Thursday, November 21, 2013

Hey e-xtraordinary

Hey e-xtraordinary
7 months pregnant - we still couldn't decide on your name. That happened 3 days before you were born. Ian is Gaelic for John and in Hebrew your name means “Graced by Yahweh” (God). And we were.
7 minutes old - you were our Barney (tv dinosaur) lizard baby. You came out purple, like your shirt your sister wears now. You also kept sticking your tongue out repeatedly. Regardless, the whole pregnancy I was scared I would not love you because I wanted a girl (a sister for your sister) and I couldn't imagine having enough love for another baby. I could not have been more wrong! I was overflowing with love for you. My heart grew that day and everyday after.
7 hours old - you were a champion breast feeder and no longer purple.
7 days old - you'd bring sweet tears of joy to me when you'd smile and roll your eyes in sleep. We loved our baby tv! We could watch you all day long.
7 weeks old - finally sleeping all night in the bassinet, which took a lot of tears on both our parts. You really really really liked sleeping in our bed all snuggled up next to us. You cried and cried when I'd move you to your bed. I didn't know your little obsessiveness was showing through at such a young age. Really, you were two weeks old the first time you wailed when I moved you from our bed to yours. But at 7 weeks the time had come. Again, you always knew what you wanted!
7 months old - you had all who looked upon you enraptured by your smile. That smile is forever embedded on all of our souls.
7 years old - you and your sister are like twins and go hand in hand everywhere, both of you looking up to your big brother for everything. You also became “social” in school…that is that every teacher conference started with “he loves to talk.”
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7 days before your homecoming - we were sitting and having dinner with you discussing parent’s weekend. You were very bummed we didn’t get a bed and breakfast room big enough so you could stay with us! I wish we had. That was a great weekend and I am so thankful to have spent it with you.
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7 minutes after your homecoming - I was oblivious that my heart and my world were about to be shattered. Your sister pointed out just the other day that by this time you had started praying for us as you walked in Heaven. We needed it. I am not sure we would have survived without it.
7 hours after - we were still trying to call all your friends, we already had meals in the fridge and flowers and cards and hugs. This was because of you. You never met a stranger. Never. And they all showed up for you.
7 days after - we celebrated your life with 130 of your close friends at our house on Friday night. We shared stories. We cut hair for Locks of Love. We cried. We prepared for the bigger celebration the next day.
7 weeks after - everything is wrong in life and life hurts.
7 months after - you are still amazing me. We learned you are still living here on earth through 577 donations!! …From The Tissue Center: The significance and impact of Ian’s gift is beyond measure – I don’t know if I can adequately express to you and your family how unique this outcome is. I spoke with several of my colleagues and we all agreed that to our knowledge, The Tissue Center has never seen a gift as far-reaching and extraordinary as Ian’s.  What he has accomplished, and will continue to accomplish through donation is truly remarkable…You are still giving your all in life and I am so proud of you Ian.

7 years from now - we will still all feel Graced by God for having you part of our lives. 

I love you Ian.
     (and I desparately miss you)
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Just for those who are curious. The number seven in the Bible is one of the most powerful numbers and stands for spiritual perfection and fullness or completion. Google it. Very interesting.
Just one such instance: The number seven symbolizes God's perfection, His sovereignty and holiness. God created earth - seven days; One seven-day week is a reminder of our creator; God blessed the seventh day, making it holy (Exodus 20:8-11).






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