Embracing the unexpected
When Vestavia couple Morgan and Hugh Cheek heard the news they were having twins, they knew their lives were forever changed.
“I was hit with the stark reality, maybe more firmly than ever before, that my life was not my own and our plans are not God’s plans,” said Morgan. “I was scared.”
Morgan and Hugh, college sweethearts, married in 2011. Hugh was in medical school at the time and Morgan was a social worker at a therapeutic day care, Children’s Place Inc., where she worked with families who had special needs.
Ally Ruth and Bailey Grace were born to the couple in April 2013. Due to low blood sugar and a low temperature, the girls were taken to the NICU. However, the nurses assured the couple the babies were the healthiest they had seen in the unit in a long time and they would be OK.
Several months later, Morgan and Hugh, along with family members and doctors, noticed that something was different about the girls and that they were behind their peers in development.
In February 2013, the couple’s neurologist informed the couple that something was very wrong. Today, the girls’ condition is still unknown.
“An MRI and a hundred or so normal blood tests later, we have been given the diagnosis of ‘unknown genetic disorder,’” said Morgan. “Our girls are still not sitting, but our hearts are so full of the joy they continue to bring us every day.”
Throughout these difficult times, Morgan wrote about her journey in an online blog. As time went on, many people encouraged Morgan to write a book about her experience.
On Milk and Honey: How God’s Goodness Shows Up in Unexpected Places, tells the story of the girls’ first years and was released in July.
Morgan hopes anyone going through a struggle can relate to the lessons in the book.
“The vision is for people to see the good in suffering,” said Morgan. “Whether you are a parent of children with special needs or any challenge you are walking through.”
The book is titled after a Bible verse Morgan felt spoke to her. At the end of each chapter, there is a section for lessons learned. Morgan emphasizes she wrote this book as a helpful tool for others rather than something for herself.
“So many parents with special needs are such caregivers,” said Morgan. “My goal is to reach people and encourage them. The journey is challenging and parts of it are just outright painful, but it is also absolutely rewarding.”
Morgan said she started this process with no major expectations and has been overwhelmed with positive responses. She plans on continuing to update her online blog with stories from her journey.
For her, there is only one real indicator of the book’s success.
“If just one person is encouraged in their journey, then that’s enough,” she said.
On Milk and Honey is available on Amazon. Morgan is available to speak at Bible studies, small groups, women’s events and conferences.
For more, visit hishandshisfeethisheart.com.