Connections: Why they matter ...

I know I should cease to be amazed by this... and yet somehow each time I find this situation recurring... I am in awe at what can only be an overall plan for having the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

Most of you are not aware that in October of 2004, at the age of seven, Tori was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. She was complaining of chest pains, so we took her to her pediatrician, who sent us to Texas Children's Hospital. They did an EKG, and they diagnosed her with Right Ventricle Hypertrophy. That just meant that her right ventricle was enlarged - cause was unknown.

She saw a cardiologist the first part of December - and was diagnosed with Sinus Venosus Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), which is a hole between the right and left atrium of her heart. Sinus Venosus tells you where the whole is. Here's a great diagram to show you what it looks like:


Tori attended Trinity Lutheran School at that time, and her very best friends name was Rebecca. Rebecca was also born with a congenital heart defect - one much more serious than Tori's, and over the kindergarten/first grade summer - she had her 2nd open heart surgery for her heart condition. Tori didn't understand all the words associated with what was going on, but as far as she was concerned, it wasn't a big deal. Rebecca had it, and she was just fine.

Rebecca's parents were amazingly supportive - and their calm approach helped me stay focused, and deal with problems as they occurred. There is a certain level of comfort when you know another family has gone through the situation you've gone through... and came out the other side just fine.

Tori had the surgery - came home 4 days later, and promptly got into trouble for climbing up on the top bunk bed. She's had follow ups since then, and has to get checked out every few years, but is a very healthy, very tall, beautiful young lady.

Fast forward 4 years, and one of those really awesome people you meet by chance... a random item that you buy from them off of Craigslist... who ends up becoming a friend. You have kids just a few months apart - and she's really nice! She lets you know she is taking HER daughter to Texas Children's for an EKG. Her daughter has a heart murmur... and she's worried, just like I was. I let her know about Tori's heart issue... something we hadn't talked about... that she was completely suprised about. She writes an awesome blog - http://ourcozynest.wordpress.com/ - and she's becoming a really wonderful photographer!

The people that are in your life - right now - are there for a reason. Maybe you don't always know WHY... maybe you won't ever know why. But they are there for a reason. Appreciate them for what they bring to your life. It might be that thier relationship with you, somewhere down the line, helps someone else. Or maybe your relationship with them will help you a few years from now in a way that you can't see right now.

It is the books you read, and the people you meet that make the most difference in your life.

I put this together - out of a few years of pictures of Tori. She is growing so fast, and I know that in the blink of an eye, she will be headed for college, and start a life on her own. We are so amazed at how wonderful she is, and hope that she knows it!