26 years ago today my son Thomas was born at 3:33 PM on Christmas Eve in Southern MD. It was quite an event because every thing that could go wrong went wrong. By 10PM that evening I was told to return to the hospital in Southern Maryland. My son was not going to make it. He was dying.
For those that do not remember the events of the day....Christmas eve in 1983 broke all records for temperature. "It was the coldest Christmas Eve on modern record in the United States" The wind chill that night was almost 50 below. The temperature in DC was 6 degrees with a fierce wind blowing. The gas in my car froze as I tried to drive from LaPlata MD to Southern MD hospital...they had to Medevac my son to Children's Hospital in Washington DC. I had to drive 10 miles on the shoulder of the road with he car bucking just to make it to the hospital. I had not slept for 2 days now. The temperature was so cold, there could not chance a life flight. My first thoughts was to get to the hospital and have my son baptized. He was not expected to pull through. When I arrived at the hospital, I could only get a nurse to baptize him. It was now midnight, and even all the priests could not be reached. They were busy doing midnight masses. As soon as he was baptized his ambulance sped away. It was a bitter sweet Christmas. When I left the hospital, I was stuck on the road for another 6 hours as my car froze up. At 5:30 in the morning, someone picked me up from the road, and got me to a service station. I got the car running again with the help of a few cans of dry gas. it was an event I would not want to relive. The interesting thing was that I had a lot of reflection that evening. It was a bittersweet event. There were no cell phones back then, and the feeling was that I was on my own.
It is amazing the details that we can remember on what should have been such a happy occasion, but the events forever changed my life. I have no regrets. I reached the point where I could accept the will of God. The way I look at life forever changed that evening. It is not the gifts we exchange, the presents, and the shopping that make the holidays, but it love,and it is the Grace of God. Christmas is a lot more important than any other day. It is an opportunity for a rebirth, for changing the way we think, the way we live, and look at life. It is the eternal message that God is here for us.
For myself, Christmas is about gaining the right perspectives in life and the surrender to the acceptance of the will of God. Though the events were traumatic, I will never forget that Christmas in 1983, nor do I want to. On Christmas morning 1983 ina neo-natal ward in Childrens Hospital in Washington DC, my son made a miraculous turn for the better. The doctors could not explain such a rapid recovery.
Today we celebrated my son Thomas's 26 birthday. I am most blessed for all the gifts that God has bestowed in my lifetime. I pray for others in their time of need that they be blessed with that same grace, and may they recognise the love of God as it occurs. It is an event not to be missed.
Merry Christmas to all!
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WOW! This is an amazing story. I am glad your son survived and I am sure each birthday with him is incredibly special.
Best Christmas gift ever. Had one of the four want to come out way way too early and the medical hurdles, unknowns all make the final successful delivery let you relax, thanks be to the Lord above. Kids makes your life go from black and white to color. Family is everything and makes an ordinary house a real vibrant home.
Jim, That was quite the experience. Thanks for sharing how it impacted your life. No doubt these experiences are one of God's ways to make us turn to Him. Good to know your son lived. It must make Christmas just a little more special each year. Na, probably a lot more special! Have a great Christmas!
Dr. Stacey-Ann Baugh (EOP Real Estate, LLC) This son of mine had so many health issues that I have to stop and give thanks. A year after he was born a large percentage for children started developing AIDS. The blood supply in 1983 was not tested for AIDS. We had to go for AIDS testing which took 6 months back then. It was a nail biter for quite a while after his birth.
Andrew Mooers | Northern Maine Real Estate / Aroostook County Broker (MOOERS REALTY) I totally agree Andrew. Kids really make my life turn into technicolor. What blessings.
R. Greg Osmond Realtor, St. John's, Newfoundland, Real Estate (Sutton Group-Capital Realty Ltd.) You are right my friend. It made it so much more special. We have a lot to be grateful for. Life is precious, and each moment we live and breathe is a gift from God. I also think a lot of others this evening that are living with their own tragedies. It is so hard to believe the is any hope, and purpose in things. Sometimes it is in that letting go, that everything becomes clear. The best place for th0se things that are too big for us to handle is to place them in the care of God. Turn it over, and be willing to accept His will. That is the most difficult thing I've ever done in my life.
Jim, What a beautiful story! I'm so glad that you had a Christmas miracle!!
Marchel Peterson Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro ABR (Results Realty) Marchel, there are miracles in our lives every day. Some are small and some are momentous. They all occur for a reason. They are all worth reflecting on.
Jim,
Very touching story for us and an incredibly difficult experience for you and your wife. As a parent I know what it's like when anything at all happens to a child.
I'm glad you were able to experience all these wonderful Christmas' with him.
Rich
Jim, that is very nice post. Enjoy your family on this double special day. I am awaiting my crew to wake up. I too use this day for reflection and celebration. Merry Christmas.
Stories that end well are so much better Jim:) I hope you and your family have a fantastic day!
I appreciate your transparency of Christian faith...Merry Christmas!
Jim, thank you so much for sharing such a powerful and personal story. It just affirms the true importance for the real meaning of Christmas. May you enjoy a wonderful day with you family.
Richard Iarossi, Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate (Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.) Thank you Richard. We are richly blessed. Merry Chritmas!
Frank Rubi Kenner | Metairie |LA | Real Estate (Frank Rubi Real Estate | Licensed in Louisiana) Frank Merry Christmas to you and your family. It is a great day for reflection and celebration!
Bill Gassett Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate (RE/MAX Executive Realty) There is no bad ending with faith Bill. I am very happy for this one. Merry Christmas.
Cherise Selley (Selley Group Real Estate, LLC) Merry Christmas Cherise.
Cathy McAlister, GRI CDPE California Living RE/Sacramento I think it is important that we share our experiences with others. Merry Christmas.
Hi Jim,
You have much to be thankful for; thank you for sharing the poignant story of your son. I'm glad you can tell him Happy Birthday on Christmas Eve and Merry Christmas on Christmas. God works in mysterious ways.
Dorie Dillard: Canyon Creek & NW Austin Living (Coldwell Banker United) You are so right. God is great. Merry Christmas!
Jim,
A friend of mine just had her baby at 24 weeks about three days before Christmas. My heart goes out to her as she struggles watching her young one fight to survive.
I will pray for a miracle. Thank you for your inspiring story.
Jim ~ What an incredible story you have on Christmas Eve. It's amazing that you survived the storm too. Thank you for sharing it with everyone. Hope you had a great Holiday with your family.
Rich Cederberg- Albuquerque Real Estate Blog (RE/MAX Finest) I will remember her and her baby in my prayers. I think it is important to note that everything in life has a purpose, and nothing happens by chance. We live in a day and age where doctors, medicines, and medical instruments can literally make a bigger difference than a few years ago. We are very blessed to live in the time and age we do.
June Tassillo Your Go to Girl & Realtor for Life! (Classic GMAC Real Estate - Franklin, NC 28734) We were fortunate there was no snow just bitter cold and high winds. In DC that Christmas morning there were loads of water main breaks all around town. Yes than you for we had a great quiet holiday. I hope you did to! Merry Christmas.