This is something I wrote back in May, but wanted to include here for those that find Kali's story...

“A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” Maya Angelou I don't have some lifelong, sentimental, personal attachment to Maya Angelou, (although I remember reading her works back in the days) but I am going to chime in today. As you may have seen, I recently quoted her in my blog post about Kali. It was a simple quote, but with tremendous meaning to me. How Maya wrote it, and what she meant by it, is different than why I used it with regard to my own life. Nevertheless, it moved me to not only quote it on my blog, but to write those exact words/quote on a card that I left for our NICU doctor. During the weeks we sat at the hospital, we had to find words. We had to find smiles. We had to find meaning. We had to find hope. We had to find our song. God blessed us with a beautiful daughter, but it was a life that we feared for. We knew that in this life of "normals" and "easy roads" for some, she would have to find her way, in a very likely "special" way. Kali would have to write the verses to her life song in a way that doesn't come easy. We were told by many of the people that came to see us that she "won't do this" or she "may not do that". To each and every one of them, we said "BUT MAYBE SHE WILL". I pray for Kali's life. I pray that she finds her sweet song. I pray that she writes an amazing symphony, and that because of her beauty and determination, her song becomes one that everyone wants to hear. I pray that it's one that echoes through the hearts of all that come to know her. I am grateful also that God reminds me daily that I was also created to sing. He doesn't need me to sing. He doesn't even care about the words that I use when I do. He just wants me to sing. He just wants to know that I will always find the melody of a grateful heart, and lift that song to Him in praise of His goodness. So while I may not have the answers, indeed I have a song. And there in the distance I hear the voice of an angel. My sweet Kali Raine. Sing sweet Birdie Girl. We're all listening.  ♥ Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home, When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. “Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear, And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.