Jenny Miller - Life Is a Gift: And Other Lessons Im Learning From My Daughters. - A True Story

Ridgeway Publishing
Medina, New York

LIFE IS A GIFT

Copyright 2011 Ridgeway Publishing

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information retrieval system, without written permission of the copyright owner, except for the inclusion of brief quotations for a review.

Gift box photo Gingerich Photography. All rights reserved.

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Authors Disclaimer:
This is a true story, though I acknowledge that some of the details and timing may not be entirely accurate. I have recreated the events in this book to the best of my ability from my memories, often relying on my journals and scrapbooks as valuable tools in assuring the accuracy of most details.

ISBN # 9780983146056
Library of Congress Control Number: 2011913134

Printed in the United States of America

For Erv,
my steady, unshakable Rock.

I love you more.

A gigantic thank you to:

My Heavenly Father, Almighty God. Over and over Ive given this book to You, and I meant it with my whole heart. Without You, my story would have no meaning. I give You ALL the praise and the glory.

My husband Erv, who encouraged me countless times and believed in me when I didnt believe in myself. Thank you for being the love of my life and my hero.

My editor Kristy, who allowed this book to become much more than a project, choosing to put her heart into her work. Thank you so much for the incredible amount of time, energy, and passion you poured into this book. It was truly a joy to work with you.

My publisher Norman and the folks at Ridgeway Publishing, and to Rosetta in graphic designthank you for the many long hours you invested. You made the publishing process enjoyable.

My mom, Celesta, and my sister, Julie, for listening to me time and time again, for walking this journey with me, and most of all, for being the best mom and sister ever. Love you both.

My Prayer Pals group, Esther, Lydia, Marilyn, and Phyllis, for the great talks at Coyotes Coffee Den and the times we shared our struggles and joys, then prayed together. And to my High Country prayer partners, Beth and Ilene, for caring about my life and sharing yours with me.

So many other friends, too numerous to mention, who encouraged me through this writing process. (You know who you are.) I cant thank you enough for your friendship and for the many ways you cheered me on.

My neighbor Kim, who shares my love for writing and our little cabins along the creek. You have inspired me through our conversations and encouraged me more than you know.

My little sweethearts, Sierra, Courtney, and Brooklyn, for being the most adorable girls in the universe and for the lessons youve taught me. Mommy has so much more to learn from you. I love you forever and always.

The only sound is my blades cutting across the ice as we leisurely skate toward the far end of the arena and round the corner. We spin and twirl as if trying out for the Olympics. Only a little more slowly. And a lot less gracefully.

I whirl my beautiful daughters wheelchair around so she faces me. Happy birthday to you, I sing softly, breaking the silence. Her eyes widen. Happy birthday to you. Her eyes begin to twinkle. Happy birthday, dear Courtney I hold out the note and her face breaks into a big grin. Shes beaming. Happy birthday to you.

We take off again, the wind whipping through our hair as we enjoy the ice and the rhythm and each other. We have the rink all to ourselves, and we take full advantage, singing and laughing and sharing secrets.

Just for today, we pretend there is no such thing as disease or disability. We choose to believe that life is a gift and embrace wholeheartedly the beauty of this day. We relax and reflect and remember

Remember the lessons of faith and life we have learned. Remember the amazing grace of our Father as we walked the journey set before us. And remember the God moments weve encountered along the way some full of joy, others full of heartache, but always undeniably from the hand of God.

All because God sent three darling little girls into my life and changed me into the person I am today. I wish you could meet them. Not just meet them, but truly become part of their lives and allow them to be part of yours. I believe it would change you too.

I grew up in an old farmhouse down a little country road, but I knew how to dream big. My wild imagination took me places far outside my little worldplaces where adventure and excitement waited around every corner. Our backyard became the jungle of Africa, and my grandpas barn a hiding place for fugitives. My cousin and I spent hours playing together, acting out the roles of the main characters in our glorious escapades.

Yet while we dreamt of all the things we might become and looked forward to mysterious, exciting careers, deep down I knew I really wanted to meet the man of my dreams and have a family. As I grew, my love for children increased, and so did my desire to have children I could call my own.

No one has a perfect childhood, but mine came close. I grew up in Central Ohio with a hard-working daddy I had wrapped around my finger and a mommy who stayed home and taught my two brothers and my sister and me the important things about life and God. Add to that doting uncles, fun-loving aunts, tons of cousins, farmer grandpas, and sweet grandmas, and life was everything it should be.

One Christmas after the turkey and ham dinner complete with all the trimmings, the mounds of presents, and the Christmas story read by Grandpa (and no one could read the Christmas story like Gramps), I went for a walk down the country road. The quiet snowflakes set a contemplative mood, and I imagined what Christmas must be like for little girls all over the world. I pictured little girls from Africa, India, Mexico, and Switzerland. I tried to grasp how many little girls there could possibly be, and with all my heart I truly believed that not one of those little girls could be happier than I.

Always there was the dream of my own children someday. I competed with my aunts and cousins to hold the current baby of the family. I just knew someday I would be a teacher, and sure enough, I ended up teaching in the private Christian school I had attended as a child.