From the very day I was born, I was loud, outspoken, and rebellious.

From the very beginning, I didn’t play by the rules—and that was to set me up for a life that no one could have predicted. 

When my brother was born, my mom was in labor for less than an hour.  He was angelic—the perfect child. Even growing up, he never got into trouble and was always amicable.

As for me?  Another story altogether.

After 36 hours of intense labor, a screaming, colic child was born. Not only was I colic, but I also refused to go to anyone other than my mom. I can only imagine the strain that must have put on her. 

Due to the issues with her labor, my mom and I were kept in the hospital together for three days. Those three days were to set her and I up with a powerful relationship that would stand the test of time—no matter how obnoxious I could be. 

During those three days in the hospital, we had plenty of time together, snuggling. She spoke to me, she held me, and we fell in love. We created an intense bond. 

My mom knew that something powerful was unfolding.

She knew my life would never be ‘normal.’ She had a deep understanding that these three days together were bonding us for a reason.  Little did she know how important that reason was. 

Mom and Dad were building barns on the family farm. Mom was a young housewife and farmer and had a full building crew to feed. She also had a young toddler.

On top of that, she now had a screaming, unhappy child who wouldn’t accept anyone but her. There are stories of how difficult it was for her, especially at dinner time when my colic would become especially bad.  

My own father couldn’t come near me.  The bond that Mom and I had created was intense, and it was ingrained into the cells of my tiny little body. My grandparents tried to take care of me, and I wouldn’t let it fly…

Until One Day, It Stopped

My grandpa and brother were playing a game at the kitchen table, and I was on a blanket on the floor beside them. Mom was resting. I was just starting to be able to pull myself up on my own. What thought went through my one-year-old mind I do not know, but I can only assume it was a combination of jealousy and curiosity. I crawled over to where Grandpa was sitting and pulled myself up on his leg.  

Grandpa froze. He didn’t know how to react, and he didn’t want to scare me away. He looked at Mom with trepidation and asked what to do. Her only response was to let me do what I wanted to do. In that moment, I decided that other humans were okay and that it was safe for me to connect with them. After that, anyone could pick me up, and my poor mother was given a reprieve.  

This story was told countless times in our family, and every time, my mom and I share a look. The bond that was created between us has stood the test of time, despite all the poor decisions and mistakes I made over the next 40 years.

My mom stood by me.  She believed in me.

And she never once gave up on me because deep down inside, she knew that I was meant to create something powerful in this lifetime.

Mom knew that her purpose was to support me. Throughout the years, she has stood by that purpose, and never once faltered. No matter what was thrown at her, no matter what poor decision I made, and no matter how the rest of the family judged or asked her to react differently, she never once gave up on me.  

The gratitude runs deep. My mom has been my saving grace, my guardian angel, my sounding board, and someone who has always had faith in me.