So, I have a dear friend from High School that I recently reconnected with. Many of you have heard me talk about her sweet little girl, Chloe, who has infantile spasms. I spent a lot of time in Tara's basement during high school, but could never really figure her out. I often wondered why someone as popular, beautiful, and rich as Tara would ever waste time on me and because of a few issues I had with trust and "letting people in" I think she was quite frustrated with me at times. However, I have come to realize that Tara is all heart. People like Tara are able to be friends with everyone and give their full love to each individual just as that person needs. She was always giving. She is the one who talked me into cutting my reeeaaally long hair (in fact, if I recall, she paid to have it straightened and cut so that I would actually do it), and I have never looked back. And in the past few months I have reconnected with Tara on a level that I was never really able (or willing) to during High School.
I remember the first night I found her blog. I was so curious to know her story and I found it on a connecting blog (also authored by her) called KIDZ. Here she told her story of having a perfectly normal baby that turned out to have a neurological disorder. She told of her of struggle to convince someone, anyone, that something was actually wrong, the steps she took to find help, and the ways she fights to make her baby's life better every day. I was hooked. But she even took it a step further, as is typical of Tara, and created this blog called KIDZ so that all parents of children with special needs could find help and rejoice in the love they have, not only for their special needs kids, but for each other as a support group.
She has recently re-vamped this website and yesterday, she posted a story that she put together from an interview about Mialee. If your not sick-to-death of reading about my struggles with Mialee then go check out her story AND Tara's amazing blog. Leave a comment--it helps those of us who are struggling! This link goes straight to the story, but there is a link on the sidebar for the KIDZ blog for future reference.
MEETING MIALEE (Her Story and Mine)
Oh, and thank you, thank you, for all of your previous support and comments. Sometimes writing about my life, that I love, is the only out I have as Mialee is constantly seeking reassurance, Nikell is refusing to be put down, and Sierra is asking about her latest project. :)*
Jeri Dawn
Jeri Dawn
6 comments:
I loved reading your post on Kidz. You're amazing! It's funny how we all have to have trials, but Heavenly Father knows which trials we can truly overcome. Mialee is lucky to have such a loving mom!
I wish there was something I could do or say for you. Just know that I look up to you. I think you are a wonderful mother, and admire how you are with your children. May today, tomorrow, and the weeks and years to come become a little easier for you. Love Ya!
Jeri Dawn, YOU ARE SO SWEET! I never knew you thought ANY of those things about me - in high school or afterward or anything! I was so desperately insecure at that time I didn't think I had any friends, let alone that I was popular, and I certainly didn't think I was pretty! And rich??? I'm still not sure that I agree with that! ;O) Rich in blessings - ok. Anyway, I always have and always will consider you a dear friend whom I love and admire for many reasons! Thank you, thank you for supporting me and my little kidz project and for spreading the word.
Oh my goodness I totally remember the haircut thing - one of my favorite memories of us! I loved that. =) Funny how I thought you should cut your hair, but my hair has always been long. Silly me. =)
Hi Jeri Dawn,
I stumbled upon your blog because of a post Tara left on mine. I used to be your neighbor in Logan, the ward you are currently in. I have a little girl about Mialee's age.
I enjoyed reading your story and have to say...I remember you and your husband as being wonderful parents full of patience and love. I also remember your cute girls.
Jeri Dawn I just read your story on Tara's blog. I must say it touched me. You are an amazing mother and your patience just, I don't even have a word for it. Reading Mialee's story I see my younger sister. We use to pick on her and call her worry wart, hypocondriac. She was ALWAYS nervous and anxious growing up. Now she just turned 43 and has two children of her own. She still worries and she puts a lot on herself that she shouldn't. She married a man that doesn't help her at all, one of those that's a woman's job kinda guys. She is better now. She is a Christian and depends on the Lord and I know it has helped her in her life. She saved my life, literally. She gave me her kidney. As much of a worry wart that she is I know that that was a major stepping stone for her. I didn't really realize that growing up she had a problem. How sad is that? It's took Mialees story and recognizing what my sister use to do that has made me realize this. How awful that makes us. She use to wash her hands, wash her hands then she would go through the motion of washing them and we would call her old lady. Thank you for your story. I am going to send it to all of my siblings because like I said he just never realized it. Even now in our 40's. I'll be praying for you and your little family. Thanks again.
I read your story on Tara's blog. I randomly came across it. You are such an incredible source of strength and faith.
Becky, Curtis's wife. : )
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