Flashback

We had the photographer from the Herald come by this morning to take the picture for the Thanksgiving feature they're doing on the girls/us. We get to meet with the Editor tomorrow (she's doing the story since she did the one six years ago), so we'll be anxious to see how it comes out. Good news - the girls slept later today than they've slept in over a week. That's not to say they slept late, but they did make it to almost 7:00.

Now for the flashback. I've been listening to KLOVE lately and have come to love the Christian music they play. I heard a song this morning that I had heard parts of before and had even read all the lyrics before, but I'd never actually heard the whole song. The title of it is "He's My Son" and Mark Schultz sings it. If you've never heard this song, you're missing out. Get out the kleenexes. Here are the lyrics:

I'm down on my knees again tonight

I'm hoping this prayer will turn out right.

See there is a boy that needs Your help

I've done all that I can do myself.

His mother is tired

I'm sure You can understand.

Each night as he sleeps

She goes in to hold his hand .

And she tries not to cry

As the tears fill her eyes .

CHORUS: Can You hear me?

Am I getting through tonight?

Can You see him?

Can You make him feel all right?

If You can hear me

Let me take his place somehow.

See, he's not just anyone

He's my son.

Sometimes late at night I watch him sleep.

I dream of the boy he'd like to be.

I try to be strong and see him through

But God who he needs right now is You.

Let him grow old

Live life without this fear.
What would I be Living without him here?

He's so tired and he's scared.

Let him know that You're there.

It's a good thing I was alone in the car when I heard the whole thing because I was a bawling mess by the time it was over. I know the pain in this song. It brought back memories of sitting at Addie's (primarily, because she was so sick for so long) isolette with tears welling up and begging God to give me her pain. I can identify with holding the child's hand and praying that God will let her rest without fear or pain. I prayed the chorus myself many times, long before I ever heard the song. Good grief, I can't even read the lyrics now without crying. Maybe I'd better just stop here!

Looking back, though, those painful memories have made me more compassionate and more understanding. I have so many things for which I am thankful. I am very thankful that while we've had sick kiddos for the last week, they have only an illness that will pass and pass quickly. I am so thankful that they are normal healthy kids now with no lingering effects from such a rocky beginning. Six years ago that was my prayer. I just wanted them to be healthy and happy. Those prayers were answered.