Our Precious Ethan Carter

Ethan Carter Lane was born on March 12, 2010, perfectly healthy except for a rare congenital heart defect (Supravalvular Aortic Stenosis and Supravalvular Pulmonic Stenosis) that has been passed down through the generations in my family. His sister, Emily (born November 22, 2004), has the same defect. She had two cardiac catheterizations with balloon angioplastys and open-heart surgery, all before the age of one. She is a happy, energetic little girl who has never been sickly (you would never even know she has a heart defect) and has an incredible future. Her little brother Ethan was expected to follow a similar course. He was a "normal baby"... he never looked or acted sick, never struggled, never let us know just how severe his heart defect really was. On June 4, 2010, at two months and three weeks of age, Ethan underwent his first procedure--- a cardiac catheterization with balloon angioplasty. Only they never started the actual procedure. When someone is put under general anesthesia, their blood pressure drops. When the doctors put our precious Ethan under, his heart could not handle the drop in blood pressure. He went into sudden, unexpected cardiac arrest, and teams of doctors tried everything they knew to save him. But, Jesus did the saving that day in His Own special way... and Ethan went to live forever in Heaven. This blog is simply one mother working through her grief and reconciling a Loving God with One Who allows us to suffer the loss of a child. It is also one mother wanting the world to know about her incredibly special son--- and the God Who loves him.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Happy Birthday, Grampy and Jackson!

Today is my daddy's birthday... his third one with Jesus and his first one with his grandson.

My daddy went Home to be with Jesus on June 7, 2008... it was completely unexpected and a horrible shock--- and the worst pain I had ever known. On June 7, 2010, I buried my son... it was completely unexpected and a horrible shock--- and the worst pain I have ever known.

There is no sugarcoating it. The truth is, my daddy and my son were suddenly and horrifically ripped away from me.

But I also have to remember some other truths... and they are not an option. They are how I breathe...

My daddy and my son are together.

And they spend their days with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

You see, the day they each met Jesus brought (and brings) me unspeakable pain... but it brought (and brings) them unspeakable happiness.

And One day, I too, will be called Home.

I will see Jesus face to face.

And then, I will see them face to face.

Ever since my daddy has gone to Heaven, every year on his birthday, Josh, Emily and I go out to eat and have cake. We sing Happy Birthday to Grampy in Heaven, and we honor him and his life.

Last year on this day, my precious nephew Jackson was born. His mama, Amanda, is like a sister to me. How I love it that Jackson shares his Uncle Mac's birthday. (We are all certain my daddy would have called him "Mackson", by the way!)

Here is Emily tonight, doing an encore of the songs she sang at our special lunch today.

Daddy--- I love and miss you!! Kiss my son for me.

Jackson--- Wear John Deere proudly and every chance you get!

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2 comments:

  1. JodiJanuary 27, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Happy Birthday to your dad and Jackson. I bet Ethan and your dad are having a wonderful party in Heaven.
    I think of you often and you are always in my prayers!

    ReplyDelete
  2. BryanneJanuary 28, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    Thank you, Jodi--- and I continue to pray for Allie and that you will find answers for her! :)

    ReplyDelete

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