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Friday, July 11, 2008

The Most Precious Gift!

Some days are ordinary, some come with surprises. Some days are special, some are to remember always. But then. . . . . One of those days comes that you just KNOW rank up there with the best of the best. . .A day you will never forget for the rest of your life.

And yesterday was one of those days for me.

It started out as maybe a "2" on a scale of 1 to 10 -- 10 being a really good day. I had not slept well as I just don't sleep at all if I have to lie flat on my back and not on my side. I laid there, staring at the ceiling, wondering if I would ever fall asleep. Buster was snoring away, not a care or problem in the world, and that seemed comforting to me. My left breast was hurting from the biopsy and felt as though someone had clamped my nipple to my nose as they used a huge drill bit to do this biopsy. My right chest felt as though they had inserted a cement building block in there. Other than that, I was ok! I finally got up at 4:00 am, made some coffee, and walked about a mile back and forth in the dark, in my nightie, up and down my little sidewalk. Buster just walked beside me as we listened to the whipporwills, the tree frogs answering each other, and the sound of a train far off in the distance. It was calming, actually!

The rest of the day was uneventful, though I seemed not able to concentrate much on any one thing. I felt I was "wandering."

My Brother-in-law brought me my mail early in the evening, and I was surprised to find a package there. I had not ordered anything and wondered what it was. Oh yes! Lea from Farmhouse Blessings had told me a package was coming, as my friend, Colton, had a gift for me.



I want to tell you something, it was a life-changer for me. I haven't been the same since i unwrapped Colton's present. There I stood with big tears running down my cheeks as I held a Barbie Doll in my hands!!!!! Go ahead and laugh if you want. I know I sound like a silly goose here, but it caught me off guard, believe me. First, I knew how much time he had spent looking for just the right gift. Lea had told me that much. And he just KNEW this was IT! There was Barbie, all dressed up in her pink princess dress, with a pink crown! and on the back of the packaging it said, "A beautiful Princess, just like YOU!"



Now don't tell me you wouldn't just swell up like an overgrown ofe and feel like the most special woman in the world for that one moment in time!!!! I never had a Barbie in my whole life. And now???? Here, a little ten year old spends his saved-up money on an old lady who's sick and buys a Barbie Doll dressed as a pink princess to help me feel better.

I just hugged that doll, and I thanked the Lord over and over for the simple love of a child who reaches into his heart and finds more to give than some of us do in a whole adult lifetime!!!!! Of all the gifts I've EVER received, this one just hit the core of my heart, let me tell you!

So when I calmed myself down, I wrote Colton a thank you note. I have to share it with you, as you won't understand his response later on if you don't read this:

Dear Colton!

Today, the mail lady brought a big box to
my door, and I was so excited because I really like getting surprises. And since your Mom told me to be expecting a box, I looked right away to see, and sure enough, it was from YOU!!!!!!

I just tore into that box because I couldn't wait to see what was jiggling around in there!

I put everything on the table, and there was a special present there with pretty paper on it. . . . and it said it was from "Colton!" Now THAT was the one I certainly wanted to open FIRST! I tried to guess what it was, but I just couldn't wait, so I ripped that paper off. . . . .

And I just started crying! I don't think I EVER in my WHOLE LIFE had anyone who thought I was a princess and gave me a princess doll. And FOR SURE, I NEVER had a Barbie doll of my very own, so this was surely a very special day for me. I think you made this day the happiest one ever, and I won't ever forget it! Thank you soooooooo much for thinking of me, and especially for praying for me. I know that I'm really safe and protected by God because I know that Colton prays for me every day!

I want you to know, Colton, that you are the most special guy in my life and that I love you with all my heart! I wish I could just reach through this computer screen and give you the biggest bear hug that anyone has ever given you!

Just remember that when you are praying for ME, I'm praying for YOU so our prayers are crossing each other all the time!!!!!

Thank you again for my princess! I will keep her near me all the time, you can count on that!!!!!

Love you!!!!
Cora


And then, a little later, I got an email back from Colton. . . which was almost as precious as the doll itself:

I just read your letter to Colton and he smilled REALLY big and said "Oh man!" He wrote youa reply and here it is ... unedited and unabridged. (Smile)



Dear Cora,

Are you feeling better? God is with you and I hope that you are feeling better. Maybe if you pray, you will feel better. I know that God will touch you.



I think YOU are a present. I love you Cora.



I know this is the first barbie doll you've had in your whole life. Me & mom looked in the girls stuff to find it. And sure enough I found a baby doll that would make you happy.



Hope you feel better.



