Loving Amber by Robert Lentz

 

On October 9th, 1995, Amber joined the Lentz family.  Her parents, Robert and Marilyn, had one other daughter.  Amber's birth brought with her all the normal hopes and dreams of every parent - first steps, first words (hopefully "mama" or "dada") - first day of school....

However, Amber was diagnosed with spina bifida, a malady in which there is an opening in the back, exposing the  spine to infection.  Amber's condition was manageable. In April of 1997, she contracted hemolytic uremic syndrome, leaving her brain damaged, and nearly 100% paralyzed.  Some would assert that she was also non-communicative but Bob would disagree.  Although the complex medical terms flow smoothly as he speaks, it is not until he shares stories of Amber, his exceptional daughter, that his eyes sparkle, and his voice lightens.  He speaks of understanding Amber on her terms - the little lift at the corner of her mouth, the crinkled brow, and from time to time a tiny laugh.  Together, the family finds joy and beauty in small moments.

This is by no means an "Oh poor me" story.  In fact, it is the exact opposite.  Of course, the family never knew when there would be an unexpected equipment malfuntion, usually followed by a trip to the hospital. This was their life and they embraced it.  For some, there would have been anger - for them there was an open road of acceptance; for some there would have been frustraion, and perhaps guilt, but in the Lentz home, there was only the desire to see Amber happy, and for her to know how much she was loved.

When Bob came in to chat with me about his book he said, "I'm not a writer, I'm just a farmer, and I want my daughter's bravery to mean something."  You will probably cry as you read parts.  That's OK. but they won't be tears of sympathy.  They will be tears of admiration for the tenderness and warmth in the voice of Bob Lenz as he invites us to experience the wonder that was Amber.

Sunday is Father's Day. Dads, dance with your children, toss a football, read a story, or simply breathe in the goodness they bring to your lives.