Growing up in Riverdale, UT we had the best neighborhood. We could go out and play all day long without being worried about anything and come back for dinner or, better yet, eat at a friend’s house. Playing kick the can on our corner until the neighbor got mad at us for being in their yard or until it was so late that our parents came and got us. Walking to Johnny’s Dairy for penny candy and candy cigarettes which we would pretend to smoke under the viaduct. Oh, those were the days. We had such great friends including the older, much cooler kids. As time has passed it has been great to keep contact with my friends I grew up with on Facebook. I am not one to comment on everything but I do keep tabs on people. I guess you could say I am a bit of a Facebook stalker {he he he}.
Well, back on July 4th our friend, BJ, and his daughter were in a terrible accident. You can read more about it here. For the last 4+ months we have been following along with her and her family and literally have fallen in love with them. I have never met Baylee or the rest of her family besides her dad {who we grew up with} and I’m telling you, they are the strongest family around. Every night before bed Elli and I lay in bed reading about Baylee’s day. We then get dad caught up the next morning on how she is doing. We really feel like we know Baylee and her sweet, sassy personality as well as her family. Everyday we pray for Baylee and her family to recover, heal, cope, and to feel peace as to why this has happened to her. I am sure it will be in the next life when we fully understand why bad things happen to good people but it is times like this that I know we are to learn from each other and our experiences. Each day I struggle as a mom, friend, wife, and worker to know if I am doing enough or spending my time wisely then, when I read about Baylee, my prospective suddenly changes and I am reminded of what is truly important, and that is FAMILY. I try to have more patience because of Baylee. Her family has given up a new home to spend every second with her. They are not worried about that perfect Pinterest home; they want to spend every second with their family. Baylee’s grandparents have given up time to take care of the brothers and make life as normal as possible for them. Again, I am reminded of what is important and that is time with family. I can seriously think of something new everyday that I am thankful for because of Baylee. She is one amazing girl.
I have been wondering what we could do to help her family besides pray for her. This week I had a strong feeling to go visit her. I was a little nervous because I don’t know her and haven’t seen her dad for years. I feel like I know her but is that weird to go visit someone you don’t know? I thought, “What the heck? Just ask”, so, that is what I did. I asked if she could have visitors and, sure enough, her dear parents were so kind and graciously invited us to come visit. Oh, we were excited. Today we went and visited Baylee and her family. When I first saw her mom, I was a bit star struck. I have been reading about her but, wow, she is beautiful and so kind. She shaved her head when Baylee had to shave hers. What an example! We {my mom and sisters} said before we went into the hospital that we wouldn’t ask too many questions, we would hold ourselves together and build them up instead of being a burden on them. Well, we had that wrong. They built us up, let us see and visit Baylee, and feel her amazing spirit that filled the entire room. The second we saw her we could feel something different. It was a warm feeling {not because her room was so warm} but the feeling that helps you know angels are watching over her. We thanked her parents many times for sharing Baylee with us and the example she is to us. She really is a BRAVE little girl. She is tough, and when times get tough, I, too, will be like Baylee and won’t give up.
I just wanted to share my experience and my thoughts about a girl I never met until today. I will always be grateful for her amazing parents for teaching me daily about what is important and being kind and sharing their daughter with the world. I will forever remember the feelings I felt in the hospital today and the spirit that was in her room. I will continue to pray for her and ask you to do the same. Pray for her family, for Baylee to have some miracles and let the Lord do his will. I am a better person because of you, Baylee. #bebravebaylee
