Silas was born about six weeks after my friend Laura’s son Truman was born. During our pregnancies we talked about baby names and the excitement of having little boys again. Truman would be her second son, after four sweet little girls in a row! Silas would be my first baby boy in eight years. We were excited! Between the business of life in general and the fact that Laura is a long distance friend, it had been awhile since we talked when I happened upon a Facebook update one evening a little over a week ago, with the first words being that Truman drowned last week. I literally screamed and the tears came fast. No God, please no. It took me a minute to process the fact that not only had he drowned, but he had been revived by EMS. I sent hurried emails to Laura and friends promising our prayers to Laura, and begging friends to join me. I debated posting here, but ultimately, you guys are one of my biggest sources of support, and I wanted to share that with Laura’s family. (Thank you. Your words and prayers meant so much and continue to.) Laura sent me an email describing the absolute terror of what happened the day Truman drowned. He drowned in a five gallon bucket filled with only a few inches of water to hold tadpoles. Her older kids had been using it and Laura wasn’t even aware of its presence. I thought to myself, I think we’ve got a bucket like that around here somewhere. And sure enough we did, right next to the house. A few inches of murky water with tadpoles swimming around in it. Enough water to drown a baby, sitting next to my house. And while we moved it the next day, it had been there for months. What gripped me was not necessarily a feeling of “what if…” although I did find myself pulling extra blankets out of Silas’ crib thinking he might tangle himself in them. No, I didn’t really look at Silas thinking that it could have just as easily been him. The makings of tragedy are everywhere if you are looking for it, and living life while trying to keep tragedy out is impossible. I was struck more with the truth that life is so precious and fragile. I hate to be cliche, but truly, life is a gift. What gripped me tightly was grief for my friend and her husband. Laura’s words describing what it was like to see her baby lying there dead. The hysteria that Cameron arrived home from work to (he’s an ob/gyn so actually in the medical field) as EMS was trying to revive Truman, saying that things didn’t look good for him. And they knew in that instant that all they could do was fall to their knees and pray. Their baby was dead and they begged God’s mercy. And that is what hit me hard, the image of them, the raw truth in that moment. In the days that followed Laura was able to share what happened beautifully and continued to trust God for Truman’s life. She spoke the truth when she said “there are no coincidences.” But the greatest truth of all, that no matter the outcome, God is good.
There’s a little prayer that I’ve prayed for years that goes something like this, “Oh Jesus of meek and humble heart, make my heart like unto Thine.” Sometimes I find myself so focused on myself and this illusion that I am in control that I wonder if my prayers will ever be answered. But they are when I am least expecting it. And that humbling of heart that I ask for, it doesn’t come in easy doses when it comes. It comes in the face of tragedy turned triumph at the hands of God. This week humbled me nearly to silence. Joining my friends in prayer from afar, begging God to heal and restore their son, their son who was dead but is now alive and making a miraculous recovery. Oh my, there is humility in that and just writing these words makes my heart race with it.
And so with all this heavy on my heart in a good way, we celebrated Silas’ first birthday on Friday last week. And while I was acutely aware of the gift that he is to our family on a level I am not sure I have experienced before, the celebration was completely typical. I stayed up well past midnight the night before working on his birthday crown before giving up and going to bed. I finished it during Si’s nap on his birthday a few minutes before our company arrived. The girls “helped” Silas open his gifts and then “helped” him play with them. It was a good birthday. It was a thankful birthday.
(Silas received a little messenger bag that I am hoping he will learn to fill with little things he picks up…sticks, stones, whatever. He also received this punch and drop
And from the grandparents, a wagon!!
p.s. Since a birthday dress would have been a silly choice for Silas, I made him birthday pants! They are the quick change trousers from Handmade Beginnings
p.p.s. I have to thank my friend who brought her gang over to make Silas’ birthday extra special. She even did all the hard stuff like cutting up watermelon (I hate cutting watermelon) and making sure that all the children received plates with even quantities of fruit and whipped cream! Thank you Lisa!
He is such a bright and beautiful boy Ginny 🙂 I love his little felt crown!
Tears came to my eyes again reading about little Truman.
Nola was born only a week after Truman. We were also collecting tadpoles in a bucket the a couple of weeks ago and the bucket is in a corner of the garden Nola is always playing in. I have been so incredibly moved by this families sincere faith. It has strengthened my own faith.
We have prayed and prayed for that little boy. I simply cannot imagine such a thing happening, it is beyond words.
Ginny, you have this amazing way of articulating the thoughts that are floating in my head but that I’m unable to (or haven’t taken the time and effort to) pin down and wrestle into order. Thank you.
Praise the Lord for Truman’s recovery! He truly is good and beyond measure. And happy birthday Silas. You said it, God is good.
Happy Birthday Silas… Love the pants, Ginny!
