Gratitude
There are many things that give me reason to be grateful. On Thanksgiving day one of my most precious gifts was on my mind. It was my oldest daughter's birthday. Megan was born twenty-four years ago. I know, it's hard to believe that I have a child that old.
Megan is a beautiful, blonde, charming, cheerful, capable, wonderful person. Not unusual praise from an adoring parent. But it's all true. She lives in Ogden, works at a local hotel, has a rich social life (she's single) and gets along okay with her parents. Again, all very normal things. Having a November 27th birthday it occasionally falls on Thanksgiving, affording me a double reason to express thanks and making Megan's birthday a national celebration. This is as it should be.
Megan was born with Spina Bifida. The most severe type (there are three). I was in the delivery room and witnessed the whole thing. There was a big hole in her lower back. The nurse looked up at me and her eyes were large and expressive. This was bad.
A few hours later, after much worry and speculation, the doctors gave us the bad news. Megan would need an operation. Soon. Without it she would die within a few months. With the operation there would be no guarantees. In 1979, Megan's birth year, babies with this form of Spina Bifida had a 99% chance of being in some sort of vegetative state. Only 1% were near normal with ambulatory capabilities, control of bowels and bladder, feelings and movement, able to lead a near normal life.
That's the miracle of Megan. Not that she is extraordinary. That she is normal. She has faced many challenges in her life. Challenges that I can't understand, at least not completely. She has had 6 major surgeries, 4 during her first year. She sees doctors many times every year and there is always some physical ailment that she is dealing with. She seems so young and yet she is a year older than I was when she was born. She is much braver than I am. She possess a courage that is quiet, unassuming and admirable. I'm grateful for Megan. For her life. For her strength. For all that she's taught me and all she means to my life............
11:54:29 AM 
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