My favorite
One of the great joys of parenting is getting to know your children’s friends, and some of my favorite memories from Newcastle involve the times when our youngest daughter, Summer, would have parties or sleepovers with a batch of her giggling little buddies.
Olivia McVay was a mainstay at these gatherings over the years. She was such a nice and polite little girl that it was almost inevitable that she would do something sweet or kind (or not join the other kids in doing something mischievous or mean-spirited) at some point. I would then be prompted to announce to the whole rowdy crew that “Olivia is my favorite.”
I was always joking (or at least half-joking) and the other kids would laugh and say “she is always the favorite,” or something else to acknowledge that Olivia’s aversion to childhood drama was generally appreciated by the adults in their lives. All of the girls were good-natured, however, and as they grew older it became a game to dethrone Olivia and claim favored status for themselves, but I’m not sure any of them were ever able to pull it off — at least not for long.
Another great joy of parenting is seeing your children’s friends grow up, experience success and find happiness as adults, so my heart broke a little for Olivia as I learned about her trial through posts on social media. I remember thinking, “she doesn’t deserve this,” but then I was overcome by pride and awe as I read about the love and courage she and her husband display while they support their brave little boy through what will be a lifelong fight. I thought “she might not deserve this, but every child deserves a mother like this.”
I had a lump in my throat as I read about how the couple’s faith has grown through the ordeal (See page 1 story, Baby Brooks fights), and a tear rolled down my cheek when Olivia acknowledged that everything happens for a reason, and told Summer that God “does not make mistakes.”
I marvel at the strength of the little girl I once knew, and find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for Olivia’s willingness to share her story because it demonstrates the power of love and hope. The fact that we can share this inspiring story in the days before Easter supports her faith that everything happens as part of His greater plan.
As I read the story Summer wrote this week about her old friend, and the heart-wrenching experience she and her husband and their tiny child have endured, I recalled those carefree days. I remembered the good-natured child who occasionally stayed at our house or caught rides to and from various games and practices, and decided that I really wasn’t all that surprised that she had grown up to be such a courageous young woman. I am still staggered by the fact that she is capable of showing so much love and compassion, however, and can’t help but think her story is meant to inspire others to demonstrate the same this Easter season.
We ask our readers to join us in praying for Olivia and her family, and thank her for blessing us with their story. While it is gratifying to know that our community produces young people who make the world a better place, this story is also a reminder to hold onto the faith that the time we invest in our children and their friends will produce fruit someday.
Olivia’s story is proof of that.
He is risen indeed…
Happy Easter!