Monday, April 7, 2008

Could it really be?

Could it really be that my firstborn is 18 years old today?!  Happy Birthday, my amazing son!  I can hardly believe it.  What a long road it has been getting you here safe and sound, son.  When you were placed in my arms 18 years ago, as every Mother, I had great dreams for my sweet little bundle.  You were so tiny but very quickly we realized that you were very sick and might not stay long on this earth with us.  What a crushing blow that information was!  While other Mothers left the hospital dreaming of their little bundles' potential, I was on my knees begging praying to God that you would get to see your crib, first home, a sunrise; hear the ocean; and feel the grass under your cute BIG feet.  There was so much I wanted for you and the time seemed so short.  However, through God's grace, your path was to stay on earth and for that I will be forever grateful.  In the early years, I never could have dreamed that you would grow so tall, strong, and witty ... that you would indeed feel the grass under your still BIG feet and not just hear the ocean but swim in it ... that you would climb mountains to see God's glory and become a naturalist who has a wonderful gift with animals.  Happy Birthday, son! 





After the big teen's three cardiac arrests in his first 5 months of life, he had open heart surgery at 6 months of age.  The surgery turned out to be so complicated that he could not be moved from the RECOVERY room for more than a week. Then he spent another week in Intensive Care before needing to return to the operating room for yet more surgery!





But look at him now...the birthday boy!!


Blessings, Dawn


7 comments:

  1. 18 is such a milestone. My 1st born will be 22 tomorrow and I'm with you, where does the time go. Isn't our God so awesome to hear our prayers and answer them to our desires.

    Hope you have a wonderful day and I'm sending special birthday blessings to your son. May he see all his dreams come true.

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  2. That was beautiful! Happy Birthday to your handsome son! Enjoy your celebration today as eighteen is such a wonderful age! The journey really does go quick doesn't it?


    Peace and Laughter!

    Vicki

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  3. That blog has made me weep with joy that my first born grandson has come so far and has such a good heart. Dawn, you and I went through such harrowing times of stress and fear that we would lose him but a lot of love and effort and thought and prayer has gone into getting him to the ripe old age of 18. He made it. Thank God.

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  4. What a great tribute! Happy b'day to your son!

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  5. Happy birthday to him!

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  6. Happy BIG Birthday!

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  7. Wow...I never new your boy went through so much as a young one. Rejoicing with you for all the Lord has done and will continue to do in this man's life. My oldest turns 12 in October and I remember his birth as if it were just a few months ago. Posts like yours always make me cherish each day all the more. God Bless your son!

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