Almost 11 years ago I met the most amazing little guy. His name was Cole and he was my son. Back then his appeal lay solely in his tangible presence that bestowed on me the gift of motherhood. It was overwhelming and exciting with breathtaking moments competing in tandem with sleep deprivation and a (losing) battle that was the art of breastfeeding. Being part of the mommy club gave me a healthy dose of perspective that propelled me through those first couple of months. Six weeks in and the newfound rhythm of contentment was shattered when we learnt that Cole had a congenital eye disorder. Since then the road has been long and winding, with many enlightening pit stops along the way. We have had to re-adjust our expectations, reprogram our way of thinking and let go of many stealthy stereotypes. While most parents delight in the mediocrity of their child’s inch-by-inch progress, celebrating each milestone that signifies a victory of parenthood and confirming that your child is ‘normal’, we were confronted at every turn with the realisation that Cole, by society’s standards, would never be that kind of normal.
As we enter the age of the tweenie, on the cusp of teenager-hood, we are beyond proud of our child who’s outstanding vocabulary has never permitted the word ‘can’t’, who’s fearlessness in the face of the unknown has inspired me and navigated us past potential pity parties and crises of character. The future is unknown to us all, but it is the hope we have in the steadfast love of God that keeps us believing that the plan He has for us far outstrips the fearfulness of the things unknown and the frustration of those things we cannot understand. My boy, my champion, happy 11th birthday x
