I'm going to tell you guys a story. A story about a special little man, and what he did for my wife and I.
My son, Asher David Jaden Seales was born on January 8, 2011. We knew when he got here we were going to have a hard fight-we were initially told he had no brain. He had such severe congenital hydrocephalus that it truly showed no gray matter. Shunting at 8 days old revealed that he had roughly half a brain, though his first surgery was at three days old for a dual incarcerated inguinal hernia.
We spent two and a half months in the NICU with him before we could take him home. He went home on permanent oxygen from bronchopulmonary dysplasia, but he was ours. However, he bounced in and out a lot. He had a lot more problems than we originally thought. He had inherited his mother's clotting factor disorders (thankfully inactive) and my connective tissue disorder (of which there is no inactive version.) His spine started developing a major bend at about 9 months old. Little buddy had a hunchback in no time, but that didn't slow him down. Being paralyzed form the waist down did, though. He really couldn't move his arms very well, either. Moving just wasn't his forte. One of my favorite memories was the day he learned he could wiggle.
*wiggle* hmmm.... *wiggle wiggle* I can wiggle? *wiggle* I CAN WIGGLE!!!!! *wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle*
His face lit up with the most beautiful expression that day. He was so happy to be able to squirm just a bit. Mostly he was content to sit with Mom or Dad and hold his best friend, Mr Bumpy. Mt Bumpy even went to surgery with him. He'd come out in a ziploc bag, still tucked under my boy's arm.
And surgeries we had. We got into the fifties before I lost count. But he soldiered along. Toughest little thing I've ever seen. I thought I was tough, lasting like I have against this disease. He showed me what true strength was about. But unfortunately, his little body was running out.
On November 10th, 2012 Asher stopped breathing for an hour and a half. Only a God-given miracle brought him back to us. After close to a month, he regained consciousness. He was blind, and almost totally paralyzed, but he was still our little boy. On Christmas, he developed severe pneumonia. They tried everything-drugs of last resort, high ventilator settings, and finally epinephrine drips, but he was going. His hernia repairs never worked, because of my connective tissue disorder I passed on, and he developed a bowel obstruction. By the time we found it it was too late, and it had swelled immensely, crushing his heart and lungs. Mom and I held him at the end and sang him to sleep, and he passed in our arms on January 7th, 2013. He would have been two the next day.
I got an assurance that few people ever get, and it's the only reason I keep living anymore. Just before the end, my little boy's face lit up with the same smile he would give Mr. Bumpy after a wash or if one of us had been gone. The same smile he had when he learned he could wiggle. His face lit up because I believe he saw Jesus coming to take him home personally. He was blind, he couldn't see us. He could feel Mr. Bumpy, but he had had him the whole time.
I'm bawling my eyes out as I write this, but his story must needs be told. Children's of Birmingham did absolutely everything humanly possible for that little boy, and in the end they even paid his funeral costs.
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He was the happiest thing in the world. I think he knew he was on borrowed time somehow.
Children's gave us nearly two years with him. I build things now to sell so I can donate more to them in his name. If you ever want a reason to donate, help me make sure no other parents have to go through what we did. Help St. Jude's/Children's to let other parents take their child home in a car seat instead of a coffin. My wording may be harsh, but that is what we did for my son's second birthday. I don't think I'll ever get over that.
The ground was unworthy of his feet, so he never walked. Our ears weren't worthy of his voice, so he never spoke. And in the end we were so unworthy of his presence that he left us, to receive healing that this life could not give. But of all the things that we do not deserve, he gave freely of that we deserve the least-love. And now I must attempt to carry on in his name and in his stead, loving all that I come across. May his death never be in vain.
:pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray:
Bisch
Thank you for sharing your story. You are truly a good man.
:pray:
Thank you for the story.
God bless your family.
Tears are rolling down my face right along with you. Asher is indeed all the reason any of us need to do absolutely everything we can with the St. Jude auction.
Like I do most years, I had started thinking I had gone over my budget again with my bidding. After reading your heartfelt story I realize that I haven't done nearly enough.
Thank you for the courage it took to share your story, and for giving all of us the incentive we need to dig a little deeper. :pray: :pray:
God bless you and yours. Your little man is better off than he ever had the chance to be here, and i am sure he knows how you loved him.
Through my own tears I want to thank you for caring for him the way you did and still do--a beautiful little boy! Your story touches something deep inside of me. I guess what I am reminded of is that our heavenly Father cares for us as you cared for your little man. Rest in His love......Dave
tears streaming here, May God bless you
Perspective, Thank You for bringing it to me today and sharing your story. There can't be a dry eye after reading your story.
