Perspective

Warning:  This post is likely to bring you to tears, but hopefully will also make you appreciate the little things in your life.  My hope is that in reading this post, you will be thankful.

Often times I lose perspective of what's really important in life.  As a new Mommy, I am often overwhelmed by all of the responsibilities that I have upon my shoulders.  I am guilty of letting the little things stress me out and get me down.  I rarely take time to slow down and really enjoy all of the blessings that God has so graciously placed upon my life.  Last night, I got a big wake-up call.

To make a very long story short, a sweet family in my hometown of Marianna, FL was recently blessed with a beautiful baby boy in early September, just two weeks before our precious Kyndall was born.  Baby Owen was their first child and would soon live up to his nick-name "Little Warrior".  Ed and Jerica were informed prior to Owen's delivery that he would be born with a brain aneurysm.  Owen underwent more than 5 brain surgeries in his first few weeks of life.  The type of aneurysm that Owen has causes heart failure because all of the blood travels to the brain, since it is in distress.  This deprives the rest of his little body of the blood and oxygen that it needs.  Owen's heart failure began at just two days old.  However, on November 29th, Ed and Jerica were finally allowed to take their sweet baby boy home.  From what I understand, the doctors weren't even sure he would survive the ride home, from Shands to Marianna.  But he did and he continued to fight every single day.  Ed and Jerica searched the entire country for a doctor or hospital that could help their baby, but everyone turned them away saying there was nothing they could do but enjoy the time that they have left with baby Owen.  Shortly after coming home, Owen began having seizures, sometimes 20 or 30 a day.  But, Owen beat all odds and recently celebrated his 6 month birthday!  This tiny baby boy has brought the community of Marianna, FL together in a way that I have never seen.  This little miracle has impacted his friends, family and strangers alike.  Here is a quote from Jerica's blog: 

"I know without a doubt that I couldn't have carried this burden alone and if it weren't for my faith and relationship with God I don't know where I'd be right now.  Some may critizice me for publicizing so openly what has been going on with my son but I feel obligated to both protect my son with a blanket of prayers and to keep those prayer warriors updated with his progress.  Complete strangers have called, emailed, and mailed us cards to let us know they are praying for Owen and that comforts us so much.  Our pastor was on his way here to see us at Shands and ended up on the phone with a Florida Highway Patrol Dispatcher out of Tallahassee who asked what he was doing on the interstate.  He told her that he was headed to Shands to visit a couple from the church who had a child down there to which she replied "is it baby Owen?"  We have no idea who it may have been but she wanted us to know she was praying for us - and that's just one of the many stories we've heard.  I hope that Owen gives others a closer walk with God too."

I admire Ed and Jerica so much for their strength and their faith through all of this.  I keep up with Owen's progress via Facebook and not a day goes by that Jerica doesn't give thanks to God for the time they have been given with Owen.  They are not angry or bitter, but realize that Owen is a gift on loan to them from God.  They are taking it one day at a time and enjoying each minute they are given with their precious baby boy.  As bad as it sounds, I sort of cringe each time I check Jerica's Facebook page for the latest update.  I hope to read good news, but a part of me is always a little bit scared of what I might find when I read her post.  Last night my heart dropped when I read the following update on Jerica's Facebook page:

"It's so hard to write this but the time is coming very near for Owen to go be in Heaven with our Lord. We called in the family over the weekend and are spending this precious time loving on Owen. We thank you for your continued support and prayers for Owen and our family during this time."

Since reading that post last night, I haven't been able to get baby Owen off of my mind.  I've been checking back every hour for the latest update.  Just a few hours ago, Jerica posted this:

"The sweetest thing ever: Owen asleep on my chest safe & sound in my arms. In this moment my life is perfect. There is no sickness no sadness only us in this moment where my sweet son is sleeping with his mommy. Good night."

I know that God says that He will never give us more than we can handle, but I just cannot imagine being delt something like this.  I've encountered some difficult trials in my life, but nothing that compares to this.  I pray that I'm never faced with anything like this, but if I am, I can only hope that I have 1/2 the strength and faith that Ed and Jerica Ward have had throughout all of this.  They are such a testimony of God's peace and God's faithfulness. 

Coming back to my blog title, this has REALLY put things into perspective for me.  It has made me so thankful for the little things----even the ones that normally stress me out.  The things that I once saw as burdens, I now see as blessings.  I used to complain about the piles and piles of never-ending baby laundry and sink full of bottles that need washing.  Now I am thankful that in my arms, I am holding a beautiful, healthy baby girl who will wear those clothes and drink from those bottles.  I used to gripe and grumble each time my sleep was interrupted during the night to go in and soothe a fussy baby, or put in a paci for the 100th time that night.  Now I am thankful for those quiet moments in the middle of the night when I am able to bring comfort to my baby.  I used get very stressed out and uptight when Kyndall would spit up all over her newly changed outfit or her freshly changed crib sheets.  Now, I am thankful for that little bit of spit up because it reminds me that otherwise, I have a healthy, happy, thriving baby girl.  If a little bit of baby puke is the worst thing we have to face, we're doing pretty good!!  I could go on and on, but the bottom line is I have gained an entirely new perspective on life in general, but especially the little things.  None of us are promised tomorrow.  Take time to appreciate the little things.  I for one know that I will be spending less time worrying about the laundry or keeping the house clean, and more time enjoying the precious gift that God has given me in my daughter.  It's amazing that although I have never met baby Owen Wesley Ward, he has unknowingly changed my life for the better, and the lives of everyone around him.  Should Jesus choose to take him to Heaven, at least his parents can find comfort in the fact that their little miracle baby changed this world for the better in his short little life. 

Meet Baby Owen:

The day Owen finally got to go home from the hospital

First Valentine's Day

Please, please continue to pray for baby Owen.  We know that God is the great healer and He is still in the business of working miracles.  Afterall, it's a miracle that Owen has made it this far!  I hope to report back soon with good news about Owen's progress.

If you're interested, you can read Jerica's blog and learn more about precious baby Owen by clicking here. 

Hug your kids a little tighter tonight and be thankful for the little things!!

" In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸ Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." ~1 Peter 1:6-9