A GIFT

I was given a gift. Two years ago today, I gave birth to a beautiful angelic little baby boy. Though he has challenged me throughout these last two years, I am so glad he is here. He communicates differently than most two year olds and it has opened my mind and broadened my horizons to new forms of communication. He has taught me so much about myself and has helped to squash some very negative ideas that I had about myself and my ability to be a mother. I love him dearly. Though I was terrified when I found out I was pregnant, I thank God every day that I have him here with me. I know, after everything he has survived, that he chose to be here, right here, with me. I cannot think of a better gift to be given than being chosen as a mother. I am sure that he is here with me to teach me just as much as I am here to teach him. I look forward to the life that we are going to have together and I feel truly blessed that he thought enough of me to choose me to be his mother.

When I was assaulted, I chose to move away from my home to keep my family and I safe. Because of the timing of my move I had to withdraw from school leaving a very hefty tuition bill due. The loans and grants that I qualified for were returned and I was solely responsible for the entire tuition bill. It was no small tuition bill; it was over $3,000. I tried to get the school to forgive the loan based on the circumstances under which I moved, but they only offered special payment arrangements. So, for the past two years I have been paying on this tuition bill. It has put a strain on my finances and I thought maybe I should try to do something about it. I decided rather than dealing with financial aid and the bursar's office I would write to the president of the college. I typed up a letter once again explaining the circumstances under which I moved. I held the letter close to my heart and prayed for the angels to bring the letter and present it to the recipient. I mailed the letter and tried to put it out of my mind so that the universe and the angels could work magic. Yesterday I received a letter back from the college. I was very nervous and my son decided to open it and read it for me. I broke down in tears when my son said that the letter stated that my tuition bill had been forgiven in the amount of $2374. If ever I doubted the power of the universe, the existence of the angels, and God I am certain now that they exist. Thank you for protecting me and my family and thank you for being the messengers of my letter. I will forever have this as a reminder of your existence and your protection over me.

Gifts come in all different sizes and shapes and come from many different people and places. It is important for us to recognize the gifts that we have been given even when we think there aren't any. I have begun to systematically go through my past and seek out the gifts that I was too ignorant or too angry to see. I have begun to uncover a network of earth angels that have propelled me forward and believed in me even when I didn't care about myself. I have begun to write and send thank you cards to them even though it may have been ten years since I have spoken to them. I hope everyone will take the time to find the gifts they have been given in life and to thank those who have moved them forward and believed in them even in the worst of times. We are all given gifts and we are all blessed with earth angels; we just have to take the time to see them.