More Thankful a Decade Later
A red, dwarfed baby fought for life kicking as doctors prodded and tested. Waiting for me to regain consciousness, my husband cheered from behind the prison of a window that kept him from caressing his newest love. Our 1 lb. 13 oz. neonate was whisked to Dallas in an ambulance. Dylan wondered whether he would see his son alive again, but a quiver of hope overshadowed fear when the doctor called,
He is strong and healthy, just small.
My strong, healthy son’s birthday is this week. He will be 10 years old. The panic that seized us a decade ago has been replaced with amazement and thanksgiving. Yet every time I see the disproportionate head, skinny arms, and transparent ribs of a preemie, I cry.
Instantly, I’m transported to the time my son resembled a bald, shriveled, old man surrounded by blinking, beeping monitors, wires, IVs, and a nurse telling me me not to rub my baby’s foot. “He needs a constant touch. Do you like to be tickled on your feet?” The abrupt words pierced my heart as I slowly absorbed the fact that my son was alive and sleeping in a warm, plastic house. I could not even care for him.
The tiniest fingers imaginable grasped mine as I prayed and sang quietly through tears,
The Spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon you
Because He has anointed you
To preach good news
He has sent you to the poor
To bind up the brokenhearted
To bring freedom to the captives
And to release the ones in darkness
This is the year
Of the favor of the Lord
How can I not believe there is a plan and purpose for Bug? He is our son of jubilee. His very name means shrewd fox who supplants the kingdom of darkness. He came through the shadow of death and shines brightly. For that I am most thankful.
Wow! I didn’t realize that your son was so close in age to my daughter! She will be 10 Dec. 9th.
What an ordeal to go through. May your son’s day be full of blessings.
Warmly,
Mandi
Happy Birthday to your son
Mandi,
Are you freaking out like I am? I can’t believe my son is 10. Double digits. Half way to being a grown up. Ahh!
I hope your daughter has a wonderful day as well.
Jen,
Thank you. He is so excited. I am baking the cake today and hope to make it resemble a piano. :)
Yes – I am – I am thinking about the girl things that we need to discuss soon if ya know what I mean – she can’t possibly be this close to the teen years! I am also having a tough time with my littlest guy turning 4! Oh how fast it goes!
Happy birth day, mama. :)
Mandi,
Yes, I know what you mean. My husband has had some interesting conversations with Bug. One I overheard made me think my husband needs a review of biology. Then, of course, I don’t do much better when put on the spot. :)
Andrea,
Thank you! There are some moments we never forget.
Every life is precious! Thank you God for this young boy!
:-)
Yet another inspiring post.
ThirstyJon
What a beautiful story about your son!!! Happy Tenth!!!!
God brought him through the valley for a reason. How exciting it will be when you figure out what it is! :-)
ThirstyJon,
Thank you. His life his a testimony for the glory of God.
I haven’t checked your comment box recently. How is the debate going? It might feel like a losing battle, but you never know what seeds you will plant.
Tammy,
It is exciting to see him grow in his interests and talents. There are good things in store for this musical, creative kid!
WOW!
What a strong boy you have now and what a MIGHTY GOD we serve!
Oh, how touching is your son’s story Renae. God is good all the time, and He truly has a purpose for your son! Happy birthday to the boy who has proven God’s miracles are indeed true, after all!
Blessings to you always!
[...] our miracle baby came home from the hospital, our Volkswagen camper bus was traded for a vehicle with seat belts. [...]
Wow, Renae. What an ordeal and a praise to God who kept your son in His loving care! My eyes are teary. My sister has adopted 4 children, all born before their “due date”. The youngest was born at 24 weeks gestation and is a testimony of God’s faithfulness. He spent months in the NICU but will be turning 2 years old in July. Praise be to God Who always causes us to triumph!
Summer,
Yes, our God is amazing! Those tiny babies are a tribute to an awesome Creator.
I was so scared that Bug wouldn’t live, yet alone thrive. He was born at 35 weeks and had to stay in the hospital for about a month. They sent him home earlier than expected because the doctor said, “We’re just feeding him.”
Wow! What a great transformation! Praise the Lord for His goodness! Great post!
Happy Birthday, Dylan!
[...] Bug is now eleven. I’m still thankful more than a decade later. [...]
Beautiful. God is so good.
[...] ratty, rotten cuddly. Teeny, tiny preemie clothes. Wooden horses missing their [...]
[...] Renae- “When it’s all done the little ones we hold in our arms are the focus, not how they entered our love. (And by the way, my son is fine. He was born at 35 weeks and weighed only 1 lb. 13 oz. You’d never know it now. Here’s a post that contains his birth picture {yikes!}: http://lifenurturingeducation.com/2007/11/19/more-thankful-a-decade-later/)” [...]
[...] Renae- “When it’s all done the little ones we hold in our arms are the focus, not how they entered our love. (And by the way, my son is fine. He was born at 35 weeks and weighed only 1 lb. 13 oz. You’d never know it now. Here’s a post that contains his birth picture {yikes!}: http://lifenurturingeducation.com/2007/11/19/more-thankful-a-decade-later/)” [...]
[...] Renae- “When it’s all done the little ones we hold in our arms are the focus, not how they entered our love. (And by the way, my son is fine. He was born at 35 weeks and weighed only 1 lb. 13 oz. You’d never know it now. Here’s a post that contains his birth picture {yikes!}: http://lifenurturingeducation.com/2007/11/19/more-thankful-a-decade-later/)” [...]
Happy BIRTH day to all of you! Your post brought tears to my eyes. My eldest is turning 10 at the end of the month too. WOW, double digits! When he was born my mother’s intuition that something was wrong went into overdrive and left me in a state of anxiety and depression. I can now, just in the last few years, marvel at the sovereignty and providence of our Lord, that no, nothing is “wrong” or accidental, but our entire family can rest in the complete care of my Savior.