Thursday, June 28, 2012

A Strange Anniversary

A year ago today the doctor’s told us Eli had clubfoot, and then in the very next breath they told us he also had down syndrome. As you can imagine (and many of you know) Heather and I were devastated. One ultrasound started a terrible chain of events. In fact as I write this, it’s the time of day that we got our first look at Eli. Although at that point we didn’t have a name or even if he was a “he.”

Yeah, he was cute even then...
Even a year later, I can remember that day with perfect clarity. I suspect I’ll be able to do the same 50 years from now.

We’ve been through a lot. Most of which we’ve shared on either this blog or in other conversations. Clubfoot is a terrible thing to deal with, and there isn’t a day that goes by where our life isn’t impacted in some way by it.


If there’s something I’ve learned about suffering it’s that suffering refines your senses. It helps prioritize your life. And in it’s own strange way makes you appreciate the things you do have in your life. I haven’t regretted a moment of time with Eli. Not when he woke up every few hours to feed. Not when he only wanted to wear his “uniform.” And not when he threw up on me. And now that Eli has started to recognize when I come home from work, it’s even better. Because every day I’m greeted by a little boy who is so excited to see his Daddy that he can’t sit still (he starts bouncing up and down until I pick him up).

Every parent can experience that - but it’s extra sweet for me, because there was a time we didn’t know if Eli would live long enough to bounce with excitement. And suffering taught me that.

So while it’s easily been the worst year of our lives. Ironically, it’s been the best year too. Looking back we can see what God has done for us. We can see the Hope he offers. We can see the Encouragement he brings.

A strange anniversary indeed.

3 comments:

  1. Those are moments that will be with your for the rest of your life.

    Isn't it fun when they start to recognize you!

    Btw, I have added your blog to my foot blog list.

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  2. I still remember the day my husband and I found out our son had a clubfoot. It was full of emotions, one minute we found out we were having a boy then the next minute they were telling us he had a clubfoot and possibly had Down syndrome. He was born healthy with one crooked foot and nine toes all together! We never knew when it would happen but at 16 months our baby boy finally started to walk! The journey has had its ups and downs. We've cried and laughed (he got out of his cast three times in one week!!!) and the process still isn't over! He has been the biggest blessing in our lives!

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  3. Kathryn - thanks for stopping by we appreciate your thoughts! It sounds like you had your hands full with your son. I can't imagine Eli getting out of his casts 3 times in 1 week! (Although we're having a hard time keeping him in his braces at night!).

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