Happy 1st Hearing Birthday! As we think back to your first day of hearing, we are reminded how scared you were. Sweetheart, were scared too. You were in a silent world all of your young life. You had only been in our family a short time. We wondered if this was what was best for you. We wondered what the outcome would be. We knew communication was the key, whether it was sign language or oral language. We believe giving you this medical miracle, the gift of hearing, would allow you to access to sound and speech. When you are old enough to decide for yourself, we will support you in whatever communication choice you choose.
During those early days of hearing, you would often remove your cochlear implants. Getting used to sound was a challenge and you were slow to acknowledge sound. Weekly speech therapy appointments, attending a special hearing impaired preschool class, audiologist appointments, and daily "learning to listen" activities at home became the "new normal".
As your brain began to make new connections and mapping of sound took place, we saw a metamorphosis take place in your life. Eye contact improved. Your confidence and personality bloomed. Contagious joy flowed out of you and so did the mischieviousness! Interaction with others, affection, and pursuit for knowledge grew exponentially. What a privilege we have to witness the daily miracles occuring in your life! Praise be to God.
When we call your name and you turn your head to look at us, we are overjoyed and thankful. Every.Time. You are now able to identify some nursery rhyme songs. You are making daily progress in your receptive and expressive language. We long for the day that you will call us "mama" and "dada". We believe it is just around the corner.
God's plan is always better than ours. Never forget that. Our difficulties, trials and past can be used for good and for God's glory. You are an orphan no more. You are our beloved son, Luke Isaac Crawford. Your birthday, gotcha day, and hearing birthday are celebrations of your life and God's goodness, even in this fallen world. You are our one of a kind original, our superman, and we love you more than ice cream and cake :)
Forever yours,
Mama and Dada
And keep me responsible, be it a light or heavy load
Keep me guessing with these blessings in disguise
And I'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes
Caedmons Call - Faith My Eyes Lyrics
