SHOUTING from the Mountain Tops!

I've been trying to figure out how to share our GREAT news...  While I have already outed it on facebook, I am just now starting to process this news.  Not since hearing:  "It's a boy" has my heart been so full of pride.  It has been a long road.  My family and I have been through so much....  too many dark days to count.  But TODAY, I can honestly say, it feels like it has all come FULL circle.  I feel like shouting from the mountain tops!  So, please accept this blogpost in my efforts to SHOUT out my JOY!

Steve Daniel.  
We met at only 19...
Sixteen years ago...

 

This was the first picture I had of him...way before the iphone and facebook days.  

I know...What can I say, I always liked a Bad Boy. 

I kept the heart on it.

Owen said it was cute.  I told him that's what girls do sometimes...he smiled.

We were so young and had no idea what the future held for us.
The great pain, the great joy and all the many lessons in between.

We served as a military family...we sacrificed...we survived... despite everything.

Steve was being groomed to go all the way.
  He was promoted before his peers and respected by them too.
He was at the top of his game when he fell from the sky
almost six years ago...  And, then, the darkness fell upon us.

But of course, with his amazing attitude he persevered and literally became the poster boy for Soldier On.

.

  

He tried it all.
  He didn't stay flat on his back. 
He showed the world what he was really made of...

More than anything, he showed our son
that paralysis doesn't mean life is over...

On the other hand, it means
NEW BEGINNINGS...

Paralympic Dreams...(Beijing 2008)
Representing Canada as an athlete as well as a Veteran

Education and Advocacy
Opportunity and Example
(Yes, that is Justin Trudeau... just sayin...)

And finally, that sometimes the only way you could truly
see what you are made of, 
what potential lies within you...
is by being pushed into the skies, with God blowing
her strong winds...  Because she was the only one 
who really knew the plan for you.  
She knew you would forge ahead
and show the world 
your light. 
She knew you would inspire others
by not only getting through the day
with your head up high but you would WOW them 
with your sheer determination and fortitude.  
You would break barriers
and show the world what kind of grace is 
possible when you believe, 
when you work hard and when 
you want to teach our son by example that 
life can still be beautiful 
despite great pain and disappointment. 

You teach me everyday what it`s like
to be a GREAT human being.  
YOU make me believe in the impossible.  
You make me dig deep within when I don`t think I can go on. 
So here I am, shouting it from the mountain tops: 

I am SO PROUD of you Steve Daniel!!! 

For the man you have become, 
for the way you teach and LOVE our son, 
and for the way you have finally learned to love me. 
Medical School awaits you now.  
You have beaten so many odds. 
You will soon add Dr. Daniel 
to your list of accomplishments. 
Shine on Babe...
Shine on...
xox