Perspective & Story
As we start this week, I feel compelled to take a moment to share a bit of my ongoing story. I feel it’s beneficial as we partner together for you to know me and my life, just as I hope to know you and yours. There’s no practical way in this format to tell you my story as a whole, so I intend to share vignettes from time to time as the feeling strikes. I hope you’ll do the same either here, facebook, email, text, etc.
My daughter Hannah just turned 8 years old. She has risen above dozens of hospital visits due to seizures, surgeries, and tests. Through it all, she is a bright light in this world – an inspiration in every possible way. Her smile alone can turn the darkest seasons into hopeful dreams. Hannah’s glow provides the light I need to see my way clearly through this often difficult journey. This weekend, after 2 years of being seizure-free and just 2 months after coming off of her seizure medicine, Hannah had a seizure, the likes of which we haven’t seen in almost 5 years. It was a shock, to say the least. The pain and fear on her face would thaw the coldest heart. She was doing so well; 2 weeks into 3rd grade, talking and playing more and more, and overall progressing and living life the way she deserves to. After holding her confused body once again in my arms and then loading her into another ambulance, it would be easy to collapse back into the mentality that we’re back into the old pattern, the painful rhythm of suffering, fear, and fatigue. But, this time, the overwhelming sense is that I need to keep my perspective. I need to keep focussing on what’s important – her (and Jaxon). I would have never guessed that I would go through so much transition at this point in life – changing careers after 17 years in one position at The Next Level Church, finalizing divorce details after 13 years, opening then closing my photography studio downtown, learning how to be a work-from-home, stay-at-home dad while building my own business as a photographer and designer…it’s a lot of change. It would be easy to get self-pitiful, distracted, overwhelmed or just depressed. That’s why perspective is so important. That’s why I need my kids so much. Hannah and Jaxon keep me inspired, focussed and motivated. As I craft a new life, their faces give me strength and resolve. There are still miles to go, but I am so grateful for Amanda, my family and my friends who help me navigate the changing seasons.
Today, Hannah is doing much better, watching “Tangled” and having a healthy breakfast of grapes, peanut butter toast, almonds, and snap peas – some of her favorites. 
Thank you for the perspective, Hannah. I love you with my whole life.
Images from Hannah’s “Tangled” birthday party ~ “Wish Lanterns”
Hannah at Daniels Park
