Strength

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
Proverbs 22:6



Myself with the strongest woman I know, Lucretia

I had an amazing day today. One of my dearest friends came to town and I was able to enjoy having lunch with her. Lucretia has taught me so many things and I will be forever grateful for our friendship. Lucretia has taught me some of the most important lessons in life. She has taught me how to love, to never give up, and how to be a friend.


Lucretia with Korbin and Kayleigh

Lucretia and I met at South Plains College when we were both enrolled in the Surgical Technology program. We instantly became friends. She has the purest heart and a contagious kind of happiness. Towards the end of our first semester, Lucretia found out that she was pregnant. From the beginning, I joked around with her saying that she was going to end up having twins. Much to my surprise, I was actually right! I will never forget the day she came to class with her ultrasound pictures of two little UFO looking figures. The program that we were in had a very strict absence policy. Lucretia did all that she could to continue the program. With the start of the second semester came the start of dreadful clinicals. She went as long as she could before having to drop out of school. One my way to class one day, I received a phone call that Lucretia was in the hospital because of complications with the babies. She was just over half way through her pregnancy. Then early on the morning of May 13th(2005) I got a wake up call that Lucretia had to have an emergency c-section. This was bitter sweet because this was also the morning of graduation and I so badly wanted to be able to walk across the stage with her. However, Lucretia became a mommy to the most beautiful son and daughter. Korbin and Kayleigh were born at just a little over a pound each. I feel in love with them the first time I saw them. They were both so tiny but each one had such an beauty to them. It is hard to explain. As you can imagine, both babies were faced with several complications. They both fought so hard! Early on the morning of August 16th(2005), I got the heartbreaking phone call that Kayleigh had been called back to her Heavenly Father. She fought so long and hard for someone so tiny. She will always be remembered.



Lucretia with our angel, Kayleigh

I learned so much from Lucretia's experience. Like I stated above, she taught me how to love. Madison was getting ready to turn 3 when all of this was going on. I knew that I loved Madison more than anything. However, Lucretia showed me a different kind of love. She was up at the hospital as often as she could be with her precious babies. With each medical report that came in she continued to be positive and to hope for the best. When she saw that Kayleigh was hurting she made the decision to take her off of the life support and send her to the one place where there is no pain. In a way, she gave her daughter new life. What an amazing way to show your child that you love them....


She taught me not to ever give up. Lucretia did have to drop out of the program the year I was in it. She also got back in the program as soon as Korbin was strong enough. Not only has she graduated from the program, but soon after graduation, she got her certification!! Just in case that wasn't enough, she is now in school and about to graduate with her LVN. She sets no limits for herself. Most people, including myself, would have given up if they had to endure what she did. She never let it put her down. She uses what she went through to push her to be all that she can be for Korbin. I know that Kayleigh is looking down on her mommy as proud as she can be.


Lucretia and Korbin(almost 3 now!)

Lucretia is the most amazing friend. She doesn't let anything get in the way of being there for someone in need. She can be struggling and still drop all that she is doing to be there for you at anytime. She is a rock!! I am truly blessed to have her in my life and to be able to call her a friend...


Lucretia and Allison




Note to Lucretia: Thank you so much for letting me share your story. I know that I didn't do it justice. You are so amazing and I am so proud of all that you do!!!