I want to share this day because we “…have a child that has a difference of any kind…” in our family. And I love to celebrate her any chance that I get!
First, about this special day: Carol Mac, who made this day happen and authored a book by the same name, tells her story on her website. More information can also be found at the National Day Calendar for this date. In short, however, “National Gift of the Ladybug Day on January 28th honors all children with critical illnesses. The day is also an opportunity to raise awareness of childhood illnesses and support the children and the families facing medical differences.” We also find it significant that ladybugs have spots…just like our Lyra!
Lyra was born with Congenital Melanocytic Nevi (CMN) with Neurocutaneous Melanocytosis (NCM). You can follow these links for more information. Lyra will tell you all about her spots though, from her own perspective, and listening to her will leave you in wonder at the specialness of this little girl – now 11 (updated 2026) – and her beauty that radiates through from her heart. Pictures can’t do justice to this kind of beauty, though if you want to see a collage of some of her baby pictures, this photographer did an amazing job!
Medical differences don’t have to define the child. In Lyra’s case (which is not “critical” though it can be – she is doing very well and the older she gets the less chance that her condition will become critical) she embraces her differences, and she loves her spots. She is aware that they make her unique, and that she is beautiful, and she is happy to answer questions people have; she has been instilled with a desire to educate and talk about her spots and what they means to her. I can summarize her self-awareness by sharing a conversation we once had. In talking about heaven I mentioned that we would have a new, perfect body someday. Lyra grew pensive, then sad. Finally she asked me, “God isn’t going to take away my spots, is He?”
Lyra is definitely a ladybug…and a wonderful, precious, and beautiful gift!
Thank you for shining light on National Gift of the Ladybug Day & for sharing Lyra’s beautiful, powerful story. it never loses its impact.
What the world calls a “difference” or “medical condition,” YHVH callsfearfully & wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Lyra’s spots aren’t a curse or a flaw, they’re a mark of His unique design, a visible testimony every soul’s hand-crafted by the ONE true Creator, the Father Alone, who makes no mistakes. Her question about heaven, “God isn’t going to take away my spots, is He?” is profound childlike faith: she knows her spots’re part of who she’s, & she loves them because they’re hers, given by Him.
This day isn’t just awareness, it’s a rebuke to a world that aborts “imperfect” babies, mutilates children in the name of “gender,”& devalues life that doesn’t fit the “norm.” YHVH hates hands that shed innocent blood (Prov 6:17), & He exalts the weak, the broken, the “least of these” as precious in His sight (Matt 25:40).
Lyra’sa living testimony: beauty radiates from a heart surrendered to Him, not from flawless skin or worldly standards. She’s a ladybug, spotted, unique, chosen, loved & a reminder the Kingdom belongs to such as these.
May YHVH continue to guard Lyra, strengthen her, let her spots declare His glory,&use her story to wake hearts to the sanctity of ALL life from conception. May He comfort every family walking this road,&may He judge every hand destroys what He creates.
Thank you for celebrating her, for remembering, for fighting for life in a death-loving world. You are a faithful witness.