Thank You For One Year

It's been one year since I posted my very first blog about Ella. One year since I decided to open up and share our whole story with the world. One year since I sat scared and brokenhearted at my computer, debating whether or not I really wanted to hit that 'publish' button. One year. And today as I read through my very first post and reminisce, I am completely amazed by the transformation that has occurred. Oh, I still sat here with tears streaming down my face as I read through it, just like I did last year, but the tears were different this time. So much has changed.

I really didn't know what to expect when I started this blog. I knew I had to let people know about Ella. About CdLS. I knew I couldn't keep living this "lie" of letting people believe that Ella's small size and delays were directly related to her hospital visits for RSV and Salmonella Poisoning. I knew I couldn't keep 'hiding' her disabilities away. I knew if I wanted to reap the full benefits of the blessings Ella was bringing into our lives, I had to first be honest about them. I knew putting myself out there would be scary. I knew I was terrified of what people would think and say. About Ella. About us. I knew our lives would never be the same.

But what I didn't know was so much bigger.

What I didn't know was the insurmountable support that would surround us because of sharing our story. I didn't know how much people cared-people I hadn't talked to for years, people that I've never even met. I didn't know there were others out there struggling with the same feelings I was having. I didn't know I wasn't alone. I didn't know I would inspire people with our story. I didn't know I would become someone others reached out to when facing a scary situation with their kids. I didn't know how much healing I would find from being honest. I didn't know how writing would help me process the difficult and laugh about the good. I didn't know how much this blog would change me.

I can't say THANK YOU enough to everyone who has followed along and supported Ella, me and our entire family on this journey. Thank you for being there for me and walking alongside me this past year. Thank you for laughing with me (or at me.. whatever) when I needed relief. Thank you for allowing me to, and for celebrating the 'little things' with me. Thank you for crying with me when things were hard. Thank you for holding me up when I was down and supporting me when I needed it most. Thank you for sharing your own stories and trusting me with them. Thank you for encouraging me. Thank you for seeing the beauty that I see in my daughter, not despite her disabilities, but because of the ways they've made her, and us, stronger. Thank you for accepting her just the way she is. Thank you for reading. For sharing. For commenting and 'liking' and making this girl feel so incredibly loved.

As I enter my second year of blogging I am excited to see where this year will lead me. 

Knowing what I know now, it's sure to be life changing.