My 35th Anniversary of a Miracle

In 1981, in the heat of the summer, my beloved and I vowed our love to one another surrounded by several family members and a host of friends. After being married three short months, having never had any medical problems previously, I was pretty certain I had become pregnant. With much excitement, I went to the doctor expecting him to confirm the great news.

Unfortunately, the opposite occurred. The doctor told me I was, in fact, not pregnant and he believed I had a tumor on my pituitary gland causing the absence of my menses. He referred me to M.D. Anderson in Texas.

I became a patient under the care of the third top gynecologist in the world. I did not have a tumor but was a patient there for over nine months, I was told I had a four percent chance of ever conceiving children.

To be quite honest, my life is not what I dreamed of as a teenager. I had no plans of getting married (yet just celebrated our 38th anniversary) and although I loved children, I had no desire to have children either. Its amazing how quickly your mindset changes when you are told by a group of reputable doctors how unlikely it is that you will have children on your own. My thoughts become obsessed with the news I had been handed and I was not happy. I did want children. Please don’t tell me I can’t. I do want children.

Three years later, I defeated the odds (a miracle of God) and was with child. You can imagine my delight. Frankly, it didn’t matter if the baby was a boy or girl, I just wanted to be a Mother. I remember wearing maternity clothes at three months along. I was clueless, obviously.

The pregnancy was textbook except for the part where “lil bit” decided the womb was a pretty nice place. Our bundle of joy arrived three weeks late. and still, at that time, I had to be induced. My son arrived as a half-grown child at 9 lbs., 9 ozs. and was 21 3/4″ long. God is so good. I named him after my father that had passed away when I was 17. Life was good.

Billy was an interesting child to watch. He played independently often but loved playing with his buddies just as much. He was quite good at Legos, drawing, and imitating sounds. He was also a natural actor in our church musicals, usually having the lead role. Not only could he act, but he sang, played piano, guitar and drums. I love that as an adult he has always used his talent, his gift, for the Lord.

Today as he celebrates his 35th birthday, I have to remember the one who made my son’s life even possible. The story began with negative news, a four percent chance of conceiving and a slim chance of ever being called the beloved name, Mama. The story ends with not only having my first child, but that God blessed us with FOUR children! Four percent…four children! You cannot tell me God is not in the details. When man says one thing, wait on the Lord and see what He says.

I love my son, Billy, and I am so unbelievably proud of the son, husband and father he is. He is an exemplary big brother to his siblings and serves the Lord alongside his wife. Happy birthday, son. You truly are a gift from God. We love you so much.

With a smile and a very HAPPY heart,

Elle