circa 1989

It was 32 years ago when a wave revolutions swept the European Bloc in Europe, when the Berlin wall came down and when Japan began selling the world's first GameBoy. Those were roaring and nerve rackingly exciting times, weren't they?

But do you know what's more nerve racking? Being a daughter born to a second time mom who she herself had absolutely no idea that her child would live. The girl who beams her glare at you today was born a micro preemie at just 23 weeks. Yes. You read that right, 23 weeks. Weighing in at only 720 grams, this pint sized gem was surely a fighter - yet no one would know for sure how long and if she would pull through.

Her mother awfully distraught with every emotion possible, surely very close to losing her mind, spending time in the unknown of what would become of her child. Will she be able to walk? Talk? Will she be able to see or hear? Will her brain function properly? The future months ahead were very difficult to determine.

What felt like an eternity, the day finally arrived that little miss gem was free to go home to continue recovering and begin enjoying life in all her baby glory. Mother dearest was absolutely ecstatic as you could imagine! As months went by little miss gem was visited regularly by nurses aids to ensure she was growing and adhering well to home life.

Mother dearest always made sure that little gem had a regimented schedule, eat, sleep, outdoor walks and naps, play time. She was nourished and care for so well that at one of their monthly doctor's visit they were stunned that little miss gem was sitting up and holding her head high, roughly between 6 to 8 months. The doctor called his colleagues over as he was in shock.

Mother dearest knows best.

As little miss gem grew, she began to complain about pains in her limbs. Her pediatrician never bothered to investigate further and simply shrugged it off as growing pains. But mother dearest knew it had to be something more, except no one would listen - it was heartbreaking.

Fast forward 8 years and to no surprise of mother dearest, her fear was confirmed. Little miss gem had a hole in her heart that required repair. Everyone knows that when the heart is forming, there is a point where the hole that is made is supposed to close. Obviously in this case it did not due to little miss gem being born so early.

With much success, the surgery went well and so began the long road to recovery. Missing a year of school and usual activities but that was alright because the focus was to get better and get her life BACK! Before little miss gem knew it, her school grades rose, she enjoyed attending school a lot more and immersed herself into school projects like never before. She couldn't believe it, a second chance! Upon graduating to her surprise she received an Academic Merritt Award, she had no idea what the heck that mean't, all she knew is that her name had an award assigned to it and she was beyond speechless - she had never received anything like it. She was extremely over the moon HAPPY. Mother dearest was overcome with emotion, a very proud mom moment that wouldn't soon be forgotten.

To this day there are still many other struggles, however it's very important to try again every, single, day! It won't be easy and it will try to break you, but remember, it couldn't possibly break you as much as the life unknown!

-M.B-