Celebrating Seth {on his first birthday}

This post is long overdue, but I did want to share how the Lord filled Seth’s birthday with comfort and hope.

We sent a few gifts for Seth’s stone back with some sweet girls who got to spend a semester with us.  It helped waking up in the morning knowing that something would be delivered to his grave.  I think that was probably one of the hardest parts of the day for me.

Our day started with a friend stopping by at 9:30 and asked us to go outside.  As we stepped outside, tears immediately swelled as we saw our family (the ex-pat community) standing out on the playground each holding a balloon.  We were blessed beyond measure.

They prayed for us, rejoiced in our son, and remembered him.  It truly touched our hearts.  Then we watched our balloons float to heaven.  It was good to be able to hug our family here on his birthday.  What a gift they have been to us this past year.

Calvin got to give away some bubbles and cars to some kids on our playground before we headed out for the day.  We had a few left over so we hid them around our playground for other neighbor kids to find later.  I love seeing the joy it brought Calvin to give things away.  Micah even helped pass out the bubbles.  I’m thankful we were able to do something like that as a family, to remember Seth.

Of course all our neighbors wanted to know what the balloons were about in the morning and was a good chance to explain it was our son’s birthday and our friends wanted to pray for us and remember him, yet another way Seth's life has allowed us to share our hope in Jesus.

Since it was warm enough we decided to take our picnic lunch to the river and Marvin choose the perfect spot. After a little hunting we found a great little off shoot, with the perfect little slide for the raft and all the sand and rocks Micah could ever want.  Marvin and I enjoyed watching the two boys he’s given us play.

 

After the perfect afternoon we headed home, picked up some pizza while two little boys snoozed in the backseat.

We sang Happy Birthday.  And enjoyed cake. 

It was a day we felt the Love of Christ.  Although we missed Seth and wish we could have celebrated by chasing him around, and watching him open presents and enjoy cake for the first time our anticipation of eternity grew on his birthday.  We are thankful for the hope we have in Jesus and that he carries us through days such as these.

**Thank you to all of you who love us through loving on others in Seth’s memory.  Our hearts were deeply touched.  Thank you so much.