High in the heavens in August of 2001, Mercury, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and the Moon aligned – a rare alignment that occurs only once each thirty years. In the state of Vermont, a young mother and Father-to-be anxiously awaited their first child. They were told theirr child would be special. Though they were told Spina Bifida was not  an unusual occurrence they were told not to have fear – this one was different.

On August 30, 2001, Erin Odessa Page was born into a life of trials and wonders. She had spina bifida, a condition of which a lot was known at the time.

Her parents named her Erin Odessa. Those who came to know and love her called her by several names like baby girl, big girl, riri.

Over the years it became obvious that these three souls shared more than just being a family. Her Parents, John and Denise, dedicated their life to ensuring that Erin would have all the quality life had
to offer. The joy of life is measured in precious minutes. Erin would never spend her time chasing after money; her Parents taught her that money didn't really matter in life and that the most important thing in life was love. Her Parents would never agonize about the purpose of her life; her Parents taught her that "to live with unconditional love is all that mattered."

Over the years Erin spent much time in hospitals and gained an understanding of life most of us will never grasp. She seemed older than her years, often appearing older. It seemed as if God stopped the clock whenever she was in a hospital. She barely weighed fifty pounds, but her small body held tons of courage, faith and love. Those around her learned these values not by words, but by her presence and being. Older people respected her immensly.

Children were magically drawn to Erin and liked hugging her or pushing her chair. She especially adored her Brother, Evan. Her devotion to relatives by blood was unconditional, and she would love and welcome family without hesitation. Even newly found distant cousins received immediate acceptance and love. Her mother made sure her father, John, never gave up on her. She idolized him.

Like all young girls she just wanted to go to School and do the simple things in life and she loved having a family. She knew that Parents and their love for their children were the glue that kept a family going.

Her ideals guided her in her passions, which were School and art and simple pleausre most take for granted. She watched all the popular shows on Nickalodeon like Sponge Bob. Her eternal favorites were Spongebob and Home Alone and shows that were wholesome.

She liked Disney movies for the same reason. They represented a clean, pure, simple ideal that could be real if we only let it. She had three favorite colors which were green, brown and pink. She loved flowers and was thrilled when her Daddy bought them for her as a surprise. She had many favorite foods like ice cream and french fries with ketchup. She just loved lifes variety.

What Erin didn't know was the impact she would make in so many lives and the lessons she unknowingly taught everybody who would ever know her. She didn't know she would spread unconditional love around the world. She would never show anger but would only show love and joy. She would always be proud of who she was and how she was and those who came into contact with her accepted her with open arms.

Throughout her life she would only give unconditional love to everybody she would know. She would only show faith, courage and bravery. She would only show humour which was a gift she got from her Daddy. Always quick with a hug or kiss or a smile no matter how bad things became she would be loved everyday even more.

In February of 2010 Mercury, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and the Moon aligned in the heavens once again, this time to receive her. There is no doubt she is walking hand in hand with our father, under the adoring eyes of her grandparents there with her. And, there is no doubt that she is watching out for her family here on Earth.

I sometimes wonder why there is suffering in a world so full of of wonders. Could it be that what we endure with faith helps us understand the price that was paid, through His love, for our salvation? And that, if we keep our faith, when we rejoin Him, we carry our light into heaven as a gift. If this is true, it is certain that when staring up into the dark of night, you will surely see a new light shining.

 

In loving memory of Erin Odessa Page, August 30, 2001 - February 20, 2010I