Most Days

Most days I forget about Hannah's differences. She runs, jumps, twirls, and dances just like other beautiful little girls. She chases after her big brother just like most little sisters. She rides her bike and really wants to learn how to jump rope.

However, you will hear things said in our home that aren't commonly said in other homes. You may hear things like, "Take your leg off and get in bed. It's past your bedtime."; "Give her leg back to her please."; "Put your leg on. We need to go."; "If someone tries to take you away from Mama and Daddy, be sure to kick them with your hard leg." :)

Most days I don't think too much about her prosthesis. It's just part of who our beautiful Hannah is. But lately she has been more aware of her difference. She's made many comments about wanting two legs like Joshua. She wishes doctors could make her a leg just like her other leg. She wants to be able to bend her little ankle so she can point her toes during dance class. She wants to be able to stand in the shower like her big brother. She wants to be able to sleep with two legs so she can get out of bed easier. She gets frustrated when her prosthesis gets stuck between the chair and the table as she tries to get up or sit down.

And lately, I've noticed more stares from others. The other day a child kept following her around staring at her prosthesis. I tried to shield her and move her to other parts of the library, but this child kept following us, standing right beside her, and staring. He was easily in the third grade so he should have known to at least make his stares less noticeable to the one in which he was staring. At one point when he stood just inches away from her (literally just inches) staring at her leg, Hannah stood there and stared right back at him.

At dance class yesterday, a little girl kept asking Hannah about her leg. Hannah looked at me from across the room with the expression she makes when she knows others are staring at her and doesn't quite know how to handle the situation. Thankfully, her dance teacher quickly diverted the girl's attention to a different area.

And today, a grown man stopped in the middle of the grocery store isle so he could get a better look at my sweet girl's leg. I made eye contact with him, smiled, and quickly tried to stand between my daughter and the man's stares.

I understand people are curious. I just wish others understood that their curious stares come at the expense of someone's feelings. Thankfully, Hannah is still at times oblivious to these stares. But I am not. And I want more than anything to shield my sweet girl. At times, my heart hurts more than words can say.

Father, please protect my sweet girl. Grow her into a beautiful young woman who loves You more than this world. Give her wisdom to know how to respond to the stares and comments of others. Give her confidence knowing You love her and created her perfectly just as she is for Your glory. And please use me to shower her with the love, grace, comfort, and joy that can only come from You.

Our Joshua

Life has been a bit hectic in the Dembowczyk household, but I'm learning to navigate life with three amazing kiddos. I must say, I absolutely love having three children. My heart is so full of love for them. I just couldn't ask for anything more. Thank You, Father, for these three children with which You've truly blessed us.

I wanted to take a few minutes to share our son, Joshua's, beautiful heart. He continually amazes me with his loving kindness.

He's very much interested in Legos, and he's at the age where he can make some pretty cool things. The other night, I walked into his bedroom with one of his Lego creations broken in pieces in my hand. I had accidentally broken one of his most recent creations. I was devastated. I felt horrible. As I began apologizing, Joshua quickly said, "It's okay, Mom. You don't need to feel bad. I was trying to figure out if I wanted to make it look differently anyway. I just didn't know how to take it apart." Which is a complete lie. :) He very well knew how to take it apart. He was just trying to make me feel better. He definitely brought a smile to my face.

Joshua has such a tender and compassionate heart. He thinks about his friends at school that don't know Jesus. He thinks about his friend who he asked if he loved Jesus and his friend said "no." He's concerned for them. His heart is so tender.

My constant prayer is that God will use him in his school, with his friends, with Hannah and Caleb, to bring Him glory...to show those that don't know Jesus just how much Jesus loves them and wants a friendship with them. My constant prayer is that God will help our Joshua be strong and courageous just like Joshua in the Bible...that Joshua will love God and choose to obey Him forever. He's such an amazing young man and I'm so honored to be his mother.

Thank You, Father, for giving us Joshua. Thank You for his beautiful and compassionate heart. Please grow him into a young man who loves You more than anything. Use him to tell others how much You love them. Draw him close to You, Father. May he love You with an amazing love. Use him for Your glory. Thank You for Your amazing grace.