Bless his Heart

September is drawing to a close but not without me remembering all that the month holds in my heart. First there's Autumn. Now, the Fall Season wasn't always my first love, oh there was a time when I was a summer girl through and through, but being born in October eventually you just gravitate to all of Autumn's greatness. 

The boys of Fall, Football has always been my favorite sport to watch. I spent many Sunday's with my Dad as an assistant to the arm chair quarterback. As a Mizzou Graduate (winning season or not) there is nothing like a Saturday afternoon in COMO tailgating before a Tiger game. Now days I seem to be cheering on a new player #99 for the Class of 2032 Southern Boone Eagles, my Grandson Anderson. I get to witness his love for the sport. hard work and growth as a player. Not to mention the incredible memories he is making with his Dad as his Coach. 

My gratitude for September also comes in the way of Birthdays for three very important people in my life.  My Grandson Bentley, my one and only Granddaughter Hallie, and my Daughter Jami. So much happiness comes from their laughter, wit and love. 

While I have countless blessings around celebrating their Birthday there is another September day that strikes me with deep gratitude and thankfulness each year. See we celebrate Bentley's Birthday on  September 9th but we truly celebrate his Heart on September 28th. 

Bentley started his life on his own terms entering the world after a grueling 24-hour labor and delivery, he came into the world fiercely but his oxygen levels began dropping so he was taken to the NICU at the Women and Children’s Hospital at the University of Missouri. Agonizing and scared his parents stayed by his crib, while his family visited and rejoiced his arrival but eagerly waited for answers to come.  

Eight days later I would receive those answers in a text message from my son, they were intubating my youngest grandson. Frantic we drove to the hospital, Bentley's entire family crowded in a dark waiting room. Grandparents and Aunts took turns going in and out of the NICU consoling his young parents and watching helplessly as Doctors and Nurses struggled to keep him alive. 

Many things about that evening are a blur but what stands out vividly is the fight that was in our baby to live, the determination of a Traveling Nurse and Cardio Specialist to get him transport to St Louis, and an unknown man that came in at our darkest hour had us hold hands in a circle and pray. He prayed a prayer so raw that when we all let go of one another's hands we knew the will was far beyond our own and it was not in our power how this night would end.  

After transport malfunctions and head surgeons trying unsuccessfully to insert a central line he was sedated and life-flighted to Barnes-Jewish Children’s Hospital in St. Louis.  Upon arriving the team was able to stable his condition but kept him sedated. Numerous tests and observations confirmed Bentley had a coarctation of the aorta (blocked aorta) and a hole in his heart. So many emotions ran through me especially thinking about his parents and what was suppose to be the joyous birth of their first child had traumatically turned into helplessly watching and wondering if they would ever get to hold him their arms again. His sweet Momma, days from a C-section curled in a chair unable to sleep or even breathe. Crowded waiting rooms with so many people all together with one common goal, seeking healthy hearts for their loved ones. God and love had gotten him this far and so together we gathered in a waiting room the early morning hours and awaited updates on Bentley the Braves fate as he underwent open heart surgery. 

I jotted this down the evening of September 28, 2015

"Tonight as I head to bed after an emotion filled day I am mostly full of gratitude. While some days I am flustered as fall sets in and I commute both ways in the dark, today I was touched by the beauty of both the sunrise and sunset as we traveled to and from St Louis. While sometimes Monday's seem hard to head back to the office, I could not shake the thought that someone's Monday consisted of literally holding my grandson's tiny heart in their hands and skillfully and intricately repairing it to give him life. I am grateful to everyone who took the time to say a prayer or checked in and cheered us on today and I am reminded that although we may all not have the skills of a great surgeon in each of our own ways we can make a difference in people's lives. You have made a difference! Sleep tight my friends and sweet Bentley."

Today Bentley is your typical 7 year old, he celebrated his Birthday with balloons, cake and gifts. He was surrounded by his Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins, there was laughter and there was joy. He loves Legos, Jurassic Park, video games, cats, his family and life.  He doesn't think much about the day he became a zipper club member but I still look to the heavens and say a prayer every time I hear a Life Flight fly over head and I still don't take for granted all the prayers and thoughts that were lifted up for our family. This September I have loved watching him take on the title of Big Brother to his new healthy sibling. To look at Bentley you would never know his story or his brave start but for me September will always hold his heart and in turn mine and all it's gratitude for his chance to thrive. 

Keep Living in Grace,

Michele