God Had a Plan

Liliana after her 1st open heart surgery


Liliana today!

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of Liliana's first open heart surgery to repair a complete AV canal defect. I remember waking up really early with an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. I remember waiting for them to come and take her out of my arms and how I broke down and cried because I was so scared of what might happen. I remember thinking...this is all just a dream and I'm going to wake up and everything will be as it was but it wasn't a dream. It was reality. Reality that I had to face and come to grips with.

I didn't have a blog at the time of her first surgery so I don't even have any way of going back to relive the exact thoughts I had that day. Bill was blogging at the time but he isn't the type to express how he feels through his blog. Here is a link to his blog to read more about those first few weeks in the clinic. http://wsrees.blogspot.com/2008/11/surgery-day_05.html It did bring back a flood of memories though when I read his posts from those first few days in the hospital. Oh the emotions we felt! Little did we know that what seemed like a routine surgery for most would turn into a 3 1/2 month hospital stay which included not 1, but 3 open heart surgeries!

I could go on forever about everything that happened. We are so grateful for all the staff, nurses, and doctors at the Cleveland Clinic that took such good care of our Lily. They cared for her and loved her just like she was their own. Their generosity and concern for Bill and I will never be forgotten. They are some of the best people in the world.

I can honestly say that through this whole experience God had a plan. I have blogged about this before and it's true. They say that everything happens for a reason. I know that God used Liliana's hospital stay as a way to bring our family closer to him. He connected us with our wonderful friends Scott and Kathie and in turn we were introduced to our church, the church we now attend and are active in. Our church played a key role in supporting us through this whole thing. They provided food, donations, and most of all prayers and support for our family above and beyond what we already were getting from our own families. He used those around us to bring us back to him to focus our attention on what really matters.

Do I believe in miracles? YES, I do! Because my daughter Liliana is a living miracle! She is a testimony of God's healing power and his neverending love for us! He has taught me through Lily to love again, unconditionally. He has taught me to trust in him and believe that he is in control and that he will supply all of my needs according to his riches in glory.

I had doubts and I had fears but I am here to say that with the help of the Lord I have been able to overcome them. I still have my faults and I still doubt at times and have fears but I know that it will all work out. God will guide and lead the way if I only believe. He has given Liliana to us for a reason. He wanted to show us just how much he loves us, just how much he cares and he did it all through the life of our sweet little girl. Thank you Lord for her life! Thank you Lord for bringing our family closer to you. Thank you for letting us know that the future is bright for Liliana and that we don't have to be afraid of Down syndrome. She is a blessing in our lives and we cherish her with all our hearts. Thank you for opening our eyes this past year and helping us to learn what the true meaning of love is.