St. Catherine's Bound

Her voice was like a happy song today when she called me on the way home from a cake tasting.  “Mom, they loved it!  Everything went so well.  I had been so nervous.  But they thought it was beautiful, and loved how it tasted.  And I might get the chance to make another wedding cake this summer as well!  And I made a decision…….I am going to go to St. Catherine’s for college!”  College!  Naomi Stewart is going to college, away from home, away from my hug’s reach, and I can barely breathe as my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude and praise for the miracles that God has done in her life. 

In January 2017, just 4 years ago, she was in the middle of 8th grade.  She was healthy and vibrant.  Soccer season was about to start, and she was hoping to be a part of the State Championship team again.  Our house was often filled with the beauty of the piano, as she would practice for hours on end.  She had so much energy, and she was always in the middle of whatever was going on with her siblings.  High school was just around the corner, and she was excited about learning more, and continuing to read all the classics.  We had no idea that in just a few short months her entire life would radically change; that all our lives would.  We could not have known that a young man would sit and drink himself into a stupor one night, and run us down and into another car.  That his choice to drink and then drive completely out of his mind would demolish our child’s vibrant life when she was nearly killed as the other car slammed right into where she sat in the passenger’s seat. His choices on March 31st, 2017 completely transformed the trajectory of Naomi’s life.   

Instead of health and strength, she violently entered brokenness and pain. And her last 4 years have been taken up with medical care, physical therapy, painful surgeries, debilitating pain, headaches, tests, more tests, more physical therapy, and long stretches of time away from her family for specialty care across the country.  She has battled debilitating headaches and joint pains that inhibit her ability to do many of the things she used to enjoy, including piano and sports.  But somehow, through all of that, she has continued to stay right on course with her peers, completing her high school education, along with about 35 college credits, while working part time as a baker for a local cafe.  Her baked treats are a bit of a hot commodity around these parts.  

   

The truth is, it wasn’t until her most recent surgery this summer that she actually began to thrive again physically.  For most of the last 4 years she has had a few good days here and there, scattered far between long stretches of feeling awful.  Joint aches, headaches, neck pain, poor sleep, and crippling fatigue have been just a few of the hurdles she has faced.  But after her tethered cord surgery it was like she was set free.  Be very clear, there are still really, really bad days...but those are now much less common.  She can finally exercise again regularly, and we even hear the piano some again.  Every day she faces the choice to work through pain (to some extent), but she can do more each day, and her smile has become a regular again.  Her life personifies endurance, and she is stronger now than she has been in all this time since that night.

Last year she was terrified that she wasn’t going to be ready for college.  Fear crept in that somehow between all she’s been through that she has been missing out on growing up, or learning the life skills needed to make it through college; that she had missed “the train”.  Many hours have been spent reassuring her that she hasn’t missed any train.  She’s been living life, the life she has, and she’s been learning plenty.  I don’t think she really believed that until her acceptance letter arrived in the mail from St. Catherine’s this fall, along with merit based scholarships to cover all 4 years of her education, followed shortly by an invitation into the honors program.  Regardless of whether she believed me before, she is convinced now:  She is going to college and she is ready.  (And she will remain a nerd, which gives her great delight.)  

It’s hard for me to dread her leaving, as I am so overwhelmed with joy that she can leave! Her packing list will include her Kitchen Aid mixer (named Martha), her clothes and favorite books, but most importantly it will include the lifetimes of courage, perseverance, and strength she has developed in the fire of adversity.   She will carry us, her cheerleading squad, in her heart.   Her life exemplifies God working for good in all situations.  He provides her every need, and He will be with her every step she takes. 

So here’s to the next journey, my sweet baby.  I’ll be right here, like a little girl on Christmas morning, just waiting to see what all God has in store for your life.  I know that high school wasn’t what you thought it would be.  I’ve grieved that alongside you.  But this is my prayer for you now….

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.  ...The LORD will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you.  You shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exalt!  The LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.  The LORD has anointed you to bring good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captives....to give the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit.”   

Shine Bright, my love.  I couldn’t be more proud of you.