While inspiration can be found all around us, we sometimes forget one of the most incredible sources of inspiration in the world: children.
Kids can often surprise us with just how intuitive and smart they are, like these young girls who have a brilliant take on the issue of body image.
For those of us who are somewhat familiar with the Bible, we've probably heard the expression "out of the mouths of babes" many times.
But the saying has never held so much truth as it does for one little girl.
Julianna Snow is a 5-year-old girl who hasn't been able to live the normal life of a child. Because of an incurable disease, Julianna has had to be in and out of the hospital for years.
And while these hospital trips can help to keep her alive longer, each one is extremely painful for the her, taking a large toll on her spirit.
One year ago, Julianna's mother asked her a very important question. Juliana's response was not only shocking in its clarity and wisdom — it was absolutely inspirational.
h/t CNN/Daily Mail/JuliannaYuri.com
Julianna's parents, Michelle Moon and Steve Snow, first noticed a problem when Julianna was only 9 months old, as she was unable to sit up on her own. At the age of 1, Julianna couldn't even make it to a standing position, while other children were beginning to walk.
Michelle, who is also a neurologist, told CNN, "The worst thing in the world for a neurologist is to not hit your milestones. But I tried really hard not to overreact and freak out." Julianna was given braces and a walker to help her stand and walk.
After seeing several specialists, Julianna was eventually diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which is an incurable neurodegenerative disease. Initially affecting only her arms and legs, the disease soon began to take its toll on the nerves controlling Julianna's breathing and muscles.
At the age of 2, Julianna was able to walk with the help of a walker — but things slowly began to worsen. Michelle described one trip to the hospital – which lasted 11 days – as a "slow-motion horror story," according to CNN.
At the age of 4, Julianna experienced three separate hospital stays over the course of only 10 months. These visits were crucial in helping to remove pneumonia-causing mucus from her lungs.
While each visit had been able to keep Julianna alive, doctors feared that they would not be so lucky with a future infection. With the hospital visits extremely painful and draining for young Julianna, her parents made a very difficult choice: they asked her a question.
On her blog, Michelle Moon posted this conversation with Julianna on July 15, 2015:
Yesterday we read the Heaven book. I've been wondering about our plan to take her to the hospital if she gets sick again – because it's even harder now to imagine her suffering. So I decided to ask her. Her answers were fast and clear.
Michelle: Julianna, if you get sick again, do you want to go to the hospital again or stay home?
Julianna: Not the hospital.
Michelle: Even if that means that you will go to Heaven if you stay home?
Julianna: Yes.
Michelle: And you know that Mommy and Daddy won't come with you right away? You'll go by yourself first.
Julianna: Don't worry. God will take care of me.
Michelle: And if you go to the hospital, it may help you get better and let you come home again and spend more time with us. I need to make sure that you understand that. Hospital may let you have more time with Mommy and Daddy.
Julianna: I understand.
Michelle (crying): I'm sorry, Julianna. I know you don't like it when I cry. It's just that I will miss you so much.
Julianna: That's okay. God will take care of me. He's in my heart.
Julianna's touching and insightful words broke her mother's heart. Michelle told CNN, "She made it clear that she doesn't want to go through the hospital again. So we had to let go of that plan, because it was selfish."
Michelle and Steve agreed that they would heed their daughter's wishes. According to CNN, while in the hospital, a nurse would put a tube down Juliana's nose and throat every four hours to suck mucus out of her lungs. Michelle and Steve couldn't blame Julianna for wanting to spend the remainder of her short life at home.
On her blog, Michelle Moon posted this from March 2015:
Just before bedtime, Julianna asks for a sip of water. I am reluctant because I'm afraid that she'll choke. She persuades me, takes a sip and chokes. I feel awful. Julianna insists that she's okay.
We move on to bedtime prayer. At the end she says…
Julianna: Julianna is okay even though she choked. Tell God.
Michelle: Okay. If you say it's okay, it's okay.
Julianna: God helps everyone. He tells everyone the truth.
Michelle: You're right.
Julianna: God said Julianna is not tired.
Julianna's incredible strength, bravery, and faith in God has proven an inspiration to people around the world — but not everyone has been supportive of allowing Julianna to decide her own fate.
However, many know that the pain and struggle of battling for her life in a hospital is no way for a child to spend her time on earth. Pediatrician Dr. Chris Feudtner told CNN, "She knows more than anyone what it's like to be not a theoretical girl with a progressive neuromuscular disorder, but to be Julianna."
He continued, "Palliative care isn't about giving up. It's about choosing how you want to live before you die. This little girl has chosen how she wants to live."
On her blog, Michelle Moon posted this conversation with Julianna on October 24, 2015:
Julianna: I will love you forever.
Michelle: I will love you forever.
Julianna: I will always be your baby.
Michelle: And I will always be your mom.
Julianna: Not when we die…
Michelle: Yes, even when we die.
Julianna: Mom, will you miss me when I die?
Michelle: Oh Julianna. I nod.
Julianna: I don't want you to be sad. I want to give you flowers so that you remember me.
Michelle: Julianna – it could be a long time – you've done so well. Do you worry about dying?
Julianna: Nods. Sometimes. I'm used to things here. I'm not used to dying.
Michelle: Of course not. No one is. We only die once. Sweetie, I don't want you to worry about it.
Fortunately, Julianna has avoided infection for over a year. Michelle calls the time that they have been able to spend together "a dream." However, she knows that this reprieve will not last forever.
On her blog, Michelle Moon posted this conversation about Heaven with Julianna in June 2015:
Julianna: Do you want me to stand in front of the house, and in front of all the people so you can see me first?
Michelle: Yes. I'll be so happy to see you.
Julianna: Will you run to me?
Michelle: Yes. And I think you will run to me, too.
Julianna: I'll run fast. Julianna shook her head back and forth to show how fast she will run.
Michelle: Yes, I think you will run so fast.
Julianna's unwavering faith is truly an inspirational example of strength and bravery. "Out of the mouths of babes."
Little Julianna teaches us how important it is to love, laugh, and have faith — even in the face of adversity.
Please SHARE Julianna's beautiful story with those you love.