Love,

Colton



I know there will be tough days ahead of me, when I wonder if it will all be worth the bother. I know emotions will run wild, strength will be at a minimum, the will to fight will fall off, and I'll be crying, "Why me?" and I won't find a song or a verse in the night hours of this journey.

But you know what? Just the thought of this little, precious friend of mine praying for me, and seeing this little Barbie Princess will be the best encouragement I could ever have. You know why????? Because I KNOW Colton approaches the Throne of Grace with a simple faith that trusts the Father with EVERYTHING!!!!!

Colton, God has sent you into my life because you have walked through places I have never been and you are willing to take my hand and lead me and remind me that everything will be OK just because God said so!

Now someone please tell me if there can POSSIBLY be a better day than this!!!!!

37 comments:

Beemoosie said...

Wow, I am blubbering here. God is SO good, and I truly believe He brings us all together, even through cyberspace!!
~Blessings and hugs!!
Bonnie

papel1 said...

You can sure bring tears to one's eyes.
Judy

Charity said...

Bawling my eyes out, cora.... Off to search for tissue.

Charity

Deb said...

Hi Cora, you've had a wonderful day! It was encouragement for me also. I think your day could have been rated on a scale of 1-100, 100being tops. I'm so glad you had this day, Colton is truly a messenger from God. Take care Princess Cora. Deb

Toni said...

What a sweet little boy!!I`m so glad you shared this story with us,Cora!!I hope you get a better nights sleep tonight:)I`ll be praying for you!

Mona said...

Cora,
I'm truly touched by that amazing and moving story of God's love. [wiping tear from eye] Thank you for sharing. Continued prayers coming your way.
Blessings.

Susie said...

What a sweet and touching gift from that dear little boy..

Renna said...

Words fail me. That is the most precious thing.

Joyfulsister said...

Aww Bless his heart, that was truly a gift from the heart. Cora could you please email me I need to ask you a question *smile*
joyfulsister60@msn.com
Also I wanted to send you this poem I pray it will minister to your soul..

Where can I Run To..

Lord where can I run to
When no answers I can find.
When I need some comfort
Strength, and peace of mind.

Lord where do I run to
When I cannot see.
Or understand each battle
Or the road ahead of me

I run into your arms
It’s the safest place I know.
For in your loving arms
Is where you help me grow.

I run into your arms
Where my cares slip away.
You comfort me and give me hope
To face what comes my way.

Written By: Lorie A.Yocum

Hugz of Aloha Lorie

2 Much Farm Primitives said...

I'm just speechless. What a moving story. God is alive and well!!

Love you Cora,
Vic

naomisnotions said...

Oh, that is just soooo sweet!!! I have tears welling up here! You are truely blessed with that special gift, in more ways than one!!!

Thanks for sharing! :)

Naomi

PianoPlayer said...

Small things often make the biggest difference. I'm so glad that you had such a great day.
Cheryl

Anonymous said...

Hi Cora,
Every since you left the comment on my site I had been meaning to get back to you. When I got here Wednesday and read what was happening, I was so sorry you are having to go through this.
I tried to leave a comment then, but it wouldn't go thru.
I am so glad I came back today. I also believe God sent Colton to you and you to Colton.
It looks as if you are a very strong lady and with God's help(and your wonderful network of friends and family) you will be just fine.
Good thoughts and prayers from Georgia.
Pam

Debra said...

Dear Cora, Thank you for that wonderful story-and it's totally fitting for you because YOU ARE a princess. You are lovely and you do have a crown. Colton is a sweet messenger from the Lord. God bless both of you. What an inspiration you are to us. Love, Debra

Sugarplum Cottage said...

I've been so busy and tired, when I read this, I had a good cry that relieved me of all this stress I've been carrying around. Thank you Cora and Collin, for lifting me up, with your faith.What a wonderful way to make us realize we should be like children all the time. How encouraging this must of been to you, everyone should try to see the world thru Collin's eyes. He has no doubt that God will take care of everything. Jesus, bless this little boy. Love ya, RoseMarie

Anonymous said...

God bless the sweet innocent faith of a child....words cannot express..

Katy said...

oh my goodness...that is so incredibly sweet!! You totally deserve that barbie, Cora...and you truly are a wonderful princess to Colton, i think! :D He is such a special boy! I am so glad that made your day and thank God for precious little boys with hearts of GOLD!!! :)

Jan said...

Cora, What a beautiful blog and how fortunate you are to have a special friend like Colton. I found you through gafarmwoman and plan to return and continue reading. You are on my prayer list and please keep us posted on your progress.

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Hello Sweet Cora!

It was so good to see you pop over to my blog! So nice to see your sweet picture waiting for me!

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers! I am glad to know you had your prosedure done and hope your recovery is going well. Bless you heart Cora!

