This is my little grandson Andreas (Andy).  He had hydrocephalus probably from the time he was in the womb, but we didn’t know it until one fateful night when he was 9 months old and we nearly lost him.  A delicate brain surgery preserved his life, but the pressure on his brain had already caused significant damage.  One side of the brain was affected more severely than the other and it is reflected in his body.  One side of his body doesn’t move very well.

Andy hasn’t been around very long, but he has already taught us so much.  He has taught us the miracle of normal.  When I see a toddler taking his first steps, I now recognize that as a miracle.  Things that I once took for granted, I now see as amazing.  We are grateful for every little evidence of progress in Andy’s development.  When Andy could roll over by himself at age one, we rejoiced.  When he could scoot on his bum at 18 months, we were thrilled.  When he uses his right arm at all (or even acknowledges its existence), it almost brings tears to my eyes.

He is a beautiful happy child.  He is now two years old and can’t walk or crawl yet, but we have hope that in time he may be able to acquire these skills.  My son, Andy’s father, once told me, “I know it’s going to be okay, but I don’t know what okay looks like.”

Okay doesn’t always mean that things go the way we want, and yet, it really is okay.  It is more than okay.

Life is good.  Life is very good.