Author Archives: cindyatkinson0516

I am always completely shocked when I am out in the world and someone tells me that they read Sunshine Soldier. I write because I love to write. But I’m not gonna lie, it’s nice to know some people are reading it. Lately, my readers (it feels insanely weird to type that) are telling meContinue reading “BQ #1”

I love relationships. I value them so much. And I invest in them. But, I can’t fast track them. I want to. If there is potential for deep connection, I want to get there. I have so many amazing relationships in my life. And each one is a blessing straight from the Lord. I haveContinue reading “Shared Memories”

Wow. What a day. I think we have lived weeks in the last 15 hours. But the good Lord was with us. As always. And he sustained us. As always. Caleb was amazing. He loved having all of his siblings with him. And everyone who met him loved it for him. Again and again peopleContinue reading “Long Days #3 (9 pm)”

We just stopped for lunch at the Kentucky State Arboretum. It is gorgeous. We snagged a picnic table for the eaters. Caleb and I enjoyed walking the grounds. Alexa and Si took turns walking with us. The trip so far has been really smooth. Caleb has been mostly calm. Thanks to sweet Alexa. She talksContinue reading “Long Days #2 (noon)”

Sometimes I just wish I could fast forward to the end of a day. This is definitely one of those days. The 7 of us are driving to Cincinnati so that Caleb can get a scope of his esophagus. His gastroenterologist is trying to figure out what in the world is going on. Caleb’s refluxContinue reading “Long Days”

I love that we never really know what a day will bring. I plan and I plan. But of course I am never really in control. And that’s a good thing. This afternoon, I suddenly found myself with just Caleb. That’s rare. So, I fed him his early dinner (he eats at 4:30!) and weContinue reading “Old Friends”

In 2012, Caleb had bilateral foot reconstruction. It was so much. The surgery itself was absolutely horrific (I wrote about it in a post called “Trauma and Triggers). Once we got through that I thought the worst was over. Not exactly. Every two weeks I had to drive my sweet little 6 year old boyContinue reading “Long Roads”

Eighteen years ago I was given the honor of being mama to one of God’s most unique creations. My heart. It melts every time he says, “I love you so much my mommy.” It has been a journey. And sadly, there were times I forgot to trust in the Lord. There were times I feltContinue reading “Caleb is 18!”

That was May 29, 2022. Two days before Si’s accident. We were celebrating Samson’s birthday. We do that every year. We know it’s silly. But it’s a tradition! We had absolutely no idea what was coming less than 48 hours later. We had no idea that absolutely everything was about to change. And we neverContinue reading “Celebrations”