For the past 2 years now, I have forgotton one of the most significant “anniversaries” in my life.  June 5, 2000.  It was the day of Jake’s open heart surgery.  The day his heart was repaired.  The day he was given a new lease on life.  I remember it so clearly…handing him over to the nurse and just asking Jesus to be there with him and hold him because I couldn’t.  Seven hours went by….tick…tock….tick….tock.  It was probably the longest day of my life.  I didn’t know what was going to happen.  I didn’t know what God had in store for us.  All I knew was that if we didn’t do this surgery, he would die – and I knew I couldn’t face that.  Back then, I never thought the day would come when I didn’t think about his heart….worry about his heart.  And now, 8 years later, there are many days that go by when I don’t think about it – or if I do, it’s not with sadness or despair.  Jake jogged for 30 minutes in the Jog-A-Thon this year!  Would would have thought my little 3 pound “blue” baby would do that? God knew all along the plans he had for Jake.  He has been faithful to gently erase the horrible memories of that time in our lives, while reminding us on a daily basis just how blessed we truly are.   For a moment, when I looked at the calendar today and realized that I had forgotten, I felt a little guilty.  But, that quickly turned to praise – that we don’t have to think about it every day – and that we can just be “normal”.

June 5, 2000

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  ~ Jeremiah 29:11