"Everybody Loves Me!"

Have you met Willa yet? She's a sweet little girl who did something today that most children her age will never do. She just had surgery! You hardly would have guessed it - she walks so well, but Willa was born with a clubbed foot. She walks with a limp, but that doesn't stop her from taking the stairs, and when asked to hop on one foot... she uses the foot least expected.

Today, as we arrived at her hospital where she was waiting for surgery, we asked her, "Willa, what's happening today?" "I'm going to have surgery on my foot!" she responded. With a beautiful smile on her face, and nodding as she understood, Willa listened as Grace told her what was going to happen so that she would be prepared. "Okay, okay" she said with a courageous gleam in her eye, and when the time came for us to say "goodbye" as she was wheeled into the operating room, that spark was still there.

After a lightning quick surgery (only 2 hours!) Willa returned. Even in her groggy state Willa smiled when she saw familiar faces. As she woke up she began to get excited. "Soon I'll be able to wear shoes!" she said. "In a little while I will walk so well!" she beamed. "Were you scared?" we asked. "No," she replied. When asked how many days she would be in the hospital, she held up three little fingers and grinned. Willa, you're so brave! Just try to keep your foot still.... you have to let it rest!

Before the surgery Willa said something precious, something that encourages and confirms all that we do.

"Mama loves me. Aunties love me. Everybody loves me!"

That's so true, Willa, and we're so happy that you came here to receive that love.

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Posted by Hannah