Happy Birthday, Hunter!

One wish. One hope. To have a child. Our lifetime dream came true last year on October 5, 2005, and our lives have never been the same. We have known happiness as a couple, but the happiness that our life was filled with after having a child is so much richer, so much deeper, and more fulfilling. It is truly a blessing from our loving and amazingly wonderful Father. And each time I look into my child’s face, my heart simply melts. He is so precious, and our amazement never ceases.

My son has taught me that the love a parent has for a child runs so deeply that the parent will move mountains for this child. Likewise, many times throughout my life, I have fallen in a spiritual sense, or I have been hurt deeply. And as many times as I have fallen or been hurt, my heavenly Father has been there to scoop me up, cuddle me, comfort me, love me, and whisper in my ear that it will be okay. I know I won't always be there for my son, but ... if my love for my son is so great, imagine the depth of the love my Heavenly Father has for him? And He will never leave him nor forsake him. He will be beside him even when I can't be.

As I teach my son to walk, I look down at him ... his tiny, pudgy hands in my adult sized hands, and I realize that he relies fully on me to be there for him. To hold him as he takes his first steps. To teach him how to coordinate his chubby legs with his awkward feet. But, I realize that one day, I will need to let go of those hands and let him become an independent young man. I will need to stand back and watch as he falls, and gets up on his own. But I know he won’t be alone, because his heavenly Father will be there for him, too. Holding his hand. Hugging him. Whispering words of comfort to his heart.

The greatest thing my son's birth has taught me is ... God still performs miracles. Today. Right now. Not just in the yesteryears of the Bible. Every day is a living, moving, ever-changing miracle for me. Each adorable, heart-capturing smile; each small crawl; each little hand clap; each hand wave; each splash in the tub; each tooth that pops through; each unsteady step taken with the confidence of a child that fears nothing. They are all miracles that God has given me to remind me of his grace and love for me.

I am so grateful that God chose me to be his mother, and not a day goes by that I don’t have an attitude of gratitude for him. Having been married for 14 years before our son arrived, we became accustomed to a fairly selfish lifestyle -- one that pleased us, and revolved around our own needs. Now, there is a helpless child that is a part of our lives. One that mesmerizes us, amazes us, and has captured our hearts. I have learned that I can no longer put myself first. I have learned a new meaning to being selfless, and have discovered the joy of just slowing down and enjoying my family.

Can someone please remind me of this if my son is still living in our home when he’s forty? Actually, we'll be 80, so that may not be a bad thing, huh?!



Son, we love you more than words can say, and one day, when you read this, know that your smile, the twinkle in your eyes, your little squeals of joy, your belly laughs, and the mere glimpse of joy on your face when you see us has made us ever so happy, with full hearts, and joy that knows no end. God has given you to us -- a miracle, indeed. We love you! Happy first birthday, son!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy