Thursday, November 26, 2009

incredibly thankful

Dear Jonah,

I just wanted to write this letter for you to someday read to let you know how very, very thankful I am to have you.

You amaze us every day with your strength, bravery, and resilience. People just can't believe it the first time they meet you and see how smiley and happy you are almost all the time. They think you have "problems," but you sure seem oblivious. You are one sweet child. And I'm not just saying that because I'm your mom and I have to. Really, you are so special.

You are beautiful, content, smart, and you crack me up with your new expressions and funny sounds every day. You have the greatest personality.

And I have so many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day: God, Jesus, our friends, family, our church family, all the wonderful people who help us with dressing change, our house, our warms beds and showers, food... the list goes on and on.

But I just want you to know that I am so especially thankful for you. You have changed my life 100% for the better. I love you more than I could ever even put into words, and I choke up most times when I have to express out loud how I love you. It's just too overwhelming. You make my days brighter, and I can't imagine my life without you. I'd never want to go back to how it was before. You are so incredibly BEYOND worth it.

Last year, when I wrote some things I was thankful for, this is what I wrote about you: "For our new baby boy who is renewing us every day, for his kicks and movements, and for the excitement and hope he gives us for tomorrow." And you weren't even here yet! But man, oh man, the excitement and hope you have given us. Actually, you have renewed the definition of hope for me. I pray and fast for a miracle for you, but really, YOU are the miracle, sweet boy. You have overcome so much, so much more than anybody ever thought you could.

And I'm so thankful for the hope you've given us. I can't wait to see how God continues to use you to give hope to others too. He's holding you up, Jonah. Do you know that? I see you soaring like an eagle every day, and I know it is God who is sustaining you. He is healing you. He is growing you. He is the reason you live and breathe.

And it is HE who gave you to me. And for that I could never say thank you enough. Words just sound cheap.

You are the love of my life, my hero, my best friend. And God put us together. Pretty amazing, huh? I can't wait to watch you grow and change and become the wonderful man God is shaping you into.

He has already begun such a wonderful work in you, Jonah. I'm so excited to see what more He will do to, for, and through you. My prayer for you is that you will always be open to that work, and that you will glorify Him through your storms. You will have many, Baby Jonut, but I think you will see how He brings you through time and time again, and you will know that you are eternally, inexplicably, unconditionally, infinitely loved. And you will be amazed. I know I am.

Thank you for being my son. You are perfect. Happy First Thanksgiving, Jonah.

I love you with all my heart,
Mommy

35 comments:

Elizabeth said...

beautiful

Kellye said...

What a treasure that letter will be to Jonah in years ahead...Thanksgiving blessings from Texas to you and your family, Patrice! God is GOOD!!!!

Erin said...

Beautiful letter.

Meghann said...

That's so beautiful Patrice! I hope you guys have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
I'm sure Jonah is thankful to have such an amazing Mommy.

Anonymous said...

awwww. I am thankful for the lessons that Jonah's little life is teaching me too!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

Kay said...

What a beautiful letter of thanks for your baby boy and to your baby boy. How could you see through the tears to type? I had tears reading it! :) You are blessed, Patrice. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Kay said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennay said...

Absolutely beautiful, Patrice!! This brought tears to my eyes! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Wanda Wilkinson said...

Happy Thanksgiving. As I was praying last night & this morning, I thanked God for my many blessings & Jonah becoming a part of my life is truly a blessing.

May God shower you & your family with many more blessings & provide you a wonderful visit with family.

Love & prayers

Penny said...

Now, HOW am I supposed to drink my coffee with this huge lump in my throat?! Patrice, that was beautiful and seriously made me tear up!
Happy Thanksgiving! =)

Just Add Walter said...

beautiful letter!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Me, the boys and a Farm... said...

WOW! How Awesome!
Happy Thanksgiving.

Christine said...

You are such an awesome and loving mommy to Baby Jonah. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Lyndsay said...

If Jonah could type I bet he'd say all these wonderful things about you...his best friend...his love...his mama! He is one lucky boy! Don't forget that God blessed him with just the right parents to lead him and guide him through his life. God is sustaining you two as well!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

I can't think of a better way to begin my Thanksgiving morning than with tears of joy in my eyes. Thank you, Patrice... and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

-Nikki

LB said...

Oh, you bring tears to my eyes. There is nothing like a mother's love for her child.

Happy Thanksgiving, Patrice, Matt, and Jonah.

Anonymous said...

So sweet! I am thankful for Jonah too, and the way he has impacted my life. And for you too, Patrice! You make me laugh, smile, and cry and share your life with us. I am thankful to be just a small part of your journey, and consider it an honor to be able to pray for you, Jonah and Matt. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

~Amy

Laura A said...

This was beautiful, Patrice. Jonah could not have been blessed with a better mom than you. Wishing all God's blessings for you, Matt and sweet Jonah. Team Anderson is cheering for all of you from Texas!!

LOVE!!!
Laura

Unknown said...

