Broken Wing

 

I still vividly remember--this time three years ago--when Daniel broke his arm. The full details of the story can be found in the book.

He was having so much fun playing and being a kid that he barrel-rolled right off my Mom ("Bubba") and Dad's bed. And practically landed in Bubba's lap, while she and Madi were sitting on the floor watching a DVD.

The mystery was how he fractured the elbow that he hadn't landed on. We suspect that maybe his little arm hit the bed frame on his way down.

Like every obstacle that he encountered, Daniel handled a weekend full of hospital visits like a true champion. Instead of crying and complaining, he was completely fearless. Almost as if he viewed his broken limb as a rite of passage into boyhood.

It was one of the many valuable lessons that my son taught me. Because Daniel was able to truly find joy in the most trying times. He was able to "get over" things so quickly and move on, all with a smile on his precious little face.

Who knew that someday we'd be thankful for his injury, because it gave us more time with him. And now, our angel's wings will never be broken again.

 

Family Christian Stores

Before Christmas, I began calling our local branch of Family Christian Bookstore to see if I could show them the book.  Of course, Christmas is the busiest season for a Christian bookstore, and I realized that my timing was not likely "ideal."  

The store's manager (who I'll call "Dana") sounded open to the idea of a book signing in the future and indicated that there is another local author who has done signings there in the past. But she did ask me to call back after the new year.

When I called in January, the new year turned out to be a hectic time too, as the store sorted out their inventory for another season. I knew that I needed to just get in there and meet this manager face to face. With a copy of my book in hand.

I took a chance and stopped by a couple of weeks ago, but as Murphy's Law would have it, I chose the one day that Dana was off duty that week. 

On Tuesday, I decided to call and secure a "right time" to stop by this week, and Dana told me she'd be there from 11:00 a.m. until closing on Friday.  Sweet. Progress. 

There was no way that I wasn't making a trip to that store today.

I pulled into the parking lot and prayed to the Holy Spirit before I left my van. I walked into the store and shopped around a bit, while I attempted to size up the situation. I don't get out much, so I soak up every opportunity to browse when I have the chance. 

Finally, I felt the time was right to approach Dana, who (of course) was busy, but I didn't let that ruffle my feathers as I calmly introduced myself to her. Once she remembered who I was, Dana also remembered that I was supposed to bring her a copy of the book. I pulled it out of my purse and briefly told her our story.

I watched her facial expression totally change as she scanned the cover and listened to my synopsis. 

"You know...we have a heart for orphans and widows here," she said.

"I know," I replied, as I hung on, clinging for more.

I only knew because the last time I'd visited the store, I had inquired about their "James Fund" banners which hung throughout the store. That's when I learned that Family Christian announced, in November, that it has partnered with a group of Atlanta-based Christian businessmen.

Under the new ownership, Family Christian's pledge is to contribute 100% of its profits to ministries serving widows and orphans both in the U.S. and abroad. 

Isn't that amazing?  If that's not a perfect fit for Daniel's story, I don't know what is.

Dana kindly accepted the book and asked me if she could take a week or so to review it. She took time to make sure that With an Open Heart is in their system (Praise the Lord, it is) and we shared a few brief minutes to explore the possibilities of a book signing coordinated with an effort to promote adoption and orphan sponsorships through World Vision.

Can I tell you how satisfying and heartwarming it would be to participate in such an event? Can you even imagine?  It would obviously be, in Daniel's memory, quite meaningful.

Could you please take a minute to pray that Dana is touched by Daniel? And that her heart is open to our message of faith?  

Your prayers would truly mean the world to us:)

the YMCA

Several months back, when the book was first released, I mentioned our story to Peggy, the Executive Director of the YMCA, and gave her my card. I wanted her to know that the YMCA was a memorable part of our time with Daniel. As I mention in the book, Daniel loved our Mommy & Me class together, and he had quite the fascination with bubbles.

I didn't hear from Peggy over the next several months, nor did I see her, but I kept thinking that I'd run into her again eventually, and I trusted in the Holy Spirit to connect us when the time was right.

Which finally happened yesterday. As I was pedaling an exercise bike, I began thinking about fundraising efforts, and as I formulated a plan, I saw her out of the corner of my eye.

When I finished my workout, I hoped that she hadn't left for lunch. I was relieved to find her by the front desk, and I reintroduced myself.

"You just crossed my mind just the other day," Peggy said. She almost sounded surprised to see me. "I found your card and thought of you, because we are having a prayer breakfast in March where people will share their stories of faith." 

