Dear Noah,
Two years ago, you were literally thrust into this world before you were ready as the result of an unfortunate car accident. You had no time to prepare for the challenges that awaited you. After being born five weeks early, you took up residence at the hospital neonatal intensive care unit as you fought the uphill battle to gain weight, learn how to suck, and how to eat. You needed a little extra help, which the doctors were able to provide you. I remember the day that you were finally released from the hospital to come home with your Mommy, Daddy, and brother, all who were so excited to finally have you in your own bed that we had so carefully prepared for you. We were all so very happy to finally be together.
But the challenges were not over; in fact, they were just beginning. You fought as your stomach consistently rejected food and forced you to endure so much pain and discomfort in your little form. Your Mommy and Daddy spent so many nights crying for you and praying that God would bring relief and healing to you; looking back, He was saying, “In My time.”
Yet when you smiled, it was like someone was lighting up the room with the brightest lights ever.
We had every conceivable test run to see if we could help you. Praise God—the rest of your body was working fine. You certainly perplexed us! But we loved you more than anything else in the entire world.
When you had an unfortunate run-in with an avocado and went back to the hospital, we knew it was time to move forward with an option that we thought we would be able to bury. God gave us the peace we needed to know that what was before us was ordained.
Shortly after your first birthday, you had a surgery that would change your life forever. For the first 10 days, you thrived and we saw a new baby—you must have felt it too. There was no pain, no vomiting, no screaming—just joy! You were so happy, all the time, and for the first time we thought that life was going to be oh-so-different.
Then came the uphill battle of having your body adjust. Day after day, hour after hour, your little frame suffered from the agony of dry heaving, but praise God, after a number of months God gave you relief—suddenly, the pain stopped. Yet through the pain and hours of therapy that still continue, you persevere and show the world the joy that can only come from the Lord.
Now, look at you: you’re learning to walk with your braces so well. When it hurts and you’re crying as you take those steps, you keep going. You’re eating little bites of mashed food with your mouth and watching us as we demonstrate how to chew. And the most joyous: your laugh! It is quite honestly the most infectious laugh I’ve ever heard, and Sammy makes you laugh the most. The two of you are best buds and your mom and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Noah, you have a sparkle in your eye and a zest for life, and you just go for it. I know God created you like this because He knew how much you’d have to endure. It’s hard to contain within this space the attributes of your personality and character that I simply adore. Mommy and I are so proud of you: for everything you have accomplished despite the many obstacles you have faced. How evident it is that the hand of Jesus is on your life, even at such a young age! We love you so much, and we have so much to be thankful for concerning you. You make our’s the happiest family ever.
God’s blessings to you, Noah Paul, as this year continues!
Posted by Mark