I Have A Kid I Don’t Deserve

When I first saw this sculpture, it immediately invoked feelings of appreciation for the childlike innocence I experience every day in my eight-year-old daughter, Leighton Hope.

As we go through life and age, we can’t help but become somewhat tired, bitter, and exhausted by the things life often forces us to encounter. But coming home to a child — that certainly does seem to make the hardships of life more endurable. It changes things vastly.

A child can give you new purpose and motivation in life. When you are responsible for someone, it is a good sort of pressure — to be the best version of yourself. To leave one more decent human on the planet. That’s not what this sculpture was created to celebrate though.

“As an art student, Martin Hudáček of Slovakia was moved to create a sculpture to draw attention to the devastation abortion can bring to the woman, and to the fact that through the love and mercy of God, reconciliation and healing are possible. ”— Dan Ziedler for Lifesitenews.com

This child represents what could have been — a loss. A parenting experience someone will never have. I am sure it is hard. Abortion is no easy choice and I certainly send no shame to those who have been in such a situation.

That’s what I love about art — pieces can be different things to different people thus only increasing their value, being able to give so many different gifts to their onlookers.

I have an eight-year-old princess living in my life. She is as precious as a diamond. I am hooked. We do everything together. We cook, paint our nails, garden, play with our cat Simba, go shopping…everything. I never was much of a kid person as a teen or young adult, but boy did everything change when they laid that little bundle of love on my chest for the first time. I fell in love. Absolute love.

Having a kid unlocks parts of you that you don’t know are inside of you. Everything changed from that moment.

She is eight now and I must say this age is my favorite — the five–eight-year-old period. They can talk with you at this age, really talk. They can do things with you: coffee dates, dinner, travel. It’s fun!

She’s my best friend. No one understands me like this tiny little human does. It amazes me how much wisdom she can have at such a young age.

When I’m quiet, she knows something is up.

She has a natural concern for the homeless or hurting and a total childlike faith.

She’s hugged me when I’m crying. I try not to cry in front of her though.

When I’ve forgotten things, things I’ve promised her I’d do or buy for her, it’s often met with an, “It’s okay mommy I know you didn’t mean to forget.”

I remember a few years ago, after a job loss and an especially rough time, I once was so broke I couldn’t even buy her a happy meal. I cried, feeling like an utter failure. She hugged me. Mom, seriously it’s not a big deal. I don’t need it. We still struggle from time to time but are doing much better now.

She has a heart of gold and I don’t deserve her at all, I’m just thankful God, for some crazy reason, has entrusted her to me and put her in my life.

Of course, she can be bratty, stubborn, and selfish, as all kids can be at times. And let’s face it, even us adults. But she’s my kid. And she is special to me. I get compliments on her all the time and she’s doing well in school. I feel so lucky.

She picks me up when I’m feeling low.

Gives my life real meaning. I have someone to leave behind me when I die.

She likes to volunteer and we have done a few outreaches together.

She has a tender heart. I recall one of her camp counselors telling me last year how one of the campers was especially homesick and crying quietly in their bunk bed, Leighton snuck in her bed and held her all night. Against the rules of course, but she has a heart for the hurting and I love that about her.

She loves to run around outside and play with bugs (gross) She’s a little tomboy. Butterflies are for chasing and she would adopt a squirrel if I’d let her. No way lol.

She makes me laugh every day. She makes life a fun thing to wake up to. I am so lucky. My little Leighton. I was petrified to have her, a surprise baby from my not so stellar college boyfriend. But I took the leap of faith and chose to have her, I’m so glad I did. She makes me want to be a better me.

I have never known a love like the love I have for my daughter. I can’t wait to grow with her and have many new experiences. I can’t wait to help her get dressed for her first school dance or watch her play sports. We have a whole road ahead of us and I just feel so thankful I get the opportunity to be called “Mom” to the sweetest little girl I’ve ever met.