Touched

I have never known kindness in my life like I have since my Ashley's birth. Something about this tiny baby girl and the gift given to me the day that I answered the phone touched me so deeply that I was never the same. Each and every day since she arrived into my heart I have been blessed by another's gift, another's kindness, another's touch. As I think about the many ways my life and my heart have been touched my eyes begin to fill with tears. I have learned that most people are good, most people are kind, and most people are looking for another person to share with what they have been blessed with in their lives.

The one thing I will never forget about my Ashley's birth mom is the kindness I saw deep inside of her eyes. There was something about this lady that made me see in her what I wanted others to see in me. We didn't spend much time together. We didn't have long conversations. We only had a brief encounter, but I will never forget the look of what I felt was a kindness to her and a gentleness in her spirit. Maybe I am wrong, but I believe that God gave me this sense about her so that someday I might share it with my daughter. I believe in my heart that He wanted me to have something beautiful to tell my Ashley.

As the pages of my Ashley's story unfold before me I am surrounded by the kindness of others. If only I had the words to describe each and every kind act that has been shown towards my family you too would begin to see why I have been so touched. The acts of kindness have come to us in many different forms. There have been gifts. There have been donations. There have been cards and letters. There have been meals. There have been words of encouragement. There have been constant prayers offered. There have been phone calls. There have been afternoons spent in waiting rooms. There have been rides to and from school. There have been patients cared for. There have been plane tickets. There have been shoulders to cry on. There have been listening ears. There have been piggy banks emptied. There have been toys unselfishly given. There have been kisses from toddlers on the computer screen. There have been friendships offered to a mom 700 miles away from home. I am touched by your generosity to love my Ashley and to love Him by loving us.

As I hold my Ashley tonight I know I have been touched by the One who gave her life. He has touched me deep inside of my soul and I will never be the same. He has given to me such an appreciation for others, for their struggles, for their hurting hearts, and for their souls. It is because of my Ashley's life and her struggles that I have learned to truly allow myself to love others and to have the desire to be used by Him to touch their lives in some way. It doesn't take an abundance of wealth to show kindness to another. It doesn't take a special talent or skill. I have learned that it takes nothing more than my willing heart to do His will and when I am looking for ways to allow Him to be seen in me the kindness begins to spill out.

Thank you for the willingness you have shown to be kind towards us. We have been touched in such a way by each of your acts of kindness that we will never again be content to live our lives without seeking ways to be kind to those around us. We have been so touched and so blessed that we will never be the same. Thank you Jennifer for your phone call. Thank you Jill for your presence. Thank you each one who logged on, left a message, typed a comment, prayed for our baby, and reached out to touch us today. I am blessed to know you. Good night and God bless you. Trish