A story of hardship, life’s challenges, love and adversity at its highest level.
Meet, Rylie…
This quite possibly could be the most emotional I’ve ever been writing anything thus far. This little girl’s fight and determination is infectious on a level I can’t describe. I’ve watched this video over and over and I can’t get enough. It’s no secret that we see videos of this nature all the time, but this one is so much different in so many ways. How in the world, after crying so much, did I walk away from this situation/video feeling so positive?! It’s the heart of this little girl, the determination, and drive to not accept what plagues her, but to be the best she possibly can be. Its clearly something instilled in her that will never change. I honestly think it wouldn’t be possible without love, though. Her parents didn’t just support her, they accepted her for none other than their first born beautiful baby girl. Maybe part of that was a challenge, but challenge accepted and they clearly overcame major adversities along the way. It’s so abundantly clear that they put little Rylie before themselves day in and day out, sacrificing many, I’m sure. This is pure unconditional LOVE that’s unbreakable by any challenge such as this.
This world that we live in is more ugly than cute. However, if our population on this planet consisted of individuals with Rylie’s and her parent’s hearts, the world would be an unbelievable place. The idea that they had a 25% chance of this happening again by having more children was the future they were headed towards is unfathomable to me. However, that’s just what Rylie’s parents did! They put their faith in charge, instead of percentages. They now have 3 kids and it’s not only healed old wounds, it’s clearly made Rylie’s fight and life so much more fruitful!
Adversity keeps coming to mind as I write this. Rylie’s mom continues to point out concerns like, will she be able to ever hold a knife if being a chef is her life long goal? Going to Culinary School seems impossible, but Rylie has a different mindset. Will Rylie ask for help, yes! Hell, I ask for help all the time, it’s an extremely useful tool when you’re trying to accomplish something. Utilize you resources, right?? Yes…
The one major thing I want to point out here is LOVE. Rylie is surrounded by a foundation of supportive people and a family that doesn’t know how to do anything other than love and it makes all the difference. This unconditional love is part of our moral compass and it’s no different if you’re expecting parents and you get a boy instead of the girl you wanted so bad. That thought disappears and your instincts as a parent kick in and that is truly how Rylie has the outlook in life that she does. Parents like her’s deserve more than a pat on the back. They deserve to be treated, not as heroes, but good people that we don’t run across very often. That and this type of love is and always will be the way it should be. We all come from different walks of life, but this LOVE doesn’t fall into any bucket of life, it lives inside of Rylie, her parents, myself and our families. I’m very grateful for this and I’m humbled, gracious to be any part of this family’s courageous journey.
There is a person my wife and I think about all of the time and his name is Jay. He’s the main character in the movie “Chasing Mavericks” and we always chant “Live Like Jay” when in difficult situations, but I think we may have found a new champion in this battle we call life. Have the heart, determination, strength and LIVE LIKE RYLIE!!
If you’re as moved by this little girl as I currently am, please consider a donation in honor of Rylie by visiting https://www.atcp.org/
Always with love,
@brandonpromo
