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(My baby sister Amelia 9 months old, Sarah age 10)
On July 10 1990, I was only 10 years old and I was facing one of the biggest days of my life. I was going in for major head surgery, where my scalp would be totally pulled away from my skull, ear to ear and down to my neck. Half my skull would be taken off, and major repairs would be done to my head. The details are not important, but it was major surgery and it was very scary for my parents to have me be so sick.
Surgery went well, but recovery had major complications, my brain swelled I lost the ability to walk, speak, or control my body. As sick as I was, I had been taught by my parents that with faith in the Lord all things are possible. My little 10 year old spirit, had unwavering faith that my Heavenly Father could heal me. Sure enough I was healed and with time I was able to go home.
I was only 48 lbs, tiny and bald. As a little girl I had always loved my long dark brown hair, it was what made me pretty ( or at least I thought). I had to figure out how to face the world as a bald little girl. Even as a child it was very clear to me the concern and worry on peoples faces when they saw me. The kids at school were very curious as to where all my hair had gone. We all have moments or events in our lives that change us, or shape the person we are today. This was a life changing experience for me, I made the choice to smile and make people laugh. I knew they would be curious and looking at me, so I might was well make them smile too.
Out of that tiny 10 year old came the courage to face the world, I put on a brave face. Some days ended with my head held high, self confidant and ready for what ever new challenge came my way. Other days ended crying on my Mommy’s lap, wishing I could be “normal” and letting others harsh words eat away at me. The thing is that little 10 year old girl is still inside of me, If only I had the faith and courage I had back then. I enjoy facing most days with a smile and love making others laugh. But some days when life challenges seem a little more than I can handle, I see a glimpse of that tiny 48 lb girl who just wishes all life’s challenges would go away. But I have learned that some of the hardest things we do make us strong, and shape us into the person we are today. I am grateful for what they have taught me!
And you’re still brilliant! Thanks for sharing.
Sarah-
Thanks so much for sharing your story. I love your blog. My husband recently lost his job and I was devastated. We moved to Idaho 2 years ago from across the country due to his job. I wasn’t sure what we were going to do. I was a stay at home mom and our families are so far away…I wanted to run away and go back home, but I knew we couldn’t do that… I recently started working a job dealing with people that have truly financial hardships. I know that Heavenly Father has given me this opportunity so that I may see ALL the blessings that he has given unto me and my family…no matter how big or small. Again thanks so much for your blog!
Thankyou for sharing your story. I have had an exceptionally hard day today because I have not had gratitude for what I have. Thankyou for helping me realize my blessings. You are a blessing to us all.
We used to tell you that you were the only one of the kids that we knew had a brain. Your brothers teased you that they had to do the surgery to prove you had a brain. I’m not sure how I would have gotten through that time in your life without your faith. You just knew that Heavenly Father would take care of you and that calmed my spirit also. Thanks for being such a wonderful daughter. I love you Mom
My goodness. Thanks for sharing, it’s always neat to get to know personal details. You are one tough cookie! Keep the faith, it’s what keeps us all going
I remember that time in Sarah’s life. She was such a tiny cute little thing with beautiful brown hair. Her Momma was scared to death of the operation on Sarah’s “mushy bump”. We appreciate the lovely young wife and mother she has become. lol
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story. I’ve also had many challenges in my life and I too believe that they definately make us stronger. I am also so thankful to a loving Heavenly Father who blesses us and whose love is unconditional. 7 1/2 yrs. ago we lost our little 2 1/2 yr. old son in an accident. Then, 1 yr. later my husband had a tumor taken out of his femor which turned out to be benign but at the time we thought it was cancer. I also had a major back surgery at 14 and fully recovered. The Lord gives us challenges and trials to help us grow and have faith. Thank you so much for all you do and for helping, teaching, and inspiring us all to be better (and frugal)!
Thank you for sharing such a story with us! I believe that things like this make you a stronger person. We are dealing with several different health issues with my kiddos and I now look at things a little different. You are an inspiration to us all! Thank you for helping us learn to be frugal!!! Hugs to you and your family!!
Thank you for sharing! I believe that everything in life happens for a reason and sometimes don’t really realize that reason until much later. Always keep that courage and faith!
Thank you for sharing your touching story. Each day as I lay down to sleep I thank God for the time with my family and the strength he gave me that day to deal with all things big and small. I then pray that he will give me the same strenghth the next day.
Thanks for sharing such a personal experience. I really appreciate EVERYTHING you do. You amaze me daily. I love following this blog and I love the personal touch you put on it, think some people are afraid to do that. I KNOW good and bad things happen to us to help shape our lives, hopefully for the better. I had a major experience 3 years ago when my husband of 5 years left me and our 2 children. It was the worst/best thing that ever happened to me. I think things like that help us draw nearer to our Heavenly Father. Thank you again Sara.
I had a life changing experience when i was 16. I was in a car accident on the freeway…actually it was more like a fender bender and then as I was pushing my car off the freeway I was hit by a drunk driver. I think it was HEavenly Father trying to smack some sence into me because that night I had made up my mind to go to my first PARTY where I was going to try drinking and prob whatever else they had because i was tired of always being the who hadnt tried it. Just to let you know that smack did put me in my place…I had a lot of facial damage and a lit of healing to do and to this day I still think about my accident and how grateful i am that it happened because if it didnt I wouldnt be who I am today LITERALLY I would prob be an acholic, but Im not and nor will I ever be because I have a BEAUTIFUL family and ABSOLUTLY WONDERFUL husband! I still see the scares but my husband loves me and so thats all that matters!
Robyn I too had to wear a helmet for a year….very dorky…but it kept me safe….
Hi Sarah,
I had a similar experience when I was 4. I fell with marble ponytail holders in and cracked my skull. I also went in for surgery, where they removed a large portion of my skull. Since I was rapidly growing they left my head like that, and I needed to have a plate put in my head 2 years later. Since I had a hole in my head I needed a hockey helmet… So I was bald and had to wear a helmet. I also mourned the loss of my hair, it was blonde and to my waist. I came out of both operations perfect, but I had to recover twice.
Thank you Sarah for sharing such a personal experience with us. Our trials and challenges definitely make us who we are today. I went through a devistating health issue about 14 years ago myself. Having faith in my Heavenly Father helped me get through it. Thank you for helping to remind us that someone is there that loves us.
Wow! I had no clue. I love ya for all you do and are. Thank you for always sharing. I know you are a wonderful person . I am glad to know you. Thanks for telling us a bit of what makes you, you. Courage and faith!
wow! Such experiences shape our lives to bring us to where we are today! I am grateful for parents (like yours) that have faith and depend on the Lord to take care of us.