Today completed one of those "full circles" in life for me and I need to journal this. When Josh was born at 31weeks he had several birth anomalies that kept him in the hospital for 3 months. 24 hours after he was born we were told by his doctor, "We've got him on full support, there is nothing more we can do. Now would be a good time to have your family come to see him." The Lord obviously put a veil over Ken & my eyes because we were throwing a party and calling everyone to come see him... it wasn't until a couple years later that we realized what the doctor was trying to say. LOLAnyways, we left the hospital with Josh, who had experienced brain trauma and was suffering from significant hypotonia, to an unknown future that involved lots of doctor appointments, developmental interventions, physical therapy and occupational therapy. At one point when he was about 5 months old his physical therapist told me that a great goal would be for him to try to raise his head, several months later we were worried about walking and told we'd just have to wait and see. I was always so worried that he wouldn't be able to walk by himself... but then, he walked, then climbed, then ran!
He has been an anxious child so... you guessed it, I'm a hovering mother. Why bring this up right now? This week Josh announced that he was going to WALK the almost mile home from school all up hill (no joke!) on Friday. I told him I would meet him at the school and follow him because it would probably be too far and he'd get really tired (he still has some hypotonia). When I headed to the school he had already started up the hill. I turned the car around and started to follow him asking part way if he was tired. Josh turned around and looked at me and said, "MOM... I'm doing it just fine," then proceeded to walk the rest of the way home all the way up the steep hill.
Today wasn't all about walking... if you know Josh and me... you understand what this was about. Josh walked home by himself today, this was not just a physical triumph for us... but so much more!
I am grateful for: My son, and the miracle that I've witnessed over the last 9 years that has taught me so much about the human spirit!
4 comments:
Debi,
You are an amazing mother to BOTH your children. If you dont see that then you need to realize and remember all the trials you have been faced with (personally)and realize no matter what YOU yourself have gone through you are still there to cheer on, look after, and support your kids no matter what it may be that they want to do. Stay happy and SWEET! I love seeing your bright and smiling face!
Love ya tons and tons!!
Incredible? Perhaps! Wonderful? Of course! Miraculous? Best description yet. On the other hand, I find it heartwarming to see great parenting in action. You and Ken were a pivotal force in Josh's life and he's here to prove just that. On another hand, doesn't this give you great insight into the incredible will and solid determination evidenced throughout Josh's life. JOSH ROCKS! And so do the both of you. What a wonderful Mother he has, and a wonderful Father as well! I am so proud of all of you. I love you . . . Dad
Josh I love you and I am so glad to have met you. Your have forever touched my life. Tell your mom to come and see me cuz I miss her too.
Carolyn
Isn't it amazing how you have that veil over your eyes when you are in those times. It wasn't until Tristan was safely home, and I had time to think back on the way things were said to me, or the things that happened, and realized that they thought she was a really sick little girl. -But I never knew that!
I think it's part of Heavenly Father's way of making us fighters, and being able to cope with the situation and be strong for our family.
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