Mother Warriors

I just finished watching Jenny McCarthy on Oprah this afternoon. Totally inspiring. First of all, I adore Jenny, even from back in the days of "Singled Out"! But this woman has completely transformed as far as I am concerned. I think that her motherhood has brought her such strength and courage and a whole new outlook on life. I already feel this transformation taking place for me. I do truly believe that over the course of the past few years, I have learned and grown immensely, however, I believe that this is the time of my life, and never-ever have I felt so empowered. I hope that I too, can be a "Mother Warrior" for my son in any challenges he may face throughout his life.

Jenny came on the show today to promote her new book "Mother Warriors" which talks about her beliefs on actually healing autism. She said that when her son was initially diagnosed, she made a "proposition" to God. She said "God, just give me the tools to heal my baby, and I will give back by giving others these same tools to help their children as well." Her determination and stamina throughout the course of "healing" her son is nothing short of phenomenal. It is so inspiring to see a woman who fought tooth and nail for her son's recovery.

As if Jenny's testimony wasn't inspiring enough, her ultimate goal of her appearance on Oprah was surprisingly not to promote her book, but rather to tell the story of another Mother Warrior. The woman Jenny was highlighting today (Monica Jorge,) had just given birth to her second daughter only a month prior when she was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis - a flesh eating disease that forced the doctors to remove not one, not two, but all four of her limbs. She also lost her ovaries, uterus, gallbladder and most of her colon due to the spread of the disease. Can you even imagine what would be going through your mind after hearing this news? In my opinion, it would be a damn good thing that I had just given birth to my second child, because without the priority of mothering my children, I certainly cannot promise that I would want to live. Call me crazy - but I am just that way.

Monica never experienced the "why-me" breakdown that most of the doctors expected her to experience. She just picked her life right back up where she left it, and continued to parent her children and be the loving wife to her new husband. I just completely salute this woman with 100% of my being. She just accepted the inevitable. Jenny put it nicely saying she accepted the "What Is". I suppose that is what you do when God puts this type of challenge before you - "When Life Gives You Lemons..."