2

This day sort of snuck up on us. Not that we didn't know it was coming. Even on the weekly shopping trip yesterday we bought fixings for the cake. But it was here way before we expected it to be. And a little over shadowed by Jeremiah's first day of second grade yesterday. And so, its here...now what? How do you plan to celebrate a birthday for someone who isn't around anymore? Its so hard. Especially since we never got to celebrate even one birthday with the little man. (He went into the hospital on his first birthday, which was a Wednesday, and never got to come home for the party, which would have been held the Sat after that.) Ezra James was born at 2:29pm on August 13th 2007. What a scary, hectic hour that was! I go into the ER at 1pm, not knowing I was in labor, just thinking something was wrong. To find out that I was nearly 9 cm dilated and there was no way to stop the labor or to prevent the delivery of a 30 week, 6 day old baby. He was so precious. We couldn't tell right away that something was wrong, other than the fact that he was so tiny (3 lbs, 6oz--not quite 16 inches long) and early and he needed help to breathe. We didn't expect what was to come.

But, that is not what today is about. Today is about our little man, who would be 2-years-old. We made a cake. We sang Happy Birthday. The kids drew sweet pictures for their little brother. We scattered some of his ashes among the "landscaping" on our front porch. We watched the little commemorative video we have of him, the one we showed at his memorials. We celebrated the privilege of knowing this amazing little soul for 1 year, 11 days. We thanked God for blessing our lives with him! And we praised Him for His faithfulness to deliver Ezra from suffering and giving Him eternal life in Christ Jesus! Ezra is healthy and happy with Jesus today. He is waiting to celebrate his first year of eternity in the glory of our Lord. What a lucky little boy!

Happy Birthday Ezra!

Cake


Birthday Pictures