Sacred 7th Birthday
He did it. He made it. All the way to his 7th birthday...
Thank you sweet Jesus.
After all of the medical ups and downs
since August
All of the waiting, praying, hoping
More and more and more waiting
Feeling life hang in the balance
Levi has reached his 7th birthday
Even with the slow and steady improvements in his health over the past week
This milestone feels like the dive I witnessed
Shaunae Miller do at the Olympics in August
Arms outstretched
belly about to slide
across the track
Just get across
the line
Woosh
Collapse
I remember Levi’s 1st birthday
Utter joy with the arrival of an impossible milestone
What relief
His 2nd birthday we were in California
Expecting our 2nd child
As HBOT was giving Levi new access to his brain-body connections
What hope
He nearly died before (and after) his 3rd birthday
It took till April for him to recover
What hell
His 5th birthday felt huge
We celebrated big that year
And began working on a new strategy of survival for Mama and Papa
How to go from running a sprint 24/7 to marathon-mode?
What next
Today is 7…7 years
Again the veil between life / death has felt so thin
Levi’s presence is fully with us today
What gratitude
For the first time, I have had difficulty planning his birthday festivities. I just didn’t want today to arrive without him here. I didn’t want to have a day full of unfulfillable plans. It took me until Dec 20th to buy birthday gifts, Dec 22nd to buy cupcakes. I certainly haven’t cleaned my house or made big party plans.
Today we will celebrate more quietly, just our nucleus family, with music, cupcakes, gifts, a little outing, and an art project to remember the day by.
We will be drenched with gratitude, soaking up every moment with Levi.
Not because it will be his last birthday, rather because Levi has taught us to savor each day as precious and unique.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Oh give thanks to the Lord for he is good;
His steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 118: 24, 29
Thank you for your prayers throughout this Advent season. Thank you for waiting with us as we have been suspended by the great uncertainties of Levi’s life and prognosis. Thank you for being present with us on this journey. We treasure your friendship, prayers, and support.
Today Levi looks to be more stable. Even our plans for a small outing look to be possible. Our hearts will be smiling.
Today’s snowfall outside will remind us that we are still in winter. The diagnosis of uncertainty has been present with us for seven years, from the moment of Levi’s arrival. We will continue to cherish your prayers and support.
We invite you to take a moment today to celebrate Levi’s birthday with us.
Light a candle
Eat a cupcake
Raise a glass
Sit still for a moment
Whatever you choose
Let it be a moment to appreciate life
Levi’s life
Your life
Our collective life together
Happy Birthday Levi
Thank you for again uniting us all in harmony.
