365

365 days ago our world was rocked yet again. 365 days ago our sweet third son's heart was almost on its last beat. he was hooked up to more tubes, wires, monitors, medicines than i could count. 365 days ago doctors were talking to us very seriously but we could barely focus on what they were saying. 365 days ago our faith, which was just starting to be restored, was wiped away again with feelings of anger, disbelief and fear. 365 days ago our little boy was being wheeled into an operating room and we had to trust his life with complete strangers. we were told to expect a very long recovery, weeks in the hospital, months at home. we were told to expect weeks of monitors doing the beating for his weak heart and lungs. we were told not to expect much, for there had been a lot of damage done to his heart, but to hope for the best. 365 days ago our little b, little bears, sweet brooks showed everyone just what a rockstar he truly is. it only took him minutes to show that his heart would beat on its own, thank you very much, no machines for this kid. it only took 8 days for him to be released from the hospital with nothing short of amazement from his doctor. and even with a small set back of a collapsed lung, which had nothing to do with his heart, he was back in business. it only took him months, when they said years, to get back to an almost normal functioning heart.

so here's to the 364 of the most amazing days we've seen, because since the day of his surgery, one of the worst of our lives, he has done nothing but amaze us all. here's to you,
brooks phillips hess! we love you!!

the nights that brooks spent in the CICU i would read Oh, the Places You'll Go to him. it wasn't easy, i cried through the whole thing but i knew that the book was appropriate for him. here's the ending which was always my favorite...

So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!