Prayers

This coming Sunday, June 29th, some of our favorite people in the whole world will welcome their third child into the world. His name is Caden, and on that day he and his family (and all of us who love him) will really need your prayers.

Caden is not expected to live long on this earth, and the peace I have in knowing how loved he is and will continue to be has been a real boon to my faith these last few months as his parents and siblings manage this incredibly difficult time.

As the day of his birth approaches, I have done some reflecting on what Caden will be taking with him when he goes to meet his creator. While I prepare to mourn this precious child, I think of what he will have accomplished in his short time on earth, and I'm humbled by these things.

Caden has a mother who is a truly gifted woman. Though we are peers, she has long served as an example to me as a mother, wife, friend, professional and Christian. She has a unique warmth, a fantastic sense of humor, an inspiring work ethic, an awesome recipe for sour cream enchiladas and peanut butter bars, and perfect hair. Five minutes (plus seven months in utero) with this woman as your mother is more than many of us are fortunate to get in a lifetime. Even now that I am seeing her more than I've been able to in the last several years, I still miss her when she's not around.

Caden's father is the kind of man that you would expect the above listed woman to love. They are uniquely matched, made for each other. He's very strong, ethical and kind, which makes him a fantastic father, but for such a gifted man, he's also very humble, bright and exceedingly patient. He's also a very talented writer to boot, and someone from whom I expect more great things. I feel very fortunate to call him my friend, and also fortunate that he has long tolerated my bizarre sense of humor and arguably Socialist political philosophies.

Caden has a brother who is six. I would have loved him because of who his parents are, but now I love him because of who he is. He's also very patient, really, really cute, and one of those rare children in this day and age who prefers to be outside. He's also wise enough at six to observe the world around him, which gives him rare wisdom, insight and empathy for a six year old (or some adults I know.)

Caden also has an older sister. She has red hair that is already enviable. She's stubborn and opinionated and already the kind of girlfriend you want to have around for the long haul, the future righter-of-wrongs and injustices on the playground, in the classroom, and eventually the world. She also has a fabulous fashion sense and an aesthetic appreciation that makes everything more fun--you can tell that she is going to be one of those women who makes everything she touches more beautiful.

Caden also has loving grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends that will surround him while he is here, and an amazing grandmother who will greet him in Heaven when he arrives.

So, while I would give anything for Caden to delay his journey, I am confident that he is ready for it. Please pray for Caden and his family on Sunday.