12 Sep HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUG!!
Wow, can you believe Keegan is ONE YEAR OLD TODAY??!?! Neither can we! I can’t tell you how hard and long I prayed that this day would actually come, and here we are! And Keegan is well and happy. What more could a mama ask for?
Keegan was born at 6:24am, and by this time in the day (almost noon) he had been at Children’s CVICU for almost two hours. Less than 24 hours after arriving there, he began the 10-hour surgery to try to repair his heart and end up on ECMO to survive. Less than 7 days after that, he would have a new heart.
This morning, he laughed as Gray and I sang “Happy Birthday” to wake him up. Then he had a fun game of finding his new climber/slide ready for him in the office. There are more presents to open this afternoon, and one of his favorite nurses at clinic had a huge, billboard birthday cake sign put in our front yard for his special day. Tonight he gets his favorite Double Dip frozen custard for dessert (but shhh, don’t tell him, or you’ll ruin the surprise)! 😉 We will post some birthday pictures here later tonight.
I wish I had something inspirational to say here, but the only thing that has been running through my mind is how blessed we are to have him, how lucky we are to be surrounded by such loving family and friends, how Keegan has changed all of us for the better, and most of all, how merciful and awesome our God is! What miracles He’s chosen to bring to our son and our family! We are certainly not worthy of his unending love, but He blesses us everyday despite our faults. He has seen us worthy to care for one of his true angels and miracles, and we can never thank Him enough.
When Keegan was in the hospital, I continually looked to Psalm 138, The Hymn of a Grateful Heart, which describes trusting in the Lord through the darkest times because of our salvation. Nothing seems more appropriate to leave you with today than this. Thank you for praying for Keegan, for sharing in our journey, and loving all of us so dearly. We are overjoyed to be able to share our miracle with each of you. THANK YOU!
I.
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart; before the gods to you I sing.
I bow low toward your holy temple; I praise your name for your fidelity and love.
For you have exalted over all your name and your promise.
When I cried out, you answered; you strengthened my spirt.
II.
All the kings of earth will praise you, Lord, when they hear the words of your mouth.
They will sing of the ways of the Lord: “How great is the glory of the Lord!”
The Lord is on high, but cares for the lowly and knows the proud from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of dangers, you guard my life when my enemies rage.
You stretch out your hand; your right hand saves me.
The Lord is with me to the end.
Lord, your love endures forever.
Never forsake the work of your hands!