Embrace the Journey

This post was actually written originally a year ago. I had my baby boy Micah, and he was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. I sent this letter out to all my family and friends. It’s amazing to re-read this letter. Yes, it brings back tears and a flood of emotion. Since we celebrated Micah’s 1st birthday last week, I thought it would be good to remember. Look for following post on how we CELEBRATED Micah’s 1st birthday:)..nina    

  written Aug/Sept 2008

     On Aug 12th, a new journey began for our family. Micah Mitchell Ward was born at St.Joseph’s  hospital. He joined the other three M &M’s, Macie, Mason, and Merrick. Micah was supposed to be born Sept. 16th, but decided he wanted to get out early and meet his new family.  He was delivered by c-section and whisked off to the NICU unit where he would under go test which were normal for preemie babies. A few hours later, I was greeted by a team of medical staff standing at the foot of my bed. The news they brought me was that the journey I had experienced before with my other children, wouldn’t be the the same journey I would be taking with Micah. Shock and fear raced through my every being when they told me that Micah had Down Syndrome. I wasn’t prepared for this journey! I wasn’t strong enough for this journey! Why me for this journey? I’m so scared to make this journey. As I was starting to catch my breath, I was given the news that Micah had an AV Canal defect. Basically a very large hole in the middle of his heart that would need open heart surgery. At that moment I was transported to a place emotionally that I had never visited before. A place that took me off the path I knew. I couldn’t see the path that I would be walking on. I was in a forest of emotion. As a christian I was supposed to be strong and trust in God and his plan. Honestly, I thought at the time that my plan was better than his, and what was he thinking? The time came for me to see my baby boy. I immediately fell in love with this little almond shape eyed baby with oxygen tubes and feeding tubes. He was the most PERFECT baby! Over the past two months I have made my way to a clearing, and stepped on to the path that would lead m on my new journey. When I finally got  to the edge of the forest where the new path awaited, there was someone there to meet me…Abba Father, Jesus Christ. He picked me up and has been carrying me ever since. Micah has been in and out of nicu units here in Stockton, and the University of San Francisco for the past two months, and is scheduled for open heart surgery on Oct. 30. Robert and I will be living at the hospital from Oct 28th until he comes home. Although this will put a stress on our family life, we have been blessed with supportive parents and loving and self-sacrificing friends who will help us. I couldn’t have made it without them, or Robert. Robert is the most incredible husband and father. He has been our family’s rock through this all. Even though I have had to deal with feeding tubes, sleepless nights, nurses in and out of the house, trips out of town, appointments 2-3 times a week, cardiologist, pulmonary doctors, insurance, social workers, 3 case workers, gas prices and the list goes on, I can truly say from the depths of my heart, I AM BLESSED BEYOND MEASSURE! Life is good. God has a plan for Micah, and my family, and I am so , so glad that he chose us for such journey and blessing. I would not change Micah even I could. We are changed for the better, forever. I am now on a new journey filled with lots of unknowns, but, ” I will embrace the journey”, because it was the  journey I was destined and created to take. Embrace your journey, whatever God has for you. God will lead and carry you on the perfect path. Thank you for your prayers and support.  Jeremiah 29:11- For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

thank you and God bless , Nina and Family