Chloe Inspires Me

"Nothing is so strong as gentleness. Nothing is so gentle as real strength." - Frances de Sales

They say struggles make you stronger. Chloe has incredible strength because she has had many struggles. She is the most amazing little girl because she smiles and makes us smile through it all. I remember the first day I got bad news from the doctor and realized we were in for a great deal of challenges, I was feeling bad for myself as I drove home from Primary Children's Medical Center. Chloe was screaming in her car seat and I just didn't know if I could do it. Then, as silly as it may seem, I saw this three-legged dog on the sidewalk hobbling along with its owner, and the song 'So Small' came on the radio. And I immediately went from self-pity to extreme gratitude. There was just something about the bounce in that dog's step, I don't know, it just inspired me that trials do not define you, how you react to them is what creates the quality of life and happiness you experience. I realized how blessed I was to be Chloe's mom and how incredibly strong she was. I knew she was a survivor and I was determined to learn some attributes from her. She has proven her strength to me time and again. She just sticks it out, no matter what the challenge. She inspires me every single day. She teaches me to enjoy the journey, be grateful for every moment, believe in the impossible, and keep things in perspective. Here is a tribute to little Chloe for her gentle strength, the love she constantly emulates, and the inspiration she is to us all.