Thank you, Jesus.  I am so happy and appreciative of any opportunity to share our baby boy and our faith testimony. Peggy is going to speak with the coordinator of the prayer breakfast, and hopefully I'll be in the lineup.

I also asked Peggy if I could display a book at the front desk, accompanied by a sign that we will make a donation to the YMCA for each book purchased there. 

She graciously said "Yes."  And it is so nice to see Daniel's little face in the YMCA once again:)

Five

The first words out of precious daughter's mouth this morning, with barely open eyes and arms stretched to the Heavens, were "Happy Birthday, Daniel!"

He would have been five years old today.

It is so hard to imagine what he'd be like...or what he'd be doing. I wonder if he'd have the same free-willed and crazy spirit that his little brother has?  Or would he have the determined, yet thoughtful demeanor of his big sister?

Somehow I feel at peace that we will always remember our son as the incredibly sweet little two-year old child that he was.  Etched in our hearts as an innocent and kind soul who just wanted to soak up the experience of life...and love.

It is a beautiful day here, a bright blue sky with puffy white clouds scattered about and a cool breeze blowing. It is a perfect day to celebrate our angel's life, both here on earth and in Heaven.

Happy birthday, Daniel!  We love you:)

an account closed, a door opened

I had another one of those amazing God-incidences today.

Last fall, I opened up an account through Stamps.com, so I could ship books directly from the house.

I didn't realize, at the time, that there is a monthly fee involved. It's not much, but it's a cost that I can't justify right now with my stay-at-home mom status and Jimmy's new real estate career, so I decided to close the account.

When I called them today, I felt an instant connection with the representative who answered.

His name was Daniel.

He was attentive, kind, and even waived last month's fee for me.

I couldn't help but mention, at the end of the call, that I had taken note of his name right at the beginning of our conversation, and that I had written a book about our son, Daniel, who is now in Heaven. 

And then he tells me that he, too, had a son named Daniel.

Who is also in Heaven. 

In complete awe, we shared our son's stories. His Daniel passed away many years ago as a one-year old baby. He was a precious little preemie who suffered from lung issues.

"He struggled for a while, but he just couldn't get to where he needed to be," he said.

And I couldn't help but cry out, "He did get to where he needed to be!"

Oh yes indeed, I believe those babies are exactly where they need to be...in the loving arms of Jesus. It just wasn't how or when--as parents--we'd planned that they'd get there.

This loving father shared how deeply he was touched by his son's brief life, and that he was so thankful for the experience that God had given him.

And here the Holy Spirit put us together on a phone call today.  Just to meet--for a brief time--and share our similar bond of our angel babes who watch over us.

Had I not been prompted by the Holy Spirit to mention Daniel, we would have hung up that phone without ever knowing that we shared such a blessed connection.

These are the encounters that blow me away. Those pieces of the puzzle that God puts together in our lives and unite us in His love.

Daniel Days

I call these my "Daniel Days."

Because this month is pretty much when it all started.  God prepared our hearts in the month of January to receive our beautiful son on January 24th, 2010. The month was spent feverishly nesting, planning, and packing for travel to China, 

all while our love for a son we'd never met kept growing and growing.

Three years ago today, we were united with him. I can still vividly remember my emotions at the time...as if it was just yesterday. My fear and uncertainty all blended together with excitement and pure joy. The closer I got to that moment when Daniel was placed into my arms, the more God poured His strength into me so that I'd handle our union with grace and unconditional love. 

Although we knew of Daniel's serious heart condition, we weren't expecting to welcome a sick child into our arms. And oh my heart...our baby was so sick. My Mama bear claws came out without warning, as I clutched Daniel in my arms and immediately came to his defense as his Mom. 

Forever his Mom.

Tonight, Jimmy and I will watch our Gotcha Day videotape footage, we will revisit our trip to China, we will embrace and treasure every memory of our sweet beginnings with Daniel, and we shall surely shed a tear...or maybe a few more.

Daniel, you are eternally present in our lives, son...forever etched in our hearts.

Happy Gotcha Day, Angel boy:)

Belong

Our Aunt Diane has been busy sharing Daniel's story up in New Smyrna Beach.  She is part of a Catholic women's group in her parish called "Belong."

Last week, I received a phone call from the group's leader. She asked me all about the book, and we had a wonderful (and emotional) conversation. Our call ended with an invitation for me to come speak at one of their group luncheons.

And the opening that's available for me to speak?  I will be sharing Daniel's story at their Mother's Day luncheon in May:)  I am so excited for the opportunity to talk about our precious angel with these women!

As an added bonus, I get to drive up the night before and spend time with Aunt Diane and Uncle Rick!