Sunday rolled around and we were all headed off to my aunt and uncle’s church. However, Mopsie had to stay back at the house. But she was always good left on her own. We didn’t have to crate her or anything.

I couldn’t take it. This poor child. I pleaded with the Lord on her behalf. We prayed all morning for a miracle, that the Lord would help us to bring a smile to her face that day.

She was an adorable child. She had beautiful black curly hair. She had a petite figure and was wearing a sweet plaid dress. But something about her eyes broke my heart. She looked incredibly sad. No slight form of smile reached her eyes. I was determined to meet this girl. I needed to know her story. Her name was Marileisy.

I know this year has been heavy for a lot of you and you’re tired of it. With Remembrance Day around the corner, it is hard to think about one more heavy topic. It is something that would be easy to glaze over this year and keep going. However, I ask that you do pause and take a few moments on the 11th to consider the safety we have because of the men and women who fought for us.

My cousin had slept over for the night. Halloween fell on a Saturday that year. My parents woke us to some exciting news (the only way to get us out of bed on a Saturday morning). All they said was that we needed to hurry to get ready and come out for breakfast. We ate and jumped in the car, all the while guessing at what they could possibly be up to.

The dark scared me as a little child. We lived on a farm. I was afraid of the crickets and spiders that an old home seemed to invite. I would lay in bed and be afraid

“Stay focused Rachel … You’ve got this … Keep looking in front of you … Don’t look behind … You’ll be fine”

Adversity has taught me three things. One, life is hard. Two, life is short. Three, I have much to be grateful for.

… Michael looked at the volunteer and said, “hello Mr. Bradley”. I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me! I may not have grown up in this city, but Michael sure did …

…The next thing I knew, I woke up to a medical team surrounding my bed…