I have witnessed my lovely daughter and handsome son-in-law move from being a young couple awaiting the birth of their first child, to parents facing scary health issues. The two of them have had to grow up fast and furious with this beautiful daughter of theirs, first having a difficult time eating and then finding out that she has a heart arrhythmia problem, which hopefully she will outgrown, but in the meantime will require monitoring and medication. They learned very quickly the fear that takes over a parent when they realize their young one is in danger. They experienced being in the Infants ICU the heartbreak other parents also have had to face with a young child. In a time when you wish only beautiful days and sleep-filled nights, they have faced some of the ugliest realities of parenthood. And they faced it together. That is the silver lining to this cloud. Both concerned over the welfare of the other.
Today they had their first lesson on how to live with a baby with a slight, temporary (we have faith) heart condition. I saw them smile up at each other while they were monitoring her heart and saw the love in their eyes, for each other and the baby they created. It was a joy to be there.
