Angela’s condition served as an emotional detox of sorts for me. Oftentimes assailed with confusion and doubts about the future, I have to remind myself that my worst moment with Angela was infinitely better than not having known her at all. What a void my life had and I didn’t even know it! On better days, my heart is full of possibilities – life has evolved into creating small milestones and rejoicing in incremental successes.

When I was heavy with child and tormented with foreboding, I viewed life like a sleepwalker. For a while I allowed my inner terrorists to stake their claim. I feel no shame at such weakness. One grows from brokenness and becomes illumined from within. Angela and I have difficult moments – she grows frustrated because I cannot understand her oftentimes unintelligible speech despite frenetic gestures. Her anger is valid and I feel helpless. However, these moments are fleeting and we soon make our peace with hugs and kisses. I promise – one day my heart will comprehend what my mind can’t.

Was it personal courage or native strength that got us through the worst of times? Certainly not. It was the “stick-to-it” attitude, a crawling on our belly through unlit tunnels, a faith that dares storm Heaven and equal parts of hope, humor and fortitude that! Today with my child beside me, life has become a dreamscape – a canvass we choose to paint together with life’s brilliant colors just the way we want them. We may even sing off key but that’s ok – we’re just a couple of girls having fun!