Happy Birthday Son!

Calibration: what a great word!  The dictionary says it means “the checking of a measuring instrument against an accurate standard to determine any deviation and correct for errors.”

Eleven years ago today, I re-calibrated my life. This was the day my 4^th child was born.  After waiting for what seemed to be such a long time, Zachary was born during a full moon phase and in a very full St. Joseph’s hospital.   At 5:30pm I was holding a beautiful, well developed little boy, who was very skinny, but otherwise got a clean bill of health from the doctors.  That changed overnight.  The next morning, my son would be in NICU as specialists tried to find out why he was dying.

This story is a happy one, because today I am celebrating his 11^th birthday.  I like to retell his birth story because really, it was a rebirthing of our family as well.  His ordeal brought us all together in ways unimaginable.  His congenital defect that required hours of intricate “touch and go” surgery, strengthened my faith.  I truly felt held together spiritually by the prayers of many, families, friends, even strangers.   Although, his first year of life had me anxious every time he seemed to breathe differently, I also learned to enjoy every moment.  Looking back, Zac’s life has allowed me to re-calibrate my life.  I am more aware of when I am off-track with my calling to be a mom to my kids. The standard against which I measure is the one I learned as a young girl and have struggled with all my adult life, which is to possess a beatific attitude.  In my son I see this ability, one that radiates peace and is generously happy with being alive...we are all born with this and yet, we can easily lose it. 

In Catholic teaching, we learn about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, also known as “the Beatitudes”. (Matt 5: 3-12)

Today I reflect on this special day and I think of what it means to be a child of God….here are the Beatitudes….

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall possess the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Every day I thank God for my beautiful family and I realize that each of my children continues to challenge me to calibrate my life so that I can focused on what is most important.

And today I say “Thank you God for sending us Zachary”. Happy Birthday my amazing Son!