August 26, 2013: The Day of Understanding

This is a story about how God has a purpose for each of us. My journey began in 1953 with the birth of my little brother, who was born with a heart defect. I was seven years old and quickly became mommy's little helper. He and I became very close, but my life was shattered when, at the age of twenty-one months, he died two days after having open heart surgery to save his life. In my devastated and grieving state, I turned to the greatest power I knew, God. I said, "I know you're not mean, and one day I will understand." I trusted this, and to me it was a promise. That one day is now. It has been six decades. I have learned that my purpose is to share my story. I now see how the pieces of my life were woven together to come to this day of understanding, August 26, 2013.