My angel turns 5!!!

[2000stanggirl]

My son's birthday is tomorrow. He technically turns five 16 minutes after midnite tonite. This is my tribute to him.

On this day, five years ago, I began a journey that was never planned. Brayden entered this world 3 months too soon, with little more than an angel on his shoulder. The doctors didn’t give much hope for this tiny fallen bird. Thanks to an army of angels, his first birthday rolled around. He was still a very sick little boy, but always happy, and had finally learned to smile. Three years ago we celebrated a second birthday with bittersweet emotions. Again, the doctors were not holding much hope that he would survive much longer. He was getting increasingly more ill as days went by. By this time, most of his tiny organs were failing. The army of Angels stepped in once again, and pulled him to a third birthday! This was celebrated with far more hope and joy than the previous birthdays. Although still ill, he was getting stronger, and there was light at the end of the tunnel. Last year there was nothing but joy and pride as we celebrated this little miracle’s fourth birthday. He had come farther than anyone had even dared to expect. He was beginning to walk, just begun to talk, and was even eating orally! He was no longer on oxygen, he no longer had tubes and wires connected to him all of the time. It was as if he had arisen one bright morning, and decided, today is the day I get better. This birthday, his fifth, is met with nothing but awe, pride, and extreme happiness. He attends school with his able-bodied peers, he walks with assistance, he is learning independence, even getting upset when mom steps in to help with out being requested! He is getting stronger physically, and growing bigger every day.

When I stop and remember those bleak moments, it’s hard to accept that he is what he is today. Some credit me with his incredible survival; however, I must credit only two people. Brayden and the Good Lord. Brayden would not have survived any of his battles had it not been for his amazing will to live. At times when everyone else had given up, and expected the worst to happen, he always pulled through with a smile on his face. He has taught me the real meaning of life. If only we, as adults, could be as strong as this fragile little child, this world would be a much different place.

As I look at Brayden now, I see so many things. He’s no longer an infant. He is a little man, a warrior of sorts and has the battle scars to prove it. He goes about his daily life without a worry in the world. He doesn’t dwell on what he’s been through, and he looks forward to his daily therapies with enthusiasm. He loves school, making friends, and even spending time with his big brother. I always have to chuckle to myself when I find myself scolding the boys for fighting…who would have thought that the day would come that I would have to scold Brayden for something so typical and normal?? He is certainly growing into quite a mischievous little man, and for that I am so very thankful.

For the first time in his short little life, I am not afraid to have hope and dreams for him. I can actually look into the future and see him there. Not only is he there, but he is there as an independent, fully functional adult with a family of his own. I cannot put into words how that warms my heart. He’s come a long way, and he proudly marches onward, head held high, to the next battle he must fight. Happy fifth birthday, my little hero. Mommy loves you.