Okay now it’s Abby’s turn to be in the spotlight. Girl number three. This one’s for you, girl!
1989 – Renton, Washington
She had a three year old and a six month old with colic. And a bad case of postpartum depression. So the telltale sign of nausea was a little overwhelming. She went to the local drugstore, slightly embarrassed that she was carrying a baby and a toddler and paying for a pregnancy test. But her greater fear was what the test results would be.
Getting the kids to bed that night was especially exhausting. If the depression hadn’t taken enough of a toll on her in the past months, this would surely push her over the edge. She crawled into bed knowing that she had to get up at the crack of dawn to catch her first urine of the day.
After a few hours of restless sleep, she woke up with a full bladder at three a.m. She was terrified to go into the bathroom, but knew that any answer was better than not knowing. So she woke her husband and headed into the bathroom. Three minutes never seemed so long. Her hand shook as she looked at the little strip in front of her. And it confirmed – she was pregnant. She crawled back into bed, crying. Her husband who held her close was thrilled. Three children this close together would be fun! Obviously, he didn’t have the raging hormones conflicting with the postpartum in his head. Still, she appreciated his positive attitude.
As frightened as she was with this news, the pregnancy ended up being what saved her from the depression. It evened out her hormone levels and gave her a new perspective. This baby was definitely a gift from God in disguise.
The pregnancy went well. She was surprised how she still marvelled at each kick and flip inside her. Pregnancy would never stop being a miracle in her eyes. And that fact that God would allow her to be part of such a thing three times – it was more than she could grasp. As with her older sister, the ultrasound was inconclusive. So this little one would be a surprise, too.
Her due date came and went. It was May and the temperatures were rising, which is why her ankles and toes were round with fluid. She went on long walks. She jumped up and down. She went for bumpy car rides. But this child seemed very content with the warmth and comfort of the womb. Finally, ten days after her due date, the doctor took pity on her and ordered an induction.
May 24, 1989 – Six hours of labor and ten or so big pushes. And out came an adorable baby girl – Abby Joy. She had the roundest, cutest little face. Daddy beamed with pride. He was clearly outnumbered now. He pulled out his camera once again to take a pictures of his FOUR girls! He was one happy man.
As she lay there and held this precious little bundle, she was again humbled to be a recipient of such a wonderful gift. Her heart nearly burst with joy as she thought about the days and months and years ahead that she would get to spend with her three precious daughters. Baking and shopping and sleepovers. Giggling and talking and secrets. What she had always dreamed of.
Abby grew and was in the 80th percentile – the perfect picture of health. Or so we thought. By age three, she was off the bottom of the charts. Though there was only 15 months between her and her sister, the height difference was comical. There were other symptoms beyond her short stature. Her blood sugar would drop drastically. She had horrible mood swings. Abnormal exhaustion and cold sweats. Night terrors. It got to the point where she had to eat every 10 minutes just to keep going. Mommy was exhausted and longed to get some answers so that her baby girl could be healthy and strong.
They were sent to a specialist that diagnosed her as having no growth hormone. So for the next 10 years, Abby got daily shots of human growth hormone. And it changed her life. She was suddenly this fun, spunky, loving little girl that lit up the room when she walked in. She could live out her name – Abby Joy. Life was good again.
This was a girl that lived life to the fullest. Every challenge was faced head on. Every game fought to win. Every emotion felt to the greatest extent. She had her father’s drive and her mother’s love for people. She was feisty and carefree and the life of every party. There was a sparkle in her eyes that let you know she was ready for fun and made you want to join her. She and her sisters would play and pretend for hours. Giggling, chasing, singing, doing skits for the neighborhood. The connection between them was amazing to watch, and mom would smile with the warmest sense of contentment.
People became her passion. And she grew into a adorable young woman who poured her life into her friends, helping them, laughing with them, crying with them, sharing life. Her sophomore year in college, the faith that she had grown up with all her life, became her own. She witnessed firsthand how much and how inimately and how personally God loved her and wanted to enter into the sweet details of her life. And she shared her story with others so that they could experience this wonderful God and his amazing love.
So if you walk into a coffee shop in Cave Creek, Arizona and see a cute little brunette with a beautiful smile and charming personality, that is my Abby. She will fix you your favorite drink, maybe sell you a pastry, and then ask about you. And she will remember because she cares and greet you by name when you come in next. We love you, Abby Joy. You make our lives so fun and the warmth and strength of your hugs nearly make me cry every time. Thanks for being the wonderful, beautiful girl that you are. Love you bigger than the sky…