Happy Birthday, sweet Silas! How did that year fly by so fast?! I love his crown and his bag and a wagon is such a perfect present for a little boy with big sibs to tow it.
I, too, am so overwhemingly grateful for dear Truman’s recovery. Yes, life is truly a precious gift. But in some ways the ability to see it as such, which you so beautifully do, is equally as great a gift.
Happy Birthday to your dear Silas, Ginny.
I am so happy that Truman is recovering, I have been praying for him and his family and hoping so very much that he would make it through. What a miracle!
Blessings
Linda
That’s amazing! I’m glad your friends son is recovering. Also can’t believe that Silas is one already. He was born about the same time my son was born. We celebrated two years this weekend, and five for my other daughter.
Happy Birthday Silas! What wonderful photos to remember the day!
We have been following Truman’s recovery since your post, truly a miracle.
xoxo
~ joey ~
What a great first birthday party. I love Silas’ birthday crown you made for him!
LOVE the first picture. That is what I was hoping it would look like!
You are a good friend Ginny and Truman’s prayer angle..lucky boy!!
Loved the day, loved the birthday boy, loved the visit!!
Lisa
Wow. I regularly follow Lisa’s blog and it is so cool to see your lives are intertwined. Blessings to your family; that crown is adorable.
I wanted to thank you for posting the link to Laura’s family blog – as since that post we too have been praying for them, along side another family in a similar type of struggle that actually happened on the same day. By sharing your connection with your dear friend others (myself included) have been able to witness God’s grace in a truly profound way through the Mouro Family. Faith in God is obviously deeply rooted in their family and is being lived out in a truly beautiful way… by you sharing your friendship you have given us an example to live by. So thank you and enjoy the one year milestone– it goes by way to quickly.
Happy birthday Silas!!!
So happy to hear that Truman is in recovery, been sending thoughts and prayers.
happy birthday little Silas! I can’t believe it has been a year already! He certainly is a precious gift!
Silas looks regal in his birthday crown and those birthday pants are perfect for the occasion. I have been praying for Truman since you first post. I truly believe that when many are praying that good things happen.
AWWW! happy birthday big boy! He is growing so fast!
Oh thank goodness! It’s crazy how this mama-hood makes our hearts so big. When you hear about something happening to a child anywhere, you imagine your own and the prayers just come unbidden.
And a happy birthday to Mr. Silas too!
Yes, our prayer do come answered in odd ways…difficult ways at times…and the only thing we are left with, is the choice to trust…that we will always be taken care of and shown the way, even when it doesn’t match the ones we may have made up in our minds. I just got handmade beginnings…and cant wait to make some of those pants!
:)Lisa
What a beautiful post. Read it with tears in my eyes…
Where, o where, did that messenger bag come from??? So adorable! I have a little boy turning one in two months. I may just have to order that book! Silas’ pants are awesome!
It’s so cute isn’t it! The Etsy seller I bought it from doesn’t have anything in her shop anymore, but maybe she’d take a special order? http://www.etsy.com/shop/juliebsmiley I bought a cute little handmade backpack for Beatrix from her too.
I’m leaving for Ethiopia this Saturday and yet, I’ve thought and prayed for Truman constantly. It’s hit me hard that I’ve had hazards like that all around all my babies. It’s the things that you don’t even think of that are hard for me to process.
So glad you is doing well!
Jenny
I can’t believe he is already one! Oh my, time sure does fly…
Your photos are wonderful, and your sentiments are echos of my own heart. Truly, there are no coincidences and God is indeed good. Why bad things happen to good people is the greatest stumbling block in understanding His goodness. But that is because we can’t see the Big Picture. One day perhaps we will, when we are with God, and all will make sense, but for now we can only trust.
I’ve been praying for Truman. So awesome to hear he is recovering. Love to you and your little ones. & Happy Bday Silas!
Happy Birthday! So thankful both boys are doing well!
Happy birthday to Silas! I have been holding Truman and his family in my heart and prayers and I’m so happy to hear of his recovery. Wishing Truman’s family and your family many more wonders in the days, weeks, and years to come.
(And P.S. I am glad that I am not the only mama who stays up late trying to finish gifts the night before they need to be given. Some year, I’ll have a relaxing Christmas Eve…)
Happy Birthday sweet Silas! Can’t believe a year has passed by so quickly!
oh this made me cry. a lot.
happy birthday silas!
I have been following Truman’s recovery since the request for prayer was made and I am always amazed by grace and miracle and prayer.
Happy birthday Silas! Your birthday pants are rockin’!
Happy birthday Silas!
Ever since I read your account on Truman’story I find myself being thankful for every day with my boy. He’s 20 months… I’ve been trying to say a prayer, to send a thought. I’ve just read on the Mouro family blog how he is recovering and indeed I feel it’s a miracle… So is everyday with my son.