Four Years Old Today

Feb08_trips_bd_cakeFour years ago to the minute, Tess was in the hospital as were the triplets. I was at home. I had just posted the first pics of them in the NICU, while polishing off a part bottle of wine – or maybe all of it, can’t remember – and half a block of cheddar cheese. As I worked at the computer I listened to Dido’s songs "Life For Rent" and "White Flag" and "Here With Me" over and over and over, thinking that Lita must have thought I was crazy. (Ironic, because that was the start of a season when I waved a white flag to the Lord.) It was a rough night. As I went to bed, I recall praying that the triplets would live. My words fell on silence. There was no experience of grace from God, but I knew He was there, and I knew He knew that I knew He was there… odd, but just one of those things. Call it "expectant silence." Four years later as we held the triplets’ birthday party on the playground, my mind continued to emerge out of the long fog of four years, bewildered at where the triplets have come from, what they have accomplished, the incredible story of their survival and progress. The crowd sang each one of them "Happy Birthday." as each one took a turn blowing out the candle. During each song I choked up… unable to make my way through the moment. Just too overwhelming. On a lighter note you probably are all wondering, "what about the cake?" The cake… something very different: in keeping with the spiritual season that I find myself in these days, I made a cake of a Christian monastery atop of a mountain. Simple. Symbolic. Spiritual. Do you believe me?

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7 Replies to “Four Years Old Today”

  1. Beautiful blog, suitable for beautiful children!!
    Love to you all
    Auntie Pammie xoox
    Happy birthday to JJ,Sela and Carys !!

    Reply

  2. a long way in such a short time, for all six of you!
    Happy Birthday Carys, Sela, and Jasper!!!!

    Reply

  3. Sure, but what did you tell the kids it is? 🙂
    Happy 4th Birthday to Jasper, Sela & Carys!
    What an incredible 4 years it has been~

    Reply

  4. re: the cake, to quote the princess bride,
    “LIAR! LIAR! LIIII-ARRRRRR!”
    post the cake pictures, please.

    Reply

  5. Happy Birthday Jasper, Sela and Carys! I remember that weekend, and the months that followed so well – they are true miracles.
    I’m so glad I’ve seen them recently and know first hand how amazing they all are.
    And how incredible their parents are!
    Love to you all,
    Lucy

    Reply

  6. Wow! Four years! Has it been that long since I discovered your site telling about the babies?? I recall reading the updates and crying and praying for hours. Look what God has done! Are we surprised? NO!!
    I still sometimes think back to how scary it was for ME, I cannot imagine what you guys went through. I remember PLEADING with God to PLEASE spare every life and I thought about the weeks and months ahead with you all building fun memories together.
    Happy Brithday Jasper, Sela and Carys!

    Reply

  7. Can’t possibly imagine the intensity of your prayers that night 4 years ago, or your emotions while watching them blow their birthday candles. Congratulations on this special day! God does indeed honor those who honor Him.

    Reply

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ABOUT AUTHOR
Charles

Originally from Canada and lived in Hong Kong for fifteen years. Married to the terribly talented & gorgeous Tess.

RECENT POSTS
No Joy

I doubt my father will be thrilled with my inaugural entry into the blogging world. But read on anyway… In my younger, pre-parenthood and much

Sebastian’s Knee

Many read Tess’ post on Sebastian’s knee. I will now tell you what ended up happening at the Tuesday morning follow-up appointment. This is Hong

Sebastian the Naughty Pedestrian

I am writing from Bangkok. I am on a business trip and staying in the same hotel from my first trip to Asia in 1990.

New pictures posted!

new pictures posted on tess’ blog of the triplets and Sebastian… click here!

Macau Recruiting Issues

Tantalizing Tess left today for her grandfather’s funeral. Sombre moods. I am sitting at our computer sipping a glass of white wine. It’s about 11

Four Years Old Today

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest

Reader interactions

7 Replies to “Four Years Old Today”

  1. Beautiful blog, suitable for beautiful children!!
    Love to you all
    Auntie Pammie xoox
    Happy birthday to JJ,Sela and Carys !!

    Reply

  2. a long way in such a short time, for all six of you!
    Happy Birthday Carys, Sela, and Jasper!!!!

    Reply

  3. Sure, but what did you tell the kids it is? 🙂
    Happy 4th Birthday to Jasper, Sela & Carys!
    What an incredible 4 years it has been~

    Reply

  4. re: the cake, to quote the princess bride,
    “LIAR! LIAR! LIIII-ARRRRRR!”
    post the cake pictures, please.

    Reply

  5. Happy Birthday Jasper, Sela and Carys! I remember that weekend, and the months that followed so well – they are true miracles.
    I’m so glad I’ve seen them recently and know first hand how amazing they all are.
    And how incredible their parents are!
    Love to you all,
    Lucy

    Reply

  6. Wow! Four years! Has it been that long since I discovered your site telling about the babies?? I recall reading the updates and crying and praying for hours. Look what God has done! Are we surprised? NO!!
    I still sometimes think back to how scary it was for ME, I cannot imagine what you guys went through. I remember PLEADING with God to PLEASE spare every life and I thought about the weeks and months ahead with you all building fun memories together.
    Happy Brithday Jasper, Sela and Carys!

    Reply

  7. Can’t possibly imagine the intensity of your prayers that night 4 years ago, or your emotions while watching them blow their birthday candles. Congratulations on this special day! God does indeed honor those who honor Him.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

ABOUT AUTHOR
Charles

Originally from Canada and lived in Hong Kong for fifteen years. Married to the terribly talented & gorgeous Tess.

RECENT POSTS
No Joy

I doubt my father will be thrilled with my inaugural entry into the blogging world. But read on anyway… In my younger, pre-parenthood and much

Sebastian’s Knee

Many read Tess’ post on Sebastian’s knee. I will now tell you what ended up happening at the Tuesday morning follow-up appointment. This is Hong

Sebastian the Naughty Pedestrian

I am writing from Bangkok. I am on a business trip and staying in the same hotel from my first trip to Asia in 1990.

New pictures posted!

new pictures posted on tess’ blog of the triplets and Sebastian… click here!

Macau Recruiting Issues

Tantalizing Tess left today for her grandfather’s funeral. Sombre moods. I am sitting at our computer sipping a glass of white wine. It’s about 11