Yes, I know.
Two posts within 12 hours.
Don't fall over!
There's some pretty major stuff happening this week!
I want to tell you about my future son-in-law.
He's a pretty special kid.
A smile that will melt your heart.
Perseverance like a marathon runner.
A child of God.
Precious Bennett.
You may recall I wrote about my other son-in-law just after my brother's wedding.
This is his younger brother.
He and my 2 1/2 year old beauty are going to get hitched one day.
In Amy's own words as she was fiddling with my wedding ring:
"This is yours, right mommy?
Daddy gave it to you, right mommy?
That's okay. Bennett will give me one someday."
Bennett was born with DiGeorge Syndrome.
A bit of his 22nd chromosome was missing.
As a result, he has a heart defect,
a compromised immune system,
and other challenges.
Bennett is a survivor, though.
He made it past his 1st birthday.
Many thought he wouldn't.
Yesterday he endured a 16 hour long surgery on his heart and lungs.
I wish I could explain all that happened in the OR yesterday,
but since my tired mind can't fully comprehend it,
I'll repost what Bennett's mom wrote in his CaringBridge journal:
The best-case scenario is that he is able to repair the pulmonary vessels in both the right and left lungs and patch the hole (VSD) in Bennett’s heart and replace the RVOT (the connection between the pulmonary arteries and the right ventricle.
Needless to say, it was a lllloooooonnnnngggggg day for the sweet Harper family.
A long day far, far from home.
They had to leave the comforts and familiarity of the children's hospital in Atlanta
and travel to Palo Alto, California.
There was no one to hug them and keep them company as Valerie and Judd sat waiting
during the surgery.
No physical being, that is.
They were held and comforted by the One who will never leave them or forsake them.
Though the surgery was successful, Bennett still has a ways to go.
If you'd like to keep up with his journey and find specific prayer requests,
visit their CaringBridge site:
And, if you are a do it now kind of person,
would you consider giving blood in honor of Bennett?
Taken again from his journal, his parents ask:
Also, if you are so inclined, you could give blood in honor of Bennett. He will need between 6 and 7 units of blood and we are immensely grateful for the selfless donors who have literally given of themselves to save the life of a stranger. You can go to www.redcross.org and enter your zip code on the right side to find a donation location close to you. By donating, you are helping to save the life of someone you will never meet and who will never be able to thank you in person. However, I assure you that he or she would be eternally grateful for your sacrifice.
This probably won't register as significant to you, but it brings tears to my eyes to hear you refer to B as your future SIL. I remember when M was a newborn and I felt I couldn't do the typical newborn banter with my friends (prom date, husband, competing for the girl, etc) because, well, who would want to think that their daughter might end up going to prom with the kid who...
ReplyDeleteAnyway... love your heart, friend. And I can't stop praying for the Harper's. We spent M's OHS day alone in a waiting room too, but at least my bro and fiance were able to come over in the evening. It was awful going through that away from our home. Continuing to pray that Bennett recovers well.
Forgive me for posting this here, but try as I might I CANNOT find your email address.
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure meeting your husband and I look forward to meeting you! Thank you so much for your kindness and I'm so happy you liked the cross!!! We made them with love.
~cp