Hero is spelled: Rachel Pettit

Rachel and Ramee

Rachel is my very best friend.  We met online when our husbands were in the Marine Corps together.  We were young wives and we loved the Lord.  Somehow, that drew us together, but now I know without a doubt that God had chosen this friendship for us long before we coulve even breathe air.  Let me explain...

Rachel and her husband were living in Maryland.  After months of trying to conceive their first child, they did!  A baby girl was born 9 months later and Rache was living out her perfect dream.  She had a beautiful new baby, was madly in love with her husband and they had just joined a new church.  One random day, after one thing led to another, Rachel found out that her husband had been having an ongoing affair with a co-worker.  Their baby was 5 months old.  After pleading, begging and everything in between, Rachel's husband packed a bag and left her and their new baby.  Immediately my husband and I asked her to fly to us in Illinois so that we could see her through the most devestating time of her life.

Before we knew it, Rachel and her baby girl were living in our new baby's bedroom.  2 months later, our family was thrust into a journey of unknowns when our 3rd baby (a little girl named Mabel) started showing signs of delays along with seizures, hearing and vision loss and a downward spiral of other complex conditions.  Looking back, it felt like quickly our ability to care for Rache and her new baby was overshadowed by a horrific reality that something was seriously wrong with our baby.  During this time, my best friend rose up from within herself and surrounded me with strength, courage and dedication to our family. 

There was never a time that I had to worry about who would keep my other children while I was at a stressful appointment.  There was never a therapy visit that she didn't sit at my side for the inevitable disappointment and hurt.  There was never a night that went by that she didn't curl up beside me with the laptop and indulge in hours of research and tears.  There was never a time when she didn't love my baby with all that was within her.  As I dove into a time of grief and despair, I saw her slowly coming out of hers.  It was a cycle that lasted well over a year but where I was lacking, she was strong and vice versa.  I believe God had a plan long ago and although I don't believe He caused any of this hurt or any of the unknowns-I do believe He used it for the good by bringing us together.  My husband worked nights and I was never alone...and neither was she.  We had each other-our very own 'God with skin on' to see one another through the most terrible year of our lives.  When she felt angry and betrayed, so did I in much different ways.  When she felt sad and hopeless, so did I.  When she felt tired and weary I rose up and when I felt like dying from sadness, she promised not to let me lose myself in the hurt.

I can never explain the intricate, delicate balance that went on in this house or in our hearts during this time together but what I can tell you is that this friend of mine is a gift.  Everyone in the world deserves the kind of love that she has shown me, and my entire family.  She often says she couldn't repay us for seeing her through that dark time in her life, but in reality it is I who could never have survived without her gentle eyes, knowing smile and uncontrollable laughter. 

Rache and Mabel

Our daughter, Mabel, is still undiagnosed.  She will be 2 years old next month.  Rachel still lives in our small town.  She helped organize our first 5k race last year and will be by my side as we hold our 2nd annual race in August.  She has attended important appointments, held me as I have cried for hours, learned how to navigate a g-tube, seen the worst of the worst and loved me anyway.  She knows how to spot a seizure from a mile away and now even works with special needs children daily.  She overcame the worst, most painful situation and did so with such grace.  She is a wonderful single mom who loves Jesus and loves people well.  She is the hero of my heart and I know God made her perfectly-if only for me. 

I love you, Rache.  More than you will ever know.  This friendship is the best gift I have ever been given and I love doing life with you every day.  You are the beat of my heart, love.  No matter what life throws our way, I feel brave knowing I get to handle it with you.  You are an unsung hero and today I'm singing your praises!

Submitted by Ramee Larson, mom of three including Mabel.  She is the founder of Mabel's Able a support organization for families of children with rare or undiagnosed conditions.  To learn more you can visit: www.rameelinlarson.com