Eight Years Ago

This picture is a precious one to me.  Luke was such a little guy, just four months old - a real cutie.

But it's more precious because it's the first picture that I have of Stephen and Luke after Stephen's surgery.

Family and old friends remember the time when Stephen fell ill and ended up having brain surgery (twice).  But I imagine most of the friends we've made in the more recent years aren't aware of it at all - because, praise God, he's made a full recovery.

And he even managed to get into (and out of) law school in the years since, to say nothing of passing the Bar exam!

I missed the anniversary of the seizure that alerted us to the problems last month, and I missed the anniversaries of the actual surgeries earlier this month, but today is the 8th anniversary of the helicopter trip back to the ER after his surgery.

So I'm remembering that night and giving thanks to God for preserving Stephen, for preserving our family.

I can't say that I look back on those days and weeks with fondness, but I do look back with thankfulness because God was so kind to us not only in giving Stephen a full recovery, but in giving us so many friends and family members who helped us practically and prayed for us faithfully.