Ten years ago today, Nancy and I went to the hospital, anxious about the birth of our firstborn child. Just a couple days before, we’d learned that a c-section would be necessary, as our baby boy was a bit too big to be delivered naturally.
Family and friends had gathered. Our lives were about to be changed forever.
I remember being at the hospital for what seemed like an eternity. Nancy was being prepped for surgery. She was nervous… me too. Doctors and nurses treated her like a pin-cushion… IV’s were NOT her thing (still aren’t). The spinal block was extremely difficult. I paced the room.
Time went on. An eternity passed (I’m certain). Finally, I was called back to the surgical room for the delivery of our boy.
I arrived to find Nancy having trouble breathing. The spinal block was inserted too high, and she was losing feeling in her chest. Nurses attended, and we were both stressed. Awful thoughts entered my mind… would she make it? Would my boy? Would I gain a child, but lose my wife? I held Nancy as best I could, tried to reassure her that it would be okay.
Suddenly, we heard the wail of a newborn… you were here, Jeffrey.
Nancy struggled, but begged me to take care of our baby. I left her in the care of the nurses, and followed the nurses who were examining you. They let me cradle you in my arms, and I brought you to Nancy. It seemed as though she stabilized almost instantly. We both kissed your forehead as we shed tears together.
Our family was no longer just the two of us… the young, foolish married couple we were. We were parents. Parents of a beautiful child. Blessed, but overwhelmed at the responsibility we now had.
Today, that baby is now a young man. Growing… almost as tall as his mom. One heck of a bike rider. Loves ATV riding and hanging out with his Grandpa. School… well, let’s just say it’s not his favorite. He’s a very bright kid. A LEGO genius. Future mechanic? Race car driver? Engineer? Something with cars seems almost a foregone conclusion.
We don’t really know what tomorrow brings, obviously. Whatever the case, that young man is our boy, and we love him more than we could have ever imagined possible ten years ago.
Jeffrey? On this special day, we celebrate. You’re entering double digits. No longer a baby… not hardly even a boy now, but a young man. Growing in strength and stature. Growing in your faith. Growing, hopefully, to become a man we’ll be VERY proud to call “son”.
So happy birthday, buddy! Keep seeking God, and let Him guide your ways as you continue to grow! You know that Mom and Dad will do their best to raise you well, but we’re going to fail you in some way, at some point.
So fix your eyes on the one who gives ALL of us life. The one who loves you perfectly. The one who will NEVER fail you.
Jeffrey? Follow Christ, and live a life that rocks this world in ways we can only begin to imagine.
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