Thoughts on CF and Love!

November 27th 2007, was the first time I held my precious niece Jolie Cate Blankenship for the first time. Seeing the amazing gift of life before my eyes and her taking her first breath, helped me realize just how much love a child can bring forth in a family. I love her as she was mine, and am so amazed to see the transformation that Mandy has made into a Mommy, she is truly amazing. My point of the story is some of you may not know that when Mandy found out she was pregnant, she under went several blood tests, not to uncommon. One of those being the test to see if she was a carrier of CF. With having a family member so close in the blood line having CF, the doctor said it was a must that she get tested. After the results came back, our family went through a brief period of time of shock, Mandy was a carrier of CF. Needless to say she was a mess, along with me by her side. Being an identical twin, there is no doubt that I myself am also a carrier. The next step, test Scott! So Scott gets in the next day and gives his blood, results come back, and Scott tests negative. There is no way that the child growing inside Mandy could have any chance of having CF...sigh of relief! At this time I remember asking Mandy if it would have mattered, and she came back with only one reply, absolutely not! I have been asked before if it scared me knowing that I was a carrier and if there were a chance that my "future" child could get CF if I would decide to not have kids. My only answer is, absolutely not! Although it is a horrible disease and I without a doubt would never wish a child to live with it, it would never alter my decision to become a mother. I see the way Mandy looks at Jolie and that kind of love is falter proof. I see the strength that my mom endured during the course of my brothers illness and she truly is the most amazing woman and mother.

There's a term in astrology, "Fixed Stars," which (from the Latin stellae fixae) are celestial objects that do not seem to move in relation to the other stars of the night sky. Some of the Fixed Stars near the ecliptic and of significant magnitude do, however, exert considerable influence. The images on which our Zodiac is based are of course patterns drawn from constellations of Fixed Stars, but the constellations are not exactly the same as the Signs of the Zodiac. Since I remember, it has always been 4 Stars...My Fixed Stars...Bubba, Mom, Mandy, and Myself. Although our life's have been altered with finding love, marriage, and children, I always count on My Fixed Stars to guide me through life. I owe so much of the person I have become, to them, and I am forever thankful for the earthly family I was blessed with. I know without a doubt that they will always be constant in my life! Now with the new addition of Jolie Cate, our worlds are overflowing with love and joy!

So you may ask the reason of this post and where I'm going with it. As you have read, CF has always been apart of our lives and we will always remember the bond that it has blessed our family with. I have realized just how sweet life is and how everyday is so very precious, so although we all have our struggles and fair share of sadness there is always a brighter side of the situation. Love...is what carries you through life, so if you have it, grab a hold of it, and cherish it! I know that I have!