With Love

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV

I remember the day that I found out that I had Turners Syndrome. I felt like a lab rat being poked and prodded. The worst part of the day was feeling different.  To realize what was ahead of me was frightening and made me feel strangely alone.  I went to school the next day and everything felt weird. While others talked about the next episode of “Saved by the Bell”, all I could think about was if I would be able to give myself growth hormone shots.

Just when I thought my life was on a ‘downward spiral’, God did something amazing that changed my outlook and gave me hope.  I was walking into math class when one of my classmates rolled her pencil onto the ground right in front of my feet.  As I bent down, she bent down, too, to look straight at me with a huge smile and whispered “you have Turners Syndrome… don’t you?”   Completely shocked, I answered with a timid “yes”.   Her smile grew huge as she exclaimed, “me too!”

Her name was Nikki. Through conversation we discovered that we went to the same doctor that was helping us through our growth hormone treatment.  I truly believe that God sent Nikki to me that day. She took me under her wing and the things that were overwhelming me when facing Turners Syndrome became more of an adventure.  Nikki and her mother, Holly, really helped my mom and me through the first couple years of growth hormone therapy. They also introduced us to the TSSUS support group in our community. Even though we were never close friends we truly shared a special bond. Even on a rough day in high school I could always count on seeing Nikki and her encouraging smile and nod when we would pass each other in the hall. I truly felt that I was no longer alone.

Nikki earned her wings on March 12, 2005.  She truly was an Angel. The biggest lesson I have learned from Nikki is no matter what you are facing in your life be willing to reach out to others and share love and be an encouragement to everyone. You never know who God might be placing in your life that might just need what you have to offer.

Emily
33 years old
Fort Wayne, IN