My life was turned completely upside down,
and then put back together in a way that I could
never have imagined.
I like it and I wouldn’t trade it back for anything
in the world.
I go slower now, I enjoy every moment we have
together and I look around with open, curious eyes
like Lily does, to appreciate every detail and every
breath.
“Erin O’Neill,” the lead professor calls out. I
stand up and face the commission, sure of myself,
proud and happy.
~ ~ ~
I can just barely restrain myself from crying tears
of joy when I turn to look at my beautiful family,
who are all here for me.
Patrick’s brothers and sisters have a banner that
says,The smartest one in the family, and I laugh at
their calls of appreciation.
Rain is crying in Liam’s arms and Aaron and
Jay applaud. Nate is sitting next to Patrick, holding
his daughter’s hand and pointing towards me.
Lily is in her baby carrier on her wonderful
father’s mighty shoulders. She’s smiling and
wiggly, even if she can’t understand why, but she
probably feels the love and harmony that reigns in
this family.
And I look at Patrick and he smiles with pride
and his look transmits everything that he feels for
me.
