tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326945904619534317.post400420236842834804..comments2023-04-10T06:44:01.992-05:00Comments on Ess the Mess: "I've looked at life from both sides now; From win and lose and still somehow, It's life's illusions I recall. I really don't know life, at all"Esther Brattonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556196115230215951noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326945904619534317.post-88285312379766978222011-05-16T14:37:42.248-05:002011-05-16T14:37:42.248-05:00Hey Ess!
Beautiful pictures! You have a wonderfu...Hey Ess!<br /><br />Beautiful pictures! You have a wonderful family, a beautiful baby, and a bright future! Baby Charlotte is more blessed than most babies; she was born to believing parents. Ben and Ess, you're very blessed and smart and I admire you greatly!<br /><br />Love always!Susan B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01777371105099105279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326945904619534317.post-36013754674522336482011-05-12T10:49:49.791-05:002011-05-12T10:49:49.791-05:00Hey Ess,
It breaks my heart to see my little siste...Hey Ess,<br />It breaks my heart to see my little sister and her daughter (and husband) struggling with these issues. I will not pretend to think that I understand what y'all are going through, but I do know this: God is sovereign and God loves His children. I think sometimes, as Dana mentioned, we don't fully experience God's love for us until our life's sails have the wind taken out of them. When all seems destined for misery and despair, the Lord is there, like a beacon of light to guide our way. My prayer is that all the time, in your deepest moments of guilt (unwarranted guilt!) to your greatest times of joy, the light of Christ will always be your's and Charlotte's guide, for He will not lead you astray. Love you guys!<br /><br />"Uncle" HenryHenryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16948465869724852332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326945904619534317.post-69549074670349964962011-05-11T11:41:23.280-05:002011-05-11T11:41:23.280-05:00What a great post. Thanks for the update. She is j...What a great post. Thanks for the update. She is just precious.<br /><br />The pictures you posted at the end with all that Charlotte has going for her were so sweet. <br /><br />What an answer to prayer to hear that doctors feel sure she will walk one day!! I am so happy to hear that! I know doing tummy time must be no fun at all for her or for you, but at least she won't remember it when she gets older. She will be grateful someday for your getting through it for her benefit!<br /><br />You are an amazing mama. And the truth of the matter is that women who don't take care of their bodies at all or even realize they are pregnant often have babies with no medical issues. So there is NO ONE to blame for Charlotte having SB. You did and continue to do everything you can for her benefit. You know that's true. Blaming yourself is not fair!<br /><br />xoxoxoMeghanhttp://loquaciouslady.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326945904619534317.post-18037427502256240052011-05-11T06:37:45.606-05:002011-05-11T06:37:45.606-05:00Ess,
This one was definitely a tear jerker for me...Ess, <br />This one was definitely a tear jerker for me, even though I had already heard about clinic. It seems like y'all have had one thing after another. At least once per week someone from Trinity tells me (and I agree) what an inspiration you are in dealing with everything that is on your plate, and that God has given you and Ben such an immense measure of grace to handle it all so well. As Pastor Rob mentioned this past Sunday, the world tells us that blessing is the absence of suffering... when the actual Christian walk is really about blessing received through suffering. Your post is a testament to how true that is. <br /><br />Try not to play the "what if" game. There is no such thing! Christ has already been given all power and authority over every thing. The heartbreak that you experience watching Charlotte go through these trials makes me think of how God must have felt to know that it had to be His son to suffer for the rest of His creation. But b/c Christ was also God, the Father suffered at the same time. This is a very roundabout way to say... I guess heartbreak is part of the deal. But like Becky said, it's still worth fighting for.<br /><br />Can't wait to see another first for C this weekend... the new swing!! :) Love, DDananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326945904619534317.post-36748383619179731252011-05-10T20:35:40.876-05:002011-05-10T20:35:40.876-05:00Dearest Esther,
Thank you for talking about your w...Dearest Esther,<br />Thank you for talking about your walk with Charlotte. As if having children wasn't challenge enough! You and Charlotte and Ben are so blessed by so much love. When your dad prayed over you all to count it all joy, I thought of my own tiny problems. Count it all joy. It's a goal worth fighting for. Love, Becky Stricklandbeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12031697666707273804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7326945904619534317.post-62930741626875501682011-05-10T19:56:20.007-05:002011-05-10T19:56:20.007-05:00Esther, sorry that I am always so eager to comment...Esther, sorry that I am always so eager to comment. I feel like a stalker:)<br /><br />She is so beautiful. Those pictures are just beautiful. I am praying for you and all of those emotions. That God would overwhelm you with truth. I can only imagine that all of this is so overwhelming and all the what-ifs and everything that comes with spina bifida. Again, I will just pray for comfort and for truth. <br /><br />You are an amazing mom. You are. She is a blessed little girl!!!LBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06643896920237472344noreply@blogger.com