Today, September 10, 2016, my little man turns four.
FOUR!!! How did that even happen??
As I sit here typing, I find myself wondering what most four year old boys would want for a birthday gift and what type of party themes are popular.
I wonder, but I don’t really know…
There will be no gifts. No four year old themed party with handmade decorations. No house full of rambunctious little people singing happy birthday to the man of the hour. No adorable party guests asking for “just one more piece of cake”.
Yes, today is my son’s birthday, but it is also his heaven day – the day he died. These days are one in the same.
Although this is a sad truth, and a difficult part of my reality, I choose not to dwell or let my focus live there.
Instead, I choose to find joy.
I remember what an amazing little boy my son was, and how his brief life had an amazing impact. I think about all the things that have happened in the past four years because of him. I recall the ways he has changed my life and the lives of others.
I choose to celebrate… and invite others to join the celebration.
Instead of a dirt-and-dinosaurs theme party (or whatever a four year old boy might want), this year we celebrate Amalya Nathaniel and his 1 hour and 20 minutes of life by asking people to “Do 4 Others” – instead of gifts or cards, we want people to pick one (or more) of the following:
1) Purposefully do something special for a family member, friend, or acquaintance.
2) Give blood at your local Blood Bank
3) Register as an Organ Donor – https://registerme.org/
4) Give 4 things to a local food pantry, or give $4 to your favorite charity/ministry/church.
Today, I choose to embrace my son’s fourth birthday with excitement. I am so proud to be his mother. He accomplished so much during his time on earth and I hope that this year his legacy will grow even more and his impact will be even deeper.
Today my little man turns four! Happy Birthday sweet boy with all my love….
What a wonderful idea! Benjamin’s 3rd birthday is just 3 days away. I may have to come up with something creative, too!
Happy Birthday to your precious little boy. I love and appreciate your constant focus on joy and purpose. Thank you for everything you’ve done to pave the way for research. We will all be living with much more purpose today, because of everything you and your husband, and Amalya have done. I’m sure Ayden is at Amalya’s heaven party. I can only imagine how good the cake is. So much love to you.
Happy Birthday in Heaven precious boy.
In honor of your special day , I cooked dinner for my pastor’s family(him,his wide & 5 children)
They were such a wonderful support to me during my pregnancy with the twins that I naturally thought of them when your mommy asked us to #do4others, in your honor.
I read your post today and made an appointment to give blood next week (Thursday) in Amalyal’s honor the Red Cross. Happy heaven b-day Amalya, you are loved.