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I listened in horror as the social worker shared about three children found so abused and neglected that only two survived, and that was still questionable. As she spoke the details a drowning feeling came over me, her voice a far off muffled sound that faded in and out like the waves. I was unable to hear the details, submerged in the incomprehensable when the word "unadoptable" pushed me to the surface and all that came next was bright and clear.   could almost feel the hands of the potter reaching down from heaven cupping my spinning world and gently reshaped the letters into "untouchable". As the image of Jesus pushing his way through the crowds to get close to the outcasts and the unclean rose beyond the mist. 

I thought about the man with leprocy who touched Jesus' robe and said, "Lord if you are willing" and Jesus responded, "I am willing."   

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There was no question, I was willing .

 

I can now admit to being naïve when considering my answer and I would paint a false picture if I didn’t share that raising my eldest daughter was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done; in fact, it was crazy hard, tumultuous, and often left me feeling ill-equipped and full of self-doubt. But loving her is also one of the most profound gifts I’ve ever held. 

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The early years were spent bringing her out of her catatonic shell. Her inability to give words to the rage and fear that flamed inside her presented a constant stream of challenges. Primary school entailed six school suspensions for things like catching the school on fire - twice! There were numerous fights against boys and authority and running away from home held as her primary coping skill. 

 

Adolescents brought on isolation and ridicule by her peers, cutting, refusal to attend school, depression, and ultimately, her attempts to take her own life.

 

To say there were many times I wanted to give up and wondered if I was making a difference at all, is a whisper where a shout is more appropriate. But we made it through and discovered many

unexpected gifts woven into the fibers of tattered brushes and muddled emotional color; arriving

to a place of hope. Our place of true healing began when I learned to love her without expectations.

The moment I freed myself and my daughter from the dreams I held for her was the pivot point of her becoming who she was meant to be.

 

​It has been over 30 years since I said yes to the little

girl God placed on my heart and into my care. She

is now in the Navy and serves as the medic for a

Marine Battalion. Her fierce tenacity, ability to not

get emotional in situations that would crumble

most of us, has become the pillars that allow her

to excel in her field. 

 

She will always be challenged when it comes to 

trusting others and she has to work hard at using

the life tools learned, but she is thriving and

making her way with confidence and joy. She is an 

incredible young woman, whom God well equipped

for the purpose He planned for her life.

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Together, we are co-writing a book about our journey. It started with me writing a memoir about my courageous child, the hardship of her abuse and neglect, and the act of putting all the attachment pieces back together. But, when she read the first draft of the first few chapters, she recounted to me the feelings, thoughts, and emotions she was experiencing at the time. Her perspective contrasts mine on so many levels, and her ability to articulate what she was experiencing is powerful. If you are interested in more about our publishing progress, feel free to subscribe to our updates!

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Thank you for wanting to know our story. I hope it has given you a bit of hope for your own journey.

Just knowing you took the time to read it tells me you are a woman with the same heart and have a story

of your own. I'd love to learn more about both. 

 

With joy, 

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Suzzanne and Nicole 

 

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