The story

Eden was born with a congenital birth defect - her left thigh bone does not grow properly. This summer, she is undergoing a limb lengthening procedure at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, MD through the Rubin Institute. It is an approx 6 month process. Chris and I are grateful for everyone's well wishes, and want to do our best to keep you all informed, so we decided to create this blog. It will also be a way for us to document this process and one day we will show it to Eden and she will know, she can conquer anything.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

a letter to Eden

Dear Eden,

Today is your birthday, you are 4. It is also 6 months since your limb lengthening began. You have worn a fixator and a cast and are now nursing your wounds and learning how to walk. You are improving every day and we are sure eventually you will walk and run just like the rest of us. No, even better than most of us, Ayla is already training you to be a soccer star. I thought I would take a moment to pause, and think about what you have been through, and what I want to be sure to tell you when you are old enough to understand all this.

As progress slowed down and milestones were far between, I did not blog often. We are at a point where this process really is almost over. It seems fitting to do this final blog post (for now) on your birthday.

We can only describe you and your journey with one word - AMAZING. You dealt with this like such a mature young girl, even a young lady. Your strength and optimism and more important your cheery personality got us all through this. Your love for your family is evident, and the way you gained courage and encouragement from us all was contagious.

There was never time to feel sorry for you, because nothing stopped you. I hope this is the person you will grow up to be. Determined, strong, confident, loyal. I can ask no more from you then to continue to be the person we saw. You will accomplish anything you choose. That was the true purpose of this blog. One day, we will sit with you and read this. You will learn about your journey, you will see all the wonderful, caring people who followed us and supported us. I will show you some facebook postings had more than 70 comments. You will read what a loved little girl you are. And you will know, with certainty, there is nothing you cant over come. There will be few challenges in your life that you will fear or shy away from. You proved this year you can handle anything.

We are all so proud of you, and are thankful each day that you are our daughter. You have taught us the true lessons in life as well. Happiness, health, family. You taught us we can support each other. Not only was your strength tested, but so was our families. The result is we are closer than ever. Thank you Eden, you are a gift. Happy birthday.