Jackson's 1st Birthday...What a Day to Celebrate!!

Wow...to think that 1 year has already gone by when Jackson was born on December 5th, 2008. I remember the day like it was yesterday, a blessed day with the birth of a new child, yet at the same time the most helpless and afraid I have even been in my entire life. So many lows and what feels like absolute Mike Tyson punches to your gut...possibility of glaucoma, a very rare syndrome (M-CM...what is that?), hydrocephalus surgery, developmental delays, Chiari Malformation, Decompression Surgery....and the list goes on. What more does one beautiful little kid have to go through...really? Of course, it's hard not to feel this way...I mean J has gone through more pokes, prods, surgeries then someone will have in their lifetime.

Despite these hardships we refuse to take the woe is us attitude...why? Honestly, we are happy and so blessed as a family to have Jackson. Do I wish he could hold his head? Crawl? Eat regular food? Play on a sports someday? The answers to these questions is yes..yes..yes..and yes. However, he through the grace of God has taught us so much about how we live our lives, what things are important, how to treat other people, appreciation of things we took for granted in the past, and so much more. I have so much admiration and love for Jackson and those that are born with special needs. I have special prayers that God will work in the hearts of those that contemplate the abortion of children with special needs (90% abortion rate of children diagnosed with downs syndrome in the womb). I can tell you that Jackson is Perfect and has made Sherry and I better parents and ultimately better persons...Thank you God..

Happy Birthday Jackson from your entire family who loves and always will for who you are......my prayer for my son is that God continues to give him progression in his development, good health, and a fullfilled long life where his disabilities will be overshadowed by his ability to impact the lives of so many more people...NEXT FIGHT...January 4th, 2010...He'll Win...Not going to lose with the corner he's got. Stay Strong...Keep the Faith..