I was twenty two. The labor pains grew closer together throughout the day, and then into the evening. It was early November and the sun set at dinnertime. My husband arrived home, tired from a long day at work.
The contractions came every few minutes until we found ourselves at the hospital, anticipating the arrival of our firstborn child.
It was another eight hours until the child emerged just past the dawning of a new day. There was frost, but it was a clear day.
What a beautiful son we had! His eyes were alert, but he struggled to breathe. He gasped and was a deep hue of blue. For months I had planned to nurse my new baby upon delivery, but he was wrapped up quickly and taken away.
Something was wrong. I could barely breathe myself. His name was chosen at that moment...Ian Gerard. My husband and I sat in a daze, and I sobbed into his embrace.
It took hours, but a diagnosis came...Ian had a defect that affected his lungs, trachea, and esophagus. He was taken to a children's hospital and prepped for surgery.
I sat alone amidst a sea of lovely flowers that flowed into my hospital room. My belly was empty and my lovely little newborn was 30 miles away. It would be two weeks until I would realize my desires to hold him in my arms. I never wanted to let go once he was placed there.
Prayers stormed heaven from every corner of the earth. We weren't content to leave God alone without our persistant pleas for His help. Every step of the way, He showed us His compassion and guidance.
Yesterday Ian turned twenty two years old! He is still beautiful, so handsome and brilliant. He is a college student, working two part time jobs, as well as tutoring at school. He has been a blessing to me a million times over.
He has six younger siblings, who look up to him and love him, too.
Love can do anything. It is unfathomable. Sometimes being upside down makes you appreciate when things are right side up.
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