Happy Birthday, James

The other day I was heading to the bathroom and I passed, in the hallway, the place where I had just finally cleared the mountain of laundry that had blocked it for over a week. There sat yet another blanket and pair of wet pajamas...and it made me think:

~Because we have James, there seems to always be another pile of laundry to be done.
~Because we have James, homework time takes on a whole new meaning.
~Because we have James, I get calls from the school often to tell me that his pump isn't working.
~Because we have James, Johannah has someone to complain about in the bedroom.
~Because we have James, we all - at times - have a "special" aroma.
~Because we have James, we spend holidays in the hospital and endless nights at other people's houses.
~Because we have James, we know more about the anatomy of the brain than most.
~And because we have James, we have bills coming out the "wazoo."

BUT....then I thought.....

~Because we have James, Jon has someone to go candy selling with (that's significant if you know my Jon).
~Because we have James, we got to meet Dr. Mary, Kate Onkka, Peggy, Loice, the Smiths, and the many others that have become our friends.
~Because we have James, we have learned to be patient with those that aren't the same as us.
~Because we have James, we spend holidays giving gifts to those who spend holidays in the hospital.
~Because we have James, we have the opportunity to help others that are heading down "our road."
~Because we have James, we have seen God work in ways that we never could have otherwise.
~And because we have James, best of all, Mom still gets lots of hugs and kisses.

So, when I see that blanket in the hallway, answer that call from the teacher, stay up until midnight so he can rewrite his spelling for the fourth time, smell that "aroma," or put a few more bills on the piles in the office - I say,

"Thank you, Lord.....that we still have James."

Happy 10th Birthday, Buddy