What a darling Barbie doll Colton picked out for you! A Barbie doll just for you!

Thinking of you dear friend!

Love,
Maryjane

Anne Fannie said...

Wow, what a wonderful story for me to read on Sunday. It brought tears to my eyes! I am so touched. Isn't it amazing the things we learned about life from little children.
Hope this next week is full of happiness and joy for you.
Love, Ann

Wendy/TheCozyYellowHouse said...

Oh My Lord!! What a precious child and what a precious gift!! I think you have found your Angel on earth!!:0) What a beautiful Blessing!! God Bless!!~Wendy

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

OMGOSH! That was THE BEST blog post I have ever read! What a darling young man and of course, we know that is because he is a child of God and Lea and her DH. Cora, I hope you have many many more days like that - though I agree, that would be hard to top. I hope that every time you see that Princess, you remember that you are a Princess - and not just to Colton my dear!

God Bless and many many hugs, Linda

Chanda said...

that was a truly beautiful day. It sometimes takes such a simple act of love to ground us back to God's faith. God bless you Cora.

Ann said...

I cried so much my eyes are stinging. That is the sweetest thing ever!
What a precious boy. What a precious story, better then a hallmark card.

You should print those e-mails out and keep it with the doll,so that in future who ever comes across your doll in a dusty attic will also know this touching story.

Farmchick said...

Hello-
I thought I was merely coming by to thank you for visiting my blog and check out your blog...little did I know I would be blessed with such a beautiful post that would bring tears to my eyes. May God bless you and keep you strong as you travel this difficult journey.
Hugs-

Kimmie said...

Dear Cora,
My goodness, that was one of the most touching stories I have ever read. What a sweet little boy Colton is. You are a Princess and a Pink one at that. God loves you Cora and He will walk with you through this. I have kept you in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to do so.
God Bless YouCora and God Bless Colton.
Big Hugs and Lots of Love,
Kimmie

Aliene said...

I CRIED WHEN I READ ABOUT YOUR BARBIE DOLL AND COLTON. IT WAS SO TOUCHING. CAME ACROSS YOU ON DEBORAHS BLOG AND JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT GOD WILL BRING YOU THROUGH. I HAVE BEEN THERE AND HE WAS WITH ME EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU. WE SERVE A BIG GOD.

Wanita said...

What a precious gift from Colton! I'm sure he knows that you are a daughter of the King of Kings, so you truly are a princess ~ and a Princess Barbie is the perfect thing to remind you of that.

Blessings to you, Princess Cora!

Julie said...

You are and always will be a princess because you are a daughter of a "king". That was a very touching and heart-felt story. I am so grateful for kind, sensitive children of a loving Heavenly Father. Prayers are answered, and not always as we expect. ((((((((hugs to you))))))). Julie

Daizy Donna said...

aww Cora, That is so sweet!! Colton is an angel!! So glad you have found each other! Hugs
donna

CathyJean said...

Oh, Cora I am crying so hard I can hardly see to type!
God love you!! What a wonderful way of showing His care for you through a sweet little boy named Colton!!
Praying for you ~
Hugs!
Cathy

Deborah said...

Wow! You and Colton sure have caused alot of tears! This was such a beautiful post. What a special little boy he is...and what a friend to have praying for you. You are truly blessed!

Memphis Mimi said...

Hi Cora. Bless your sweet heart.
You must be a very strong woman.
I have heard it said that God never puts on us more than we can bear.
Your story brought tears to my eyes.
You tell your story so candidly that it might be a good idea to let the cancer society know about your blog and ask them to link to you. I would be happy to do that for you if you are too modest to do it yourself.I agree with Colton. You are a princess!

Sherry's Cabin said...

Cora, I can't type very well through the tears. Isn't it just amazing how God talks to us every day if we'll just listen? And, what an awesome kiddo! Colton is tops! I pray that God leads me to be more like Colton in my life. Cora, we're going to make it through all of this as a family with God's Hand on our shoulders.
Love and Blessings,
Sherry

Kay-The Rustic Cottage said...

WOW! That's about the only word I can find to say after reading about your gift from Colton. God is so good to send just the right person and the right thing into our lives when we need it. Off to get a tissue!

Love,
Kay

*Linda Pinda* said...

All I can even get out between the tears is "Thank You, God".

Thank You for Cora...
Thank You for Colton...

Thank You.

dsblanchard said...

Dear Cora,

I did not know you in 2008. I was not with you when you went through your cancer treatment. I became your friend in 2011, after it was all over. I thank God for Colton. He was there when I was not. At 10 years old he already knew what I am just beginning to realize at age 60: real prayer has feet on it.

I LOVED this. Thanks for directing me here,
Dawn