This Girl

This girl that you see is the one that we were told would not walk or talk. This girl is the girl who we were told would not be placed on the transplant list for the liver she so desperately needed because she would not have a "good quality of life". This girl is the girl whose funeral we have planned more than once. This girl....who is this girl? This girl is my child who I love with a fierce protectiveness that empowers me to make decisions for her and stand up to be her voice. She is the rainbow at the end of every rainstorm. She is the one who has overcome every single obstacle that has been thrown at her. This child has made me stronger than I ever knew was possible. As we come upon Emma's 8th liver transplant anniversary the emotions that run through me are difficult to put into words. It always amazes me that it hits me so hard every year. It is like I am reliving it, and even 8 years later I remember every single detail of the 2 months that Emma was listed and transplanted and all that transpired to make that happen....and all that happened afterward. I cannot fathom not having this child here with me today. She is my sidekick through life. She is my shopping buddy, my social butterfly, my sassy little preMadonna, and I love her with all of my heart (well, she does have to share it with her brother:). Next Monday the 19th of March we will celebrate 8 fantastic years with our new liver. We will pray for the family that made the incredibly difficult choice to donate their beautiful daughter's organs in the most difficult time of their lives.