Family

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Brave Little Heart
©

by

Stephen A. Peterson


Sylvia was born on January 6, 1997 in Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with medical problems. She was found to be born with heart problems, a defective lung, and a deformed pelvic. Yet, inspite of these problems, her young heart is recognized as the greatest by those who know her. Sylvia can love unconditionally more than just about anyone I know. Her spirit is remarkably even though she is in constant pain. As loving as she is, she can be just as stubborn and tough minded as any child. Sylvia was a premature child weighing barely two pounds three ounces. She was in intensive care for nearly seven weeks, almost dying not once but nearly twice such that the medical team was required to look in on her every ten minutes. Before her 5th birthday, Sylvia had six surgeries to correct a hole in her heart, her lungs, a broken tibia and to correct her deformed pelvis.

Although Sylvia went through these painful surgeries, she enjoys life. She loves to read, sing, watch movies and play house with her many make believe children gained from the hospital stays. This brave little girl lovingly goes out of her way to pamper both adults and children who are sad, sick or in pain. She nurses each with patience, kind words and lots of gentle hugs.

Sylvia loves her older brother and sister, but she can and will stand up to them. When she is angry with them, she can defend her space and herself. Not in a brutal way but rather lets them know that she is no one’s doormat.

Sylvia loves children but she will never be a mother. Her disabilities and the surgeries to her pelvic area have taken away this gift of God’s. At this stage in her life she is too young to understand this miracle given so many. The task will be a gigantic one for such a beautiful human being.

Some people do not like Sylvia even though she is loving and kind. Mostly, it is believed, because she speaks her mind and tends to be truthful when she expresses herself. For some, the emphasis is on making contributions to society, not being a burden on society, being and looking perfect in every way—being of the world rather than being n the world!

Since Sylvia was little, she has been instructed that Jesus loves her just the way she is, that He loves everybody and someday she will get to see Jesus in Heaven. When she is asked who Jesus Christ is, she replies without hesitation, “Savior of the world”, “the One who loves everybody” or “Loves me as I am”.

Sylvia enjoys several movies but her favorite is “Jesus of Nazareth”. Although it is an eight hour long production, Sylvia is glued to the television. When Jesus heals the blind man, she cheers and claps. When Jesus was nailed and screams out in excruciating pain as He is hoisted up to the upper part of the cross, she cries uncontrollably in grief and agony herself. How can anybody not love Sylvia?

Well, some people, big and small, call her, “a retard”, “short sheeted” and a child who should never have been allowed to live because of all of her physical problems, the medical expenses and chronic pain this child suffers. Because she cannot process information as quickly as many are able to, they unwittingly pity her and discount her as less or of no worth because they say “she can’t contribute to society!” Well, they are all wrong! For those who know her, they are blessed by her presence!!

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