...that Addie and I went to an appointment late yesterday afternoon. Our appointment lasted much longer than I had anticipated because there was so much to talk about.
By the time we made it to the reception area, the receptionist had already left for the day. While I was waiting to pay and make another appointment, I allowed Addie to walk over to a toy in the waiting room, only feet from where I stood.
As I'm chatting and completing my business, I do take notice of a lady who had been sitting in the waiting room (waiting on someone). After Addie walked over to the toy and sat down, a few moments later, the lady got out of her chair, walked over to where Addie was playing and sat down in front of her. I'm a very observant person, so my attention was split very well between what I was doing and what Addie was doing.
To be perfectly honest with you, I thought it was odd. Not odd in a bad way, just odd.
I was waiting on the worker to retrieve a sticker for Addie, so I took the opportunity to walk over to where they sat and asked Addie if she was having fun. As I'm talking to Addie, I thought I saw this lady wipe tears from her cheeks. I was trying to take a quick moment to find the right words to say ("are you okay?" doesn't fit...obviously she wasn't), when she spoke and told me that she was having a really bad day. She told me that she just couldn't help it and she was sorry, she didn't want to upset Addie. She also proceeded to tell me "thank you". She thanked me for allowing her to play with Addie. She thanked me because she told me that Addie had made her day. She thanked me as tears continued to stream down her face.
She thanked me.
The lady got up and went over to sit back down in her chair.
At that moment, the worker came back with Addie's sticker. She gave Addie the sticker and we asked Addie to walk over to the trash to throw the backing away and so she did. Addie was just so proud of herself and honestly wasn't ready to leave. I told her that it was time to go home, that the kitties, Daddy and Julien were waiting on us and that it was way past dinner. I told her to say, "bye-bye" and come on.
My sweet angel did something that truly shocked me. She walked as quickly as she could with her walker over to the lady who had been so sad, held her arms out and gave her the biggest hug!
At that moment, what I had always suspected was confirmed. My baby who is so very special, my baby who struggles with each step that she takes and my baby who strives to do what everyone else is doing, has an amazing gift.
She was sent here - to us - to bring joy to others.
She truly has the spirit of an angel and a heart of gold. I have said for so very long that Addie's gift to this world is to bring joy to others and now I know how very true that is.
It has been confirmed.
So, let's just say that it is all worth it. The heartache and the pain that I face, the time away from my husband, the sacrifices I make with Julien, the struggles and the hurt, the obstacles, the opposition, the hatred, the negativity. Let's just say I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is a blessing. Without this pain, I never would have known so much joy, been witness to so many miracles and appreciated every aspect of my life. I don't take anything for granted.
Let's just say...this is just the beginning of the joy this world will get to witness. My Addie has work to do and a path that we must follow.
We are honored.
