Back in December 2009, Amy and Chip told our family they were going to have a baby. Who knew back then the long journey they’d have in front of them? As if the nine-month journey of pregnancy – swollen ankles, morning sickness, hormones, oh my – followed by years of diapers, temper tantrums, adolescent angst isn’t generally enough! If this makes me sound like I never want to have kids, don’t fear. For every “challenge” I just listed I could throw in a dozen amazing things. Not the least of which is the awesomeness of a baby’s smile. And has there ever been a cuter smile than this?
But Amy and Chip’s – and Ollie’s – journey has included challenging and oftentimes scary side roads. This spring, when their doctor discovered Ollie’s heart defect and probable Down Syndrome, the hearts of all of us who love Amy and Chip were understandably heavy. We rejoiced on the day of Ollie’s birth – June 21 – but soon after huddled in prayer when Ollie was life-flighted to Kansas City. First Ollie underwent a surgery to fix his pinched aortic arch, then later, much to the surprise of his medical team, survived a surgery to place a band around his pulmonary valve. Weeks later, he received his trach and GT tube. And next spring he’ll need surgery to fix his AV canal.
Ollie’s story, truly, is one of miracle after miracle, answered prayer after answered prayer.
Today, as I type, Ollie is on his way home to Wichita. Hooray!! If I had a cheerleading uniform and pom-poms, I’d be jumping up and down, rah-rahing my little nephew to no end. As it is, never being the cheerleading sort, instead I’m mentally dancing in happiness. I’d dance for real, but I’m not really the Ginger Rogers sort either. (Though, thanks to the inspiration of Susan May Warren’s MBT dance, I’d like to be. Dance lessons anyone?)
I am thrilled. Overjoyed. Ridiculously excited. Only one teensy (selfish) piece of me resists this latest happiness – the piece that mourns the six-hour drive from Des Moines to Wichita. Why, oh why, did I never follow through on my plan to take flying lessons? (And marry a rich man so I could buy my own plane and afford the rent on bunker space.)
But selfishness and crazy urges to pick up and move down to Wichita aside, I just couldn’t help writing about Ollie tonight…and how his life has impacted me. I’ve been inspired by the calm and perseverance of Amy and Chip. I’ve seen Ollie endure discomfort, constant poking, one irritant after another…and still, he smiles, he watches what’s happening around him with wide-eyed interest. I’ve watched my parents (Ollie’s grandparents) sacrifice time – especially time together – as Mom stayed with Ollie during the week and they made repeated trips to Kansas City. I’ve seen medical staff go above and beyond to care for Amy and Chip’s (and, may I be so bold as to claim, our whole family’s) little treasure.
Most of all, I’ve seen God’s constant faithfulness at work.
You know, there are things I don’t “get.” I don’t get why Ollie was born with a heart defect – two actually – and Down Syndrome. I don’t get why some babies never get to leave the NICU. I don’t get why other sad losses have come our family’s way, and also dear friends, in the past year.
But I do get this: God is faithful to begin what he started…always. And what he started in Ollie is a beautiful life, one overflowing with purpose and endurance. One I am so excited to be a part of, even if from a six-hour-away distance.
Philippians 1 prayer for Ollie (from The Message): Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart…There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it…
Comments 3
Wonderful news, Melissa. And you’re right, Ollie’s smile is one in a million. Joy, joy, joy!
Dancing right along with you, my friend. And you’re right–Ollie’s smile is oh-so-adorable!!
Oh is he cute! I’m doing the happy dance with you and your family!