A little over 5 years ago I sat with my friend Amy in the NICU at Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children in Jackson, MS with her newborn baby girl Ava Grace. She was a true miracle baby. Amy was told early in her pregnancy that her daughter would most likely not survive full term. Amy carried her anyway. Ava Grace was born (full term) June 18, 2012. Amy was told Ava would not live more than a few days. She did. Every single day of her daughter’s life Amy was by her side, Breathing life and strength and hope into her. And Ava breathed life and strength and hope right back. Amy was told that Ava would never be able to leave the hospital. Three months later, Amy was carrying her daughter into her own home. She was a fighter. Like her mommy. She inspired so many people. She brought a community together. We prayed for that little girl every day before she was born and loved her every single day she was here. She lived almost 4 months before the Lord took her home on October 7, 2012. She blessed our lives in so many ways and to this day her legacy lives on as Amy hosts a fundraiser every December and donates thousands of dollars worth of toys and necessities for the children at Blair E Batson, where her only daughter lived her entire life. This woman is every definition of a warrior. She is my real life hero, a beautiful, strong, resilient soul. I am convinced that her beautiful glow that she manages to carry every day is her angel Ava Grace shining down on her. I love you my friend. Your daughter is so proud of you.