Monday, August 4, 2008

Decade Plus 1 = Our Miracle






Eleven years ago we went to a pool party. It was hot, it was crowded, and I was 100 weeks pregnant give or take a year. No one understood why I refused to take my swollen body into the crowded volleyball arena called a pool, but I knew something was going to happen quickly with this baby.

One hour after the party ended, we were at the hospital. Five hours later, Checkered decided to turn green and try to pass out. His explanation was that he had been up all night. At the time, I chose to ignore that comment as the epidural wasn't working. Then, just as the sun was bringing light to the day, our first son was born while Checkered sat down and drank orange juice.

That boy proved to be the sweetest baby ever born into our family. He was and remains the most even-keeled temperament here. He is kind. He is patient. He is considerate in the most adult-like manner. He is also the member of this family who has faced the most difficult challenges.

Through this beautiful boy we have learned so much. We have learned how one little virus and the dehydration it causes can lead to doctors screaming and ambulance rides and frightening hospital stays. We have learned about Oral Motor Apraxia and Duane Syndrome. We have learned about speech therapy and occupational therapy and physical therapy and eye patching. And we have learned to steel ourselves when experts tell us our son will struggle learning how to read, will struggle learning how to ride a bike, will always have deliberate, disjointed speaking skills, and will always have a head turn to avoid seeing double.

We've learned about tenaciousness. We've learned compassion. We've learned trust.

But most importantly, we've learned that God does hear prayers and He does heal. We don't know why the Lord chose to work through medical experts and beyond them to heal our boy, but He did.

And this boy? This boy who was first called, "handicapped" when he wasn't yet two years old? This boy who could only say the utterance, "Uh" for years? This boy whose vision was terribly impaired in one eye by age 2? This boy who still sees double if he looks straight ahead? This boy who suffered so many more issues than I feel comfortable posting?

This boy turned 11 yesterday. He reads! And he reads beyond grade level. He has fluent speech. He has 20/20 vision in both eyes and perfect depth perception. He is a great soccer goalie and scored a goal in hockey last week! He earned straight A's last year. He gave a speech and was elected to Student Council. Just call him "Bullseye"on the archery and bb gun ranges. And there is far more than I could ever tell you in one post. He is our miracle and as my mom calls him, " Our Wonder Boy."

Happy birthday, you precious, precious boy!











14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Better LATE than never.

Happppppppy Belated Birthday to BOTH of you!


MizFit

Mental P Mama said...

What a testament to you all! Well done. And Happy Birthday!

Big Hair Envy said...

Happy Birthday!

I just want you to know that this post gave me chills. What an incredible story about the life of an incredible boy:) He truly is a miracle!

Unknown said...

Beyond all the accomplishments and hurdles...I see one handsome young man..cuz, mom, once you hit "double digits, you are wayyy grown up!

I love to hear about the wonderful miracles and blessings our Lord bestows on us through the power of prayer.

Happy Birthday!!

Pleasing Procrasinator said...

Happy late Birthday!!
Your post was amazing and shows us we should never give up hope.

Beth said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

And, what a great story about this young man!

Unknown said...

I laughed so loud about your comment about your relatives running to put their foot on the DOB on your aunt's gravestone! People were very funny about their age years ago. I mean look at Zsa Zsa for cripes sakes! My grandmother was older than my grandfather, and she was 40 when my dad was born so she was very self conscious about her age.

Laura ~Peach~ said...

Happy birthday wonderboy !!!

tell your mom to bring you down here and let you target shoot the squirrels (we do and its tons of FUN) nothing is more fun than seeing them jump :)

what a handsome guy you got there caution :)
Hugs Laura

Karen said...

You've made me cry. What a tribute to a wonderful God. Happy birthday dear boy!

Jeannelle said...

A very happy birthday to your very special boy! What a great story and a tribute to faith and trust in God's providence in our lives!

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy for you. Thanks for sharing your miracle :) Happy Birthday, Kiddo!

Grandma Tillie's Bakery said...

How awesome! What a wonderful boy you have, what a wonderful God we serve.

As Cape Cod Turns said...

Great story, Happy Birthday!!!!

Anonymous said...

Love the post. Love the kid. Love his momma who obviously loves him so much. And LOVE that winter coat ;)