9th Anniversary and a Story

Two days ago marked the 9th Anniversary of Jed's death. Can any of you believe that much time has gone by? In one sense it seems like a lifetime, but in another, like yesterday.

There is very much still an ache in our hearts from having to be separated from him, but God is good.

I was thinking about what to say in this post and remembered this story...

   One Sunday at church, the children had gathered for their time of singing before Sunday school classes started. Jed was in there along with all the others, as well as a very special woman named Rose, who was Jed's teacher.
   Rose looked over at Jed at one point and realized he was crying. So she took him out of the room to see what was the matter. She asked him if he was uncomfortable or in pain, he said no. She then asked if it was the song they had been singing. (I believe that question was prompted by the Holy Spirit) He said yes. The song they had been singing was "God Answers Prayer". She then asked him if he felt like God didn't answer his prayers. He said yes.
   Rose then went on to explain that God does answer prayer, but that a lot of times He doesn't say "Yes". Sometimes He has to say "No" or "Wait".
   We appreciated so much how Rose first saw that Jed needed to talk and then she took his concerns seriously and took time to help him understand. I think that conversation had quite an affect on Jed through the rest of his life.

Scroll down a little to read the story about his lawn care business...

Jed's Birthday 'gifts'

We always like to get something to go in Jed's garden to remember his birthday and the day he left this earth.

For this birthday, we got a vine for one of our arbors, called Akebia, and a decorative rock.

We have another Akebia vine on our other arbor and it is very healthy!

Happy Birthday Jed!

Jed's birth to homecoming

Happy Birthday Jed! You would be 23 today. Ah, I can't believe it.

We miss you so much, but I know we won't be apart forever : )

This post is in honor of your Day.

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  When I was 3 years old my parents found out I was going to have a baby brother or sister. 

I knew it was going to be my brother and his name would be Jed. I remember saying that, and I have a recording of myself saying so. I was very excited. My parents, of course, were too.

    His due date was 8-8-88. August 8th, 1988. I would be 3 1/2 by the time he got here. Old enough to be a part of it and old enough remember when he came. Little did we know that he would come over three months before his due date.

 *

    Mom went in to full blown labor on May 9th at 27 weeks and they had to do an emergency C-section. He was born healthy, but too, too soon. The technologies of the day just weren't able to help him in the way they can help preemies now. We know of 24- and 25-weekers who are doing amazingly well.

*

    His lungs were underdeveloped, not ready to breathe air yet. His skin was transparent, not ready to be exposed to light, air, or touch. He was 2 pounds 8 ounces. But, God had seen to it that he was fearfully and wonderfully made. Even though he got off to such a rough start, his amazing little body was able to live, and begin to function.

*

This is such a classic picture. My mom checking out the chart to see what his stats are like, how his day has gone, if he has gained weight, and me being Sunny.

To me this was normal. I didn't know that most babies were brought home from the hospital the next day. It was just another visit to see my brother, washing my hands with those sponges with the brush on one side, and putting on hospital gowns. Seeing the tubes, hearing the sounds, not realizing the battle my baby brother was fighting.

Precious sisters! Always there for each other.

Off the ventilator after several months.

What a goofy grin...anyways, this cake was made by my Mom's mom, Guh,  to celebrate Jed's homecoming.

Welcome home Jed!

* The earliest pictures of Jed were made on Polaroids which I knew would not turn out well. So unfortunately, these will have to suffice. He did not look so good as that when he was newborn.