The triplets were born eleven years ago today at 10:41 AM (Jasper), 10:43 AM (Sela) and 10:44 AM (Carys). You all know the story and if you don't, here is the summary: 14 weeks premature, 3+ months in the NICU at QMH hospital, all three had brain bleeds (in fact Sela had the worst brain hemorrhage) along with a whole host of other issues. Thank the Lord that eleven years later you would never know. In fact, they're old enough that today Carys counted off their births. As re-counted by Carys just before dinner, at 10:41 AM Carys thought to herself, "Jasper was just born." At 10:43 AM, "Sela was just born." At 10:44 AM, "I was just born and now I am eleven years old!" Yes you are, Carys.
We had a small birthday dinner tonight, along with a wonderful cake made by Liza that won top marks for presentation. Allegedly Sebastian helped with the decorating. Afterwards the triplets opened a small pile of gifts - lately we've been reducing expectations that each birthday or Christmas doesn't always come with a big expensive present. Simple things seemed to please: a new football and drumsticks for Jasper. Blue-tooth headphones and desk lamps for the girls. Of course there was the Groupon helicopter ride for Jasper a few weeks ago and in mid-March a "One Direction" concert for the girls, but all in all, relatively low key. The girls enjoyed a Birthday Tram Party a few weeks ago. Jasper, in addition to the helicopter ride, had a movie night with some friends. In a few weeks we'll complete the birthday celebrations when Maureen (Tess' mom) with a fancy family dinner. Truly this year the triplets have subscribed to the Extended Birthday Theory including a spontaneous birthday cake at a friend's BBQ this past weekend.
The whole thing just amazes me. Each breakfast I sit and marvel at chatty Carys and how far she has traveled since eleven years ago tonight. It was about this time eleven years ago to the minute I started to set-up the web site. That night I consumed a block of cheese and a significant portion of a bottle of white wine, if not all. (I've since given up wine and other like beverages, and should give up cheese for this year's season of Lent.) Tess was in the hospital receiving minimal morphine after a c-section. Before I went to bed I prayed. The silence from God was so loud, I heard nothing. Many have heard me share how I heard an expectant nothing late that night, but I knew that God was listening. Years later I am starting to hear the sound in the silence as if the storm settled to the slow and peaceful chorus of rolling waves at night.
I then find years later what is considered to be the oldest sailors' hymn based on Psalm 107:23-30 from several hundred years ago:
When by the dreadful tempest borne
High on the broken wave,
They know Thou art not slow to hear,
Nor impotent to save.
The storm is laid, the winds retire,
Obedient to Thy will;
The sea that roars at Thy command,
At Thy command is still.
Happy 11th Birthday to Carys, Sela and Jasper!
No matter how hard the storm, stop to smell the roses and listen to the sound of the waves.
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