When I was born in 1955 in a small hospital in southwest Missouri, the doctors and staff thought that a dwarf baby as tiny as I had no chance for survival. So they placed me in the back of the nursery and advised my parents not to hold me or become attached to me because I would not survive for long.

On the third day, my 6-foot-2-inch father demanded to hold his little girl, reassuring the staff that his love was big enough to withstand whatever was to come. My parents took me home and I thrived. Ultimately, I reached my adult height of 3 feet 4 inches.

Making a difference
Academics were my pleasure and refuge from a sometimes chaotic home life. I wasn't big enough to ride a bike, but I never questioned whether or not I could do things. At age 5, I wrote a letter to newly elected President John F. Kennedy and received a reply. My picture was in the paper, and I learned I had a voice that could be heard. Graduating as salutatorian of my high school class, I decided to become a medical technologist and work in a hospital laboratory.

However, I experienced a bump in the road on my life's journey when I applied for a job at a hospital in order to complete my degree. In an interview, I was first told that because I was not as tall as the laboratory counters, I was not big enough to be a medical technologist. Ultimately, I convinced a different hospital to take a chance on a student of short stature who had made consistently high grades in laboratory classes where the counters were quite high. I successfully completed that degree and later a law degree.

In the fall of 1984, I had just been sworn in as an attorney and had bought my own home. On Oct. 11, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Sarah Ashley. Much to everyone's surprise, I had carried her to term while working full-time at the hospital and also finishing law school. Sarah was also affected by short stature but was otherwise healthy. Blissfully absorbed in my new role as a mother, I found it was more important to me than any professional career.

On Jan. 30, 1985, at the age of 4 months, Sarah died of sudden infant death syndrome, which was unrelated to her small stature. Losing Sarah seemed to tear a hole in my very soul. The whole center of my life dropped out. For the first time, I felt unable to connect with God.

In seeking a minister to perform Sarah's memorial service, my mother suggested I attend a Unity church. I did, and in the minister's message, I found comfort and a recognition of some of my own spiritual ideas. 

I continued to attend the Unity church and began to take classes, including Discover the Power Within You. Awakened to the concept of God as pure love, I understood that Sarah's life was a gift of love, and I also discovered my own power to heal and change my life. The effect was profound.

Returning to the role of mother that Sarah had taught me to love, I adopted two dwarf children from India, first Victor and then Kari. My children have been a part of my spiritual growth with their unique gifts and lessons they have shared. 

We are all enough
Most of my academic and professional life has been spent challenging people to look beyond my appearance to see the strength of my character, the contributions of my capabilities, and the power of my faith. I may be half the size of others; however, I am not half the person. … In 2001 I left the practice of law to pursue my spiritual path more fully. In 2004 I was ordained as a Unity minister.

My life has long been my ministry. When I treat all people with love and respect, it sets an example for others to see the Christ Presence in everyone. When I respond to prejudice or ridicule with determination and compassion, I help others to see that my power comes from my connection with God. When I pursue my dreams with confidence, I hope that others will be inspired to pursue their own dreams and know their own power.
 

This excerpt originally appeared in Daily Word® magazine.

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