In Dash's World

His collection of airplanes, mostly military aircraft models.
He wants to be a jet fighter when he grows up.

Our beautiful and dynamic Dash.

Nine years ago we were blessed with the birth of our oldest child, Dash. I remember the labor, 25 hours long. His Aunts Marianne and Geneva and Uncle Joe were all present for the birth, though in retrospect they may wish they'd skipped it. I'm certain that this experience convinced my sisters that they'd never do natural childbirth! It was a long hard day. As we approached the wee hours of the morning, we thought he'd never come. It was such a joy and relief when he finally arrived. He was 7 lbs. 9 oz., 19 in. long, born at 3:45am. He came yelling at the top of his lungs, anxious to tell the world that he wasn't happy with it so far!

I fell in love with him the instant I saw him. Squirmy, alert, healthy, with dark eyes. I was a mother. I had no idea how to be one, but I was excited to learn. He was the happiest, most entertaining baby I've ever known to this day. I remember one time when he was about six months old, we went to get his shots at the UT county Health department. He was so busy laughing and interacting with the nurse, he didn't even flinch or acknowledge that needles were being stuck into his chubby little thighs. To this day, I've never met another baby or toddler that had as much energy and intensity as Dash did at those stages.

The ensuing years with him have taught me so much. His soul is distinctly passionate, curious, energetic, uncompromising, and honest. When he tries to lie, it is unconvincing. He can also see through even the slightest superficiality or hypocrisy in others. Since the time he could put two words together he's been asking profound questions. I noticed early on that once he learned what a word meant, it was in there. We'd hear him use it in conversations thereafter. From the time he could lift his head and crawl around, he has been an explorer. With Dash, there really is no room to answer him in a watered down or "child-appropriate" way. He demands that you give it to him straight. This trait reaches over into his personality. He will be blunt and even rude to others, but often delivers it with a smile and energy that is hard to resist.

I still don't understand the mystery that is Dash. I've been able to get little glimpses of who he is. When I've prayed over his needs and anguished over his unique struggles, the Lord has blessed me with specific instructions. I'm not perfect or even great at following His counsel, but I am still trying. It's worth everything I can do to provide Dash with the help and support he needs. I'm so thankful that Michael and I have been given stewardship over five precious spirits from God. We've discovered that He is anxious and willing to give us the keys that will bless each child. Such has been the case with our oldest son. All we have to do is "ask, and it shall be given." I just hope that above all, I can teach him that this is the key to all of life's great questions. When we figure out what God wants us to do, we just need to do it. As Sheri Dew has said: "Though we must each walk through life on our own, we don't have to do it alone."