June 18th Appointments

According to CAFCA and Dr. Chaves, Adriana's heart looks the same and is pumping beautifully. It's still "wait and see how the right ventrical functions after birth". However, she's growing at a faster rate than before!  Previously, she was in the 20-35% range for size, and now she's 51%--measuring 4 pounds and 4 ounces!  I'm looking forward to her arrival and it can't come soon enough! 

All Things Happen For A Reason

I found this story while doing some research for Adriana.  I'll warn you ahead of time--it's a bit emotional.  But somehow it's uplifting.  It's a story which depicts God carefully choosing parents for each child after much consideration.  Every year 25,000 couples become parents of children with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) and I hope that they read this--along with other parents with special needs children.  We hope to live up to the standards of this narrative.

*  *  *

"Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint, Matthew. Forrest, Michael,
daughter, patron saint, Cecilia. "Rudledge, Carrie and Adam, twins, patron saint, give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

Finally, he passes two names to an angel and smiles, "Give them a special needs child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? They're so happy."

"Exactly," says God. "Could I give a special needs child to parents who do not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But have they patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want them to have too much patience or they will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, they'll handle it.

"I watched them today. They  have that feeling of self and dependence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother and father. You see, the child I'm going to give them has his own world. They has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think they even believe in you."

God smiles. "No matter. I can fix that. These two are perfect. They have just enough selfishness. "

The angel gasps, "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If they can't separate themselves from the child occasionally, they'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman and a man whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. They don't realize it yet, but they are going to be envied. They will never take for granted a 'spoken word.' They will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When their child says 'Momma' for the first
time, they will be present at a miracle and know it!

"I will permit them to see clearly the things I see . . . ignorance,
cruelty, prejudice . . . and allow them to rise above them. They will
never be alone. I will be at their side every minute of every day of their life, because they are doing my work as surely as they are here by my side."

"And what about their patron saint?" asks the angel, pen poised midair.

God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."