So I’m sitting here with my Son Eli. As I’m writing this, he is 6 years old. We’ve always been close, but recently he doesn’t like to leave my side. He likes to copy just about everything I do, and he loves to try to make me laugh. Eli has always been wonderful. He has a very calm disposition. Being a father to such a boy is one of the greatest joys of my life.
When Eli was born, it was a very difficult delivery. His shoulders got stuck and his oxygen got cut off. He quickly started to run purple in his face. The mid-wife and I started to panic and we thought we might have to break his big shoulders to get him out. He was almost 10lbs. Gratefully, the mid wife was able to get him out with the help of a few nurses. It was so scary. After he was born he wasn’t responding to stimulation. He seemed to be dead.
But he did start breathing and they were able to stabilize him. I felt the power of God comfort me and tell me that he would be okay. Through the years, he has had a few developmental delays. But through the help of his Mother, priesthood blessings, and helpful tutors and teachers he is on track for his age. In fact as I’m writing this, he is reading almost every word of it. 🙂
I know he has a work to do of his own here on earth that will be a blessing to those around him. He has already been a great example to me. If you have ever been blessed with the opportunity to be a parent, you’ve doubtless felt the great joy that comes from children. I will write about my other two children in different posts, but for today I wanted to express my love and fatherly pride in my boy Eli.
I know that Heavenly Father must be filled with boundless joy because of his Only begotten Jesus Christ. I’m grateful to feel that same love for my children. My hope is that we will all follow the example of our Father in Heaven in our parenting.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
I wish he was my brother 🙂