Today, I am praying for my lovely, amazing sister. She has limbal stem cell deficiency and has been struggling with her eyes for the past few years. Her eyes have been so bad recently that she has not been able to see to drive or to do many of the other things that we all do every day.
My sister, Crystal, has always been incredibly active. She loves being outside with her four children. She has always been wonderfully creative, joyful and charismatic. She inspires, creates and lives for her children. She is that mother that all the other mothers despise due to her ingenuity and individuality. Her kids adore her and genuinely like her as a mother and a friend.
Her eye troubles have changed her life drastically the last few years. She has not been able to see any further than maybe a foot in front of her. This has taken away her ability to drive, to play outside with her children or to do many of the things she used to do. Her greatest fear through all of this has been the chance of not being able to see her children’s faces every day.
I have been completely amazed as I have watched her struggle. I have never seen anyone so positive and strong through something so hard. She does not allow people to pity her or feel sorry for her. She makes light of her situation and laughs at herself when she is clumsy because of her lack of eyesight. No matter how bad it has gotten, she has remained positive for her kids and has not allowed them to worry for her.
Today, she is undergoing a long anticipated surgery that will hopefully fix her eyes for good! She will be getting a stem cell transplant in her right eye. Her left eye has healed a remarkable amount since she began a intense medication regimen over a month ago.
Her amazing husband has been there for her through this whole ordeal and has taken vacation to be with her during her surgery. She and her husband had to drive eight hours from their home to a specialized surgeon who will be doing the surgery. I have flown here to Roanoke, Virginia to watch her children for the week while she is in Cincinnati having the surgery.
Being here this week has been fantastic for me. I have gotten to witness how much her husband and children adore her and their unwavering support for her. I must say she has a fabulous family behind her. Her kids, Hailey, Desiree, Trent and Tyler have asked about her every moment she has been gone eager for her return with her ‘new eyes.’ Her husband has worked hard in preparation for today to ensure everything will go smoothly this week for me and for Crystal. He has helped her to keep her positive attitude and has maintained his unwavering support for her and her full recovery.
I have always looked up to her and I hope that someday I could be at least half the mother she is. I strive to be as good of a sister as she is to me. Although I will never have her power of persuasion that she has over me (you know what I am talking about Crys), I hope that I can make her feel as loved and special as she has always made me feel.
So today, myself and many others are praying the surgery is successful. I am confidant that she will come out of this beautifully and this ordeal will soon be nothing more than a memory.
Love you sis! You are a rock star and have hot legs!!
All Things Good 