After three years of frustration, seemingly fruitless labor, and buckets of tears, my daughter was diagnosed with ADD. Her poor little brain struggles to organize letters and numbers and keep them straight long enough to store vital information--such as the rules required for reading.
In December, she was home schooled and thus sheltered, having no idea how delayed she was. In January, after coming to the end of myself and my abilities to help her, we put her in public school and began the process of getting her specialized help. For six weeks, my vivacious, bubbly and normally happy little girl came home from school deflated and tearful. Daddy was deployed so it was tough times all around. I'd begun to wonder if I'd made a mistake putting her in school.
One evening, she finally saw her school work with enlightened eyes, and it hit her with one cruel slap that she had a learning difficulty. There was something "wrong" with her, she said. Talk about heartbreaking. We cried together, and I assured her she wasn't dumb. She simply learned differently, and we were going to take her to a special doctor that would figure out exactly how she learned so we could get her the help she needed. She looked at me through her tears and said "I want to go see that doctor
right now." Bless her heart. In one hour, she went from oblivious (albeit frustrated), to crushed, to determined to fix it. It blew my mind away. I was ready to pamper her bruised spirit, but there was no need.
We had to wait another month for her appointment then another two for the testing process and the results, but from that night forward, she was a changed girl. She pasted a smile on her face and determined to like school. And she did. Her academics improved drastically by sheer will-power (and lots of prayer!). And despite still struggling with school work, she loves school. Really loves it.
One week into summer break, we got her test results. Come to find out she's a very bright child. We showed her the numbers and how she compared to other children her age. Needless to say, we were all stunned. Her academics had never demonstrated her intelligence. (Goes to show that smarts aren't always in numbers and letters.) It boosted her confidence and gave us the assurance that one day, she would overcome. She had the ability, she just lacked the know-how.
Monday morning was the first day of second grade. As I brushed her hair, I told her, "I have a feeling this is it. The year you're going to learn to read. To
really read."
I'm not sure if it was my comment or something that happened in school that day, but when she came home she went straight to her bookshelf and pulled off a stack. "Mommy, I'm going to learn to read. And I'm going to start with this book." She held up a Sesame Street Little Golden Book.
"That's awesome!" I said, wondering how long it would last. She loves stories and looks at picture books for hours, but she's never willingly read the words. It's just too much work.
She walked around with that book all evening, stopping every now and then to ask for help on the big words. The next morning, she woke for school, got dressed, and picked up Big Bird. It was the first thing she touched when she walked in the door that afternoon, and ten minutes before bedtime, she triumphantly (and quite dramatically) snapped the cardboard covers shut. We all applauded. She had read her first book! I am ashamed to admit that I often wondered if it would ever happen, but she is the most determined child I've ever known. When she sets her mind to doing something, she does it. Period.
How many times have I let fear, laziness, or hard work hold me back? What have I missed out on because I gave up to soon? God forgive me.
He knew my youngest would need that extra dose of determination and will-power, so praise His name, He gave it to her. She's an inspiration to me, and I can't wait to see what all she accomplishes this year and throughout her life!
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Saturday night, my seven year old declared, "Mommy, now I know why you're always so excited when you finish a book, because I just finished one. And it feels sooo good" (dramatically throws arms in air).
Gracious lady that she sought always to be, Marge tried to be patient. “Dr. Landry intended to preach on Sunday night, Mr. 
Bleeckner,” she said, aware that she was coloring the truth just a bit, “but he’s been in New York the last two days, meeting with his agent and publisher, and he feels the need for some relief this Sunday. He’ll preach on Sunday morning, of course.”
Gabriella has never spent a summer in Italy like this one. 
For the past several years my husband and I have taken our family, kids, parents, to a show of some kind. This summer it was Taming of the Shrew, a favorite play of mine. Although the weather was sizzling, I always love to be with our family, including our two daughters-in-law who have grown right into the tradition. We have supper together afterward if we see a matinee, or have a picnic supper on the grounds if we see an evening performance. Visit the web site for fun: http://www.playinthewoods.com. My husband and I will be returning in September to celebrate my birthday.”
When tough times touch our lives, God’s hand whispers comfort, His power ushers peace and His promise makes all things possible. Blindness and other tragedies didn’t stop this author from helping you see the best of life. In Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God’s Fiesta J.P. Eckles brings you inspiration to soothe your soul, insights to encourage you and boldness to claim God’s triumph .
com. Watch this video for details:
Amanda Flower-- Read- I write because I was reader first.
About the book: 
Dad,
releases today on Kindle! 
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