Today marks my younger son Charlie’s first birthday. This time a year ago I was peering through a window outside the nursery in Norman with all the family trying to see what the medical staff was doing with my youngest. It still terrifies me to say that Joni and I almost lost Charlie those first two weeks. From going to the NICU, then having both of his lungs collapse, then to see him have tubes all in his little body, it was all I could do to keep from breaking down emotionally every few moments it seemed.
In some ways those two weeks that began a year ago today seem like a lifetime ago. Then again, it feels like we just got home from the hospital. For two weeks I felt like I was living my worst nightmare, but always woke up knowing that it wasn’t a bad dream; it was reality. I always look back on that time with a sober mind, but I also think of after we got to take Charlie home, and how our lives have been that much more enriched because of him. He has made me laugh more, love more, and understand more about my great God than almost any other experience I’ve had in my life. I’ve seen the beauty of Creation, both on this continent as well as abroad, and yet nothing has affected me quite like my sons have. They are constant reminders to me that my relationship with them is directly in proportion to my main Father. He loves His kids, even if we must suffer in what we may define as a big deal. We trust in His absolute sovereignty, and that was all we had to hope in for those two weeks last year. I love you Charlie. Your mom and I are so proud of you. You are far braver than we’ve ever had to b e, and we know that all things work together for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. -Dad.
