Bravery Beyond Measure

Brave or daring, crazy or full of life describes Dannika during our Florida adventure. She got to go parasailing not once, but TWICE! She loved it so much she talked her Grandma into going up with her again.

brav·er·y

1. brave spirit or conduct; courage; valor.

2. showiness; splendor; magnificence.



Then, we are spending a day at Blizzard Beach and I see Devan and my little girl going down this type of pulley and when one reaches the end they are "thrown" into the water. No fear for this girl. She loved this, too!

She could spend hours in the water, no problem. I seriously doubt she would ever be done and ready to leave. She played all by herself, or found a friend, or with her siblings. It didn't matter to her, as long as sh was in or by the water.

The boys all spent a day at Universal Studios where I opted to stay outside of the parks with the girls and save ourselves a TON of money! Dannika played in this water fountain thing forever. She played with a girl about her age from Venezuela for an extremely long time until both girls were soaking wet and smiling from ear to ear. It did not matter that they could not even speak to each other. The family spoke little to no English - yet the world of children seems to know no barriers. It was amazing and beautiful.

AND - when Destiny would go off to pout, who would rescue her little sister? Dannika would. She would hoist her up on her back to give her a piggy back ride and Destiny would forget what she was even angry or upset about. These girls - best of friends.

Honestly, I watch this girls fearlessness and feel so proud and scared and happy and sad all at the same time. She lives her life to the fullest, no doubt. Some may say she needs to, because we know her life MAY be shortened from this Cystic Fibrosis disease, but to the mom, that is scary. We should all live our lives to the fullest, and I try. I may not feel the need to risk my life parasailing or giving myself a heart attack on roller coasters, but I'm trying to live each day to the fullest, to do all God has designed for me in that day, to remember to thank him for life and breath and all the blessings in between. We all should, regardless of our individual diseases or downfalls or aches and pains, but it's not always so easy. I look at this girl and sometimes feel like crying. She is so beautiful and full of spirit and sweetness. She is everything God intended her to be, with CF.