What a wonderful message.  My daughter is 14 and deals with CAH (also non-SW) and another medical issue as well (RSD).  I will admit that at times I feel it is a lot for a 14 year old to have to face, but she does it beautifully and with such grace.  While I look to the board for answers and post concerns, we never let it be the focus of our lives.  Kristin is a happy, well-adjusted girl.  She does well in school, participates in lots of activities, goes to sleep overs and camps, etc.  Sometimes we battle with drs and medication, but so does my husband with his diabetes!  It’s just a part of life.

I’ve missed you since you stopped posting as Mara.  I have often wondered about you.  I remember you seemed to have such insight and a great outlook on life.  We really do need your positive messages on this board.  I, for one, would love to be able to correspond with you to know how to deal with issues in a positive way when they come up for my daughter.  Being just 5 years older, you are so close to what she is experiencing that I feel you could teach us a few things!

Funny you mention about what God’s gives us - Kristin came to me this past summer and said, "You know, Mom, I don’t know why I have these medical problems, but I have decided that God must have a plan for me.  I don’t know what that is now, but I think I want to be a doctor - maybe an orthopaedic surgeon."  Well, I know for a fact that she would certainly be a compasionate doctor.  And, I am sure that you will be as well.  We really do need them. 

Please don’t leave us again Laura (Mara).  Happy Holidays and Take Care.