It was three years and one day ago today that I was shopping for parts for a networking job I was going to do to make some extra money. Three years and one day ago today that, while searching for those parts at an Ace Hardware store, Katy called to tell me the doctors had decided to deliver Zac the next day, February 1st, 2008, by emergency C-section due to Katy's preecclampsia. So Katy calls to share this news with me, which should not have been unexpected since she'd been in the hospital several days already, but I was in the middle of asking a clerk at the store where to find something. Distracted, I suppose, by that effort and by the situation we were in that week, my response to learning I was going to be a dad again was, "OK. Thanks for letting me know!"
Yes, that is what I said when finding out the delivery date of my son. Now that we've put that on the table, let me tell you a little bit about my son. Zac has a joy I constantly crave. I love it when he sits in my lap and cuddles while watching TV on Saturday morning or in the evenings perhaps before bed. I love playing cars with him on the living room floor and watching him be "all boy" as he rams things into one another. I love playing with his stuffed animals in his room while he lays on his bed, acting surprised every time I have the dinosaur come up over the edge and roar at him.
I love that when I look at him, all I want to do is hold him, and hug him, and kiss him and tell him that I love him. I love the beautiful innocence in his eyes and the way he uses excellent manners when people say something nice, or provide him something to eat or drink, or do something for him. I love how he turns almost anything into a song, and how he can't go to sleep at night without asking Katy and me to sing to him, but especially Katy. I love how he wants to pray before he eats and how he calls macaroni and cheese, "mac cheese".
Zac is our miracle. The chances of Katy even getting pregnant were slim and we knew it, but chose to try anyway, realizing adoption might be our only chance eventually. Then, as Katy's health deteriorated, we had great doctors who knew what to do so Zac would best be prepared to enter this world early. Nine weeks is certainly early enough, and having to spend over five weeks in the NICU was hard, but his care was so great, the prayers he received so strong, and God's love so immense that he came through it all with flying colors. He's fully caught up to other kids his age in size and is showing the great intelligence we expect of him.
My miracle son, Zac, is my favorite little boy in the whole world. I love him more than life, enough to know I'd give up my life for him if it was ever required. I love him unconditionally, just as God loves me and loves him. Thank you, Jesus, for this amazing gift, this amazing bundle of joy and energy and funny jokes and songs!
