I’ve decided that I like sharing what I’m grateful for so much that I’m going to share one every time I post something here. It’s very healthy in this state to practice public gratitude. Today, I’m going to share about my little James and why I am so grateful for him. This isn’t just a little blip about my gratitude towards God for giving me James, it’s an entire posting about it.
There are not many times I talk about my stroke when I can’t get the words out because the lump is too big in my throat. I can always, always talk. I’m an Arnold. It’s what we do. We talk. I am the original chatty Kathy! Speechlessness almost never happens to me. I guess some things are deeper than words can express.
Talking about baby James makes me choke up and then stop talking altogether. Specifically, when I recount the story of why my neuro-surgeon decided to do surgery even though I was probably just going to die, I always cry. “Because she is a mother” he was told and would then tell Jay after 16 hours of surgery on my brain. Ahhhh – I have tears right now of course! Quite literally, at 6 months old, James saved my life. He had no idea, but he was utilized in the decision-making that would determine my fate. One day he will understand that fact.
James is healthy and growing and precious. This picture was taken tonight and cracks me up. His faces are so funny. Where does he get all that animation from? We are delighted to report that he will attend St. Johns Presbyterian Preschool in the fall. He was accepted off the waiting list (getting into preschool in LA is like getting into an Ivy League University!!!) More than that exciting news, my heart was warmed a few Sundays ago at church when he said, “Church is fun!” We took him to Family Worship at church, and he danced to the kiddie praise songs. Now I know we have a long way to go, but this made me so happy. We are on the right track!
I want to teach James about God for so, so many reasons. Above all, I want to teach him about a God who saved him from a life without ever knowing his mommy– a God who has given me the gift of watching him grow up.
(These are his Chunky Monkey Pajamas because he is the cutest little Chunky Monkey I know…)