While rocking in my rocking chair enjoying great music a question came to mind.

What is something I did in the past that I would not dare to do today?

Being that we were raised in the 40’s and 50’s by a single mother that worked long hours . My sister and I took care of ourselves and did the home chores. We learned a lot from those years and both of us grew into strong independent women just as our mother was.

I am not sure exactly how old we were but I am guessing that I was 12 and my sister 10. We were just kids, but one day I believe we had our first experience of empathy.

We noticed a little girl outside all by herself. I would guess her to have been 4 or 5 year old. She was dirty and her hair was a mess.

We went outside and brought the little girl inside. We proceeded to bathe her from head to toe, clean her clothes, comb her hair and put her back outside where we had taken her from.

We had never seen the little girl before and had no idea where she came from. She never showed any fear and she was a very sweet little girl. We never saw the little girl again after that day. Were we entertaining an angel unaware? I have wondered about that. She appeared and disappeared so quickly.

To do something like that today we would be arrested and accused of kidnapping. So no I would not do that today. Things were much different back then.

Seeing that little girl and doing what we did was the beginning of my sister and I both becoming caregivers.

It led me to my purpose in life as a caregiver of children. And my sister as a caregiver of adults.

I had a love for children, especially babies from about the age of 10. If I was allowed I would carry around every baby I was near.

My first babysitting job was when I was 12 years old. I had a few more babysitting jobs and I worked at some Day Cares. In my 20’s and early 30’s there were many other jobs, but not with children.

In my mid 30’s I found myself caring for babies with needs I knew nothing about. But once those babies came to my arms caring for them seemed to come natural. I knew that was a gift God had given me. I had never had any training. But when I had questions or needed to understand something. The Lord made sure I knew right were to go.

Children ages 3 days to 14 years old came to our home for a few years. But eventually only special needs babies and young children were sent to us.

Failure to thrive babies, abandoned newborn babies, drug babies, babies with heart monitors, babies with apnea monitors and babies needing round the clock use of other equipment.

I had never felt peace like I felt while taking care of those wee ones. I knew I had found my purpose in life. Each one brought joy to me and I loved taking care of them.

As a young adult I had some fun times. Wonderful times were spent with family and friends. For the most part I was happy, but inside there was a gnawing miserable feeling that would not go away.

When the children began coming to me that gnawing feeling went away and never returned.

I truly believe we are all born with a purpose in life and that we will know when we are on our path to fulfill it.

I hope you have found your purpose and the peace and joy that comes with it.