The Story of You

The year was 1995. It was one of the best and one of the hardest years of our lives....my man and I. I spent the majority of that year as big as the side of a house, pregnant with our first baby boy, Matthew.  Man, I was large and in charge, and hungry, I was always hungry!  I don't think my man ate much that year because I was taking his food! Joining me in the large and in charge club was my sister.  We were due within a few weeks of each other.  We like to keep it interesting in our family. Two weeks before my due date of October 1st, the doctors told me that our baby boy was breech.  I remember this day like it was yesterday....they rattled off my 3 choices for delivery while I sat there and cried.  This was before cell phones....gosh did I just say that?  Ugh.  Well, if there were any, we didn't have one.  I used the phone attached to the wall to call my man and cry so uncontrollably that he thought disaster had surely come.  Always my rock, he calmed his redhead down and made things better.  I knew my sister was at the doctor's office that morning as well and my mom was with her.  My doctor asked me what else I needed and I said.....I want my mom (crying again)!  She found me and calmed me down once again. We decided that Matthew would be born by c-section.  I didn't plan for this - this wasn't on the menu.  To say I was terrified is putting it mildly! On September 28, 1995, the world became a better place! Oh my heart....I thought I would just explode with love!  Thank you Lord for allowing us to take part in a miracle with You! Found out the hard way that day that I am super duper allergic to anesthesia.  I was violently throwing up....imagine being cut nearly hip bone to hip bone and then throwing up.  The pain is one of the few things I vividly remember from that day. If I wasn't throwing up, I was sleeping but I remember being very anxious for them to bring Matthew to us, in my hospital room.  I remember asking why is it taking so long?  Where is my baby?  I remember seeing doctors take Gary and my parents out in the hallway.  I remember worried looks and garbled words spoken to me.  I could not understand.  All I wanted was my baby!  Looking back, it was a blessing that I was out of it and couldn't remember everything. They would not be bringing Matthew to us, he would be kept in the NICU.....he had 2 seizures in the few short hours that he had been in this world.  After a million tests, they told us that he had a stroke while he was still in my belly, that there was a narrowing of a blood vessel on his brain.  He also had a rare type of heart murmur. Our hearts were so heavy and we felt so lost and sad and scared.  Don't you hate the unknown? They sent us home after 4 days, Matthew on medication and lots of doctors appointments scheduled.  The neonatologist told us that his left side would be slower than his right side and they would monitor him for the rest of his life. At 21 years old, this is the first time in my life that I really remember and experienced the power of prayer.  The prayer chain had been started, old school style, using that phone attached to the wall.  People all over were praying for our little boy. Two weeks after he was born, they did another brain scan and the narrowing was GONE!  The doctors could not explain it but to say that it was a miracle!  A MIRACLE!!!  The neonatologist followed him for 1 year and then discharged him. One side is not slower than the other, he is perfect!  The pediatric cardiologist followed him until he was 8 years old and then discharged him.  Over the years, the murmur had gotten smaller and smaller to the point that they could not even hear it anymore and said as far as he was concerned, Matthew didn't have a heart murmur. Thank you Lord for the miracle that is our Matthew!  I know that God healed you to use you in huge and mighty ways to better His Kingdom!  God has grand plans for you son! Twenty One - I don't understand how the time has gone by so fast!  As a young man trying to find your way in the world, I wish you could see yourself through my eyes....... You are perfect, you are awesome, the best parts of Daddy and I.  Our gentle giant with the kindest heart.  You are funny with the blessed gift of sarcasm, one of the few people that can look at me and know exactly what I am thinking.....even from all the way across a high school gym.  Compassionate, caring and thoughtful, your big hugs make everything better and they always make my day.  You are gifted and talented in ways that you aren't even aware of yet.   I have so much fun hanging out with you - you are just plain fun!  Next to your Daddy, you are my best friend!  I have loved every single second of being your Mommy and I am excited to watch your story.  One day, you will be an awesome husband and father and will do great things in Jesus name! I love you baby boy!  Happy Birthday!