our little blessing

Our son Teak Joseph Head was born on October 28th, 2010. He has been a blessing in our lives even before he was born. We truly feel honored that the Lord chose both of us to be the parents of this special boy. Teak was born with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele and a minor hearing loss in both ears. Both un-related to each other. These are the curve balls of life. You never know when they are coming, you just keep your head up, step up and hit back with prayer, strength and love.
Welcome to our lives. Teak will one day change the world for the better just the way he has changed us.

Chosen

The Special Parents by Erma Bombeck

Did you ever wonder how parents of disabled children were chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over the earth selecting his instruments of propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"This one gets a daughter. The Patron saint will be Cecelia"
"This one gets twins. The Patron saint will be Matthew"
"This one gets a son. The Patron saint.....give them Gerard. He's used to profanity"
Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles. "Give them a disabled child".
The angel is curious. "Why them God? They are so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a disabled child to parents who do not know laughter? That would be cruel!"
"But have they patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want them to have too much patience or they will drown in a sea of sorrow and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, they'll handle it. I watched them today, they have that feeling of self and independence that is so necessary in parents. You see, the child I'm going to give them has his own world. They have to make him live in their world and that's not going to be easy."
"But Lord, I don't think they even believe in you."
God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. These ones are perfect - they have just enough selfishness."
The angel gasps - "Selfishness? is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If they can't separate themselves from the child occasionally they won't survive. Yes here is a family whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. They don't realize it yet, but they are to be envied. They will never take for granted a 'spoken word'. They will never consider any 'step' ordinary. When the child says "Momma" or "Dadda" for the first time they will be present at a miracle and will know it. I will permit them to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty and prejudice...and allow them to rise above these. They will never be alone. I will be at their side every minute of every day of their life because they are doing my work as surely as if they are here by my side."
"And what about their Patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid air.
God smiles "A mirror will suffice."