Oh Patrice, so choked up in little old New Zealand...reading your beautiful letter to darling Jonah. I've been doing a lot of "I'm thankful's...." recently, so it just feels like no matter where you are in the world we're all thankful for our little blessings. We have three children, and I started reading your blog whilst pregnant with our youngest. His name is Gabriel (Gabe) and we'd long decided on the name, then read your blog and were even more resolved for him to share his name with such a special baby.

Have a great Thanksgiving.
God bless you and your precious family,
Helen

Janel said...

I just wanted to wish you guys a very happy Thanksgiving.

I didn't read your post b/c I noticed it was a letter to Jonah - and your letters to Jonah always make me cry AND because for the first time in a LONG time, I have make up on and don't want mascara streaks down my face!

I'm sure it is one of the sweetest most wonderful things and tomorrow when I have no make up on I'm sure I will cry my eyes out reading it!

I hope you have safe travels and great food!

Janel :)

Nati @ I will praise Him said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you!!!!

Stephens Family News said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Patrice!!

So thankful for all God has been doing in your family, and how well little Jonah has been eating lately! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Ok...totally random, but since you were reminiscing in your post, I thought I'd join you. I looked back at some old posts from just before Jonah was born. Must tell you that I totally laughed out loud with tears rolling down my face when I read your January 2009 post called "Not Me Monday"!! You are so hilarious!!

emily bennett said...

Hi, long time reader, first time commentor.

I found your Pray for Jonah button just after he was born on someone else's blog. Every time I read your blog, I feel so blessed. Your honesty and transparency is a breath of fresh air. I myself have a child who has a special need- she is deaf. Though they are totally different needs, I feel like I can relate to you. As different as they are, I understand your frustrations and feeling of being overwhelmed all the time. We didn't sign up for all this, did we? We signed up for diaper duty, meal times (without them sleeping and fighting it, for you!), and play time. We didn't sign up for bandage changes, feeding battles, sores, Cochlear Implant surgeries, to be speech teachers and audiologists. God didn't get the memo, huh?

:) Or He has infinitely greater purposes for us than just playtime and ease with our littles. His glory is at stake here, and He has recruited you and me to reveal it through our blessing babes. It certainly isn't easy, and God is refining us (and our patience!) daily.

I just wanted to encourage you to stay strong. I have researched online EB, and my heart is so heavy for you. I am absolutely amazed at your strength and love for Jonah. I don't know how you do it, dealing with EB every day. Well, maybe I do... I know how I deal with deafness everyday... and she's the sweetest thing I know, much like Jonah is to you!

I have learned through being a mommy and through my daughter's hearing loss that the best thing to do, in the good and the hard times is to speak Truth into the situation. To remind myself that God isn't doing this "to" me, but rather, "for" me... my good and for His glory. Claim who Christ is, and what His blood did for us daily... and let the fraility of our children's needs remind us that we are meant for another world, this world is not our home.

My favorites: Romans 11:36, "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen."

and

Lamentations 3:22-23 "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

His mercies are new EVERY DAY... and every time you have to change bandages, and every time you have to fight for a few ounces to go down. His compassions NEVER fail, not when Jonah has only eaten 5oz all day, not when he gushes all over his bandages. Not when he only sleeps for 10 minutes in your arms. His faithfulness is great... even when ours isn't.

You are precious. Jonah is so blessed to have such a mommy and daddy. I always hope I run into you all sometime (live in Raleigh) so I can give you a hug and see that blue eyed wonder in person.

Just remember... this world is not our home. His mercies are new and His compassions never fail. You are loved.

Lord Bless,
Emily Bennett
(bennett (dot) emily (at) hotmail (dot) com )

emily bennett said...

PS- for the record... I think you're a great mommy, even if you do put Jonah in front of Little Bear for 20 minutes. I just hope others think i'm a good mommy even though i let my daughter watch Sesame Street (you know, that show that notoriously makes kids dumber...)Dora the Explorer and Diego (the death sentence for kids brains).

:)

ashpuck said...

The heart of a mother is a beautiful thing. Thank you for sharing your love for Jonah with us.

~Ashley

Nashville TV Show said...

So beautiful!! I know you would say it's the other way around, but Jonah is one very lucky little boy to have you, your family & be surrounded by so much love! Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!!

Anonymous said...

Patrice, thank YOU for letting all of us "know" you and be forever changed by a beautiful boy named Jonah. Thank you for letting us love him and his amazing mommy and daddy. Thank YOU.

Happy Thanksgiving
Mel

emily ebeling said...

Happy Thanksgiving, to your whole family!
~em

Col. 3:15,16
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

Ani said...

Beautiful!

Claire said...

What a gorgeous post!

Cxx

Erin said...

So heartfelt, so precious, so beautiful, so amazing.

Your genuineness has always amazed me when I read your posts.

Many many blessings to you and your precious family

the-mommy-person said...

You are inspiring, Jonah. And we are thankful for you too. And for your mommy and daddy who totally rock. :)

Rebecca said...

So beautiful - Jonah is blessed to have you for his mommy!

Linda said...

Oh Patrice:
That was the most beautiful blog posting ever. Jonah is so very lucky to have you as his Mommy. The prayers will continue and so glad you had a great Thanksgiving.
Take care and give Jonah a kiss from Leah's Nana. Thanks and take care.retti

SandraDee said...

Priceless