Shiloh McKenzie
/Shiloh just turned 13. Shiloh is beautiful, kind, and caring. Her name means tranquil, peaceful, and a place of rest. Everyone enjoys spending time with her.
Shiloh McKenzie
In the summer of 2018, it was on my heart and spirit to get to know my niece, Shiloh, and my nephew, Joshua better. We has just welcomed our Sayuri, Au Pair, into our home. With extra hands-on deck, I brought Joshua and Shiloh from Upstate New York to Maryland to stay for a week. We had some wonderful moments together. Shiloh learned the intro to swimming, and was eager to learn. We went to the pool, playgrounds, parks, and visited friends and family in Maryland and Delaware.
Shiloh and Joshua are my sister Jasmine’s children. They had been raised by my parents since birth. I had a deep knowing that I would be involved in raising them. I anticipated a multigenerational home. When my mom fell ill suddenly and passed away in 2020, my role became clear. I stepped forward in faith.
The transition was jarring on so many levels. School ended abruptly secondary to COVID. My mom and their grandmother had passed. I had to emergency petition for their custody. COVID made us shelter in place. I had four elementary children in remote learning from home, two in New York and two in Maryland. All of this was complicated by legal Matters associated with custody.
I was able to take some time off work to grieve and facilitate change. I am ever grateful to my job for giving me time in the tenuous state of the emergency department and COVID. I am ever grateful to Sayuri for making the decision to stay and extend her contract and help me through this transition when she could have moved on. The beautiful thing is that she had already met and spent time with Shiloh and Joshua and therefore had an idea of what she was getting herself into. I knew she was eager to go home, see her family, and experience life. Additionally, the local community that supported us with clothing, furniture, gifts, and monetary donations were significant blessings.
I was grateful for the opportunity to develop experiences and raise trust with and within the group of children. We ran, played tag, went on nature walks, read, and taught the children. They got to know each other and I learned a lot about each of them as we navigated change together.
Shiloh is a protector. This role with Joshua was heightened in the aftermath of loss and change. She spoke up for him. She could be an excellent social worker, child advocate, or develop a business where she trains others in this field.
Shiloh is very observant and has a keen ear. I believe she could also be incredible with languages. She could be a polyglot, teach languages, serve as a missionary in a foreign country, or open a school that teaches languages.
Shiloh loves to draw. She spends hours on end in her sketch book. She enjoys sharing what she knows. She could be a wonderful art teacher or own an afterschool program.
Shiloh loves to swim. Once the pools opened up, she remained eager to learn. Alivia and Audrey were instrumental in teaching her to swim. From blowing bubbles to accomplishing her first unassisted lap, we all shared in this victory. My daughters have been swimming with me since they were 3 months old so that we can travel the beaches of the world together. We were all invested in her learning.
Shiloh is now a strong swimmer and a contributing member to our summer swim team. She sees how Alivia and Audrey have set goals and she has followed suit. Shiloh could be a world class swimmer, a great swim instructor, or own a swim school.
Shiloh learning to blow bubbles
The possibilities are endless. She is learning to hear from God. She knows that He has a plan and a purpose for her life. She has persevered through many things and her story of overcoming will help others. She is learning her voice and becoming aware of her personal gifting. She has two incredible role models in Alivia and Audrey, but each of them have different strengths, giftings, and callings.
Raising her has been a tremendous privilege. I have had to increase my capacity and grow spiritually, mentally, and emotionally to rise to the occasion. Everyone benefits from a better version of myself. Thank you, Lord.
“Rejoice always. Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
God touched my heart to shift my perspective on motherhood.