May God bless your family.
QuoteOriginally posted by Marc B.:
Perspective, Thank You for bringing it to me today and sharing your story. There can't be a dry eye after reading your story.
May God bless your family.
X2!!!!!
Thank you for sharing your story halfseminole - brings it all into perspective.
Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures of your precious child and his story. Your strength through this as a man and a father is inspirational. Prayers sent for you and your family. God bless.
-Brian
:archer:
Thank you for sharing your story.Not only is your story a true eye opening of what and why we do the St. Judes every year. But it's also a reminder that life is waaaay to short. I think I'll give my kids and wife an extra hug tonight. Thank you and God bless you!
Thank you for sharing your and Asher's story .... certainly puts things in perspective.
Bless you and your family
Wow powerful stuff. Thank you for sharing and God Bless!
Tears rolling down my face, sitting at work, in uniform. I almost hope someone sees me so I can pass on your story.
I like your faith. We also lost a little one and believe we will see her again in heaven.
Tom
We as well lost a child. Gotta get myself together here after reading this and try to get some work done. Have faith in my Lord I will see her one day !!!
Lanier
words cannot descried how your story touched me. God Bless You and your Wife.
Only to someone with your's and your wife's strengths, would He give such a precious child to. You have been truly blessed to be Asher's parents. Some folks live to be a hundred years old and will never make the impact your Asher did and does in just 2 years.
May you both find comfort in these facts, and in the everlasting arms of the Father who is all knowing.
QuoteOriginally posted by Marc B.:
Perspective, Thank You for bringing it to me today and sharing your story. There can't be a dry eye after reading your story.
May God bless your family.
X3 I can't say it any better.
Up
Thank you for sharing your story, as I read it this morning tears flowed from my eyes, may God bless you and your family! :pray:
I am grateful for the incredible spiritual insight you were given, the blessing you chose to acknowledge, the important story you were willing to share, and the love that is so evident in your family.
Blessings to you.
Can't hardly see to type.
Thanks to Asher for gracing us all!
.....speechless....
I'm sorry..
..Thank you..
I can't even see the page through my tears. God Bless Asher!
I was going to ask God to bless you, but by the time I finished reading your story, I realized that he already had!
My mind just drifted back to Terry's question on whether this effort "had run its course"? Well I think we just got our answer guys!!!!
QuoteOriginally posted by awbowman:
I was going to ask God to bless you, but by the time I finished reading your story, I realized that he already had!
My mind just drifted back to Terry's question on whether this effort "had run its course"? Well I think we just got our answer guys!!!!
Amen and Amen!
QuoteOriginally posted by John146:
QuoteOriginally posted by awbowman:
I was going to ask God to bless you, but by the time I finished reading your story, I realized that he already had!
My mind just drifted back to Terry's question on whether this effort "had run its course"? Well I think we just got our answer guys!!!!
Amen and Amen! [/b]
Let the Amens continue.
Just sent you a PM Edward.
Thank you for sharing your boy with us...such love in those words. Emotional as I am, I wanted my wife and children to read this, as a mother and fathers love like yours knows no bounds. We all were moved so much. God bless you and your family :campfire:
Thank you for sharing. God Bless you and yours. :pray:
Thank you and God bless!
Luke 18:16
But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Nothing removes the pain of his absence, but being able to see his story touch others is the best solace I can find. Items this year in his name totaled $335 I believe. Next year I alone expect to put a LOT more stuff on there for him. It's something to fill all the time disability leaves me.
Thanks so much for sharing and celebrating Asher's life with us. A true blessing!
God bless you and yours.........
This is Shag08's wife. I was so touched by this story... God blessed you with his short life and thank you for blessing us with his story. I was a little late for the benefit this year as I am just starting my taxidermy business but next year I will donate items. I look at our daughter running around like crazy and think how blessed we are. People who have children do not realize how lucky they have it. Thank you for reminding us. I was born with a cleft pallet and my family was helped by the Ronald McDonald house. Its hospitals and organizations like this that are so important. People get busy in life and think I will donate to that someday but when we think "Ill do that tomorrow" we need to look in our childs eyes and think what would I do. NO ONE should have to worry about where the money is coming from when they have a sick child. Our children are the only innocent and pure thing about this world and we can never take advantage of that!
Rachel
Burchett's Untamed Art
Please email me the info and date on the next benefit so I can make donations. LadyTurkeyHunter@gmail.com