I don't talk about this very much just because I don't feel like I need too, but I just need to share some things about this sweet little girl. It is hard to find the exact words to describe this smiley girl, but here are a few:
Persevering
Gentle
Sweet
Lovable
Patient
Forgiving
Nicole had the best 1st grade teacher and I am not exaggerating. In fact, I cried with her teacher numerous times. A couple of weeks before school ended, she listened to me, expressed her love for Nicole, her concerns for Nicole, and cried with me. She gave Nicole the best compliment. She said, "Nicole is the hardest worker and loves to be at school. She doesn't get discouraged too often, and if she does...she quickly shakes her head "no" and tries again." Her teacher told me that if she could, she would delicately place Nicole with the best teachers her entire life. She wants her to succeed and she knows she will succeed. She told me "There is place for Nicole and once she finds it, she will thrive because of who she is. WE just need to help her find her place."
My sweet little Olie has some learning difficulties that make almost everything she does really hard. We are finding out more and more about these challenges as she grows up. WE already know she has Apraxia which is a language/motor planning disability and we are also finding out she has auditory, visual, language processing issues. Makes me wonder how the world looks through her beautiful eyes. I am grateful for wonderful teachers and friends that wrap their arms around Nicole and love her for who she is. One of my close friends told me, "Nicole was placed in your home because Heavenly Father loves you. You were meant to be her mother. You know what she needs and you have been blessed with the ability to help her in this life."
I sometimes feel so ridiculous for complaining about the things she has to go through when there are so many other awful things in the world. But, it is really hard to see your child struggle with anything. We all have a challenges and we just need to learn how to deal with them and work with them.
I know Nicole will be fine because she has also been blessed with many other attributes, like the few mentioned above. Her challenges don't define who she is...they make her stronger, wiser, and more understanding. We sure do love this girl!!
