tabitha. She is such an amazing child with a precious spirit, a sharp mind, and a smile that can so easily brighten the darkest day. I am proud beyond words to be her mama. During my pregnancy, it was discovered on an ultrasound that she had a severe heart defect known as hypoplastic left heart syndrome. My OB doctor told me that with a surgery known as the Norwood procedure, there was a chance she would survive. Five days after her birthdate, February 2, 1997, she had her very first surgery. Her surgeon, along with the rest of the medical staff attending to her, were surprised at how well she pulled through. Most mothers know their child's spirit the moment they first hold them in their arms, and I knew she would be a fighter, a survivor, even though the road ahead would be terrifyingly rough medically speaking. One of the nurses who cared for her during a later hospitalization said to me, "Tabitha is a very old soul. I don't talk baby talk to her." I believe she did come into this life with much wisdom and many talents that later on, she will discover and use on her path, whichever one she may choose. She is an extremely bright, happy little girl, always singing, telling stories, coloring, playing, and creating beautiful art. When I look at her, all I can think is how incredibly blessed I have been to have received this wonderful little person to love and nurture. The gift of perception is definitely there, sometimes she looks at me and I swear she can see right into my soul. As she grows, I will be there to listen to what she has to say and pray that she always knows she can always talk to me, no matter what, to keep her safe in this world that can be so dangerous to the innocent and vulnerable, to guide her to do what she knows in her heart is right, to follow her dreams, and help her find her spirit's voice, so she will always know that there is a higher power to show her the way if the day ever comes that I am no longer in this world. In the end, I want her to be responsible, kind, strong, happy, and healthy, the same things that every loving mother wants for her child.

Here are some graphic adoptions dedicated to Tabitha.

Thanks to  Pocket Full of Stars  for the cute bears.

Midi "Keeper of Dreams" is used with permission and copyright 2004 Bruce DeBoer. His wonderful site can be found here.