Monday, July 13, 2009

29. One Year

In one minute, Ozzie officially turns one. I planned on writing a nice long post to reflect upon on the past year. I should have started writing it hours ago. But instead, I started clicking on all of my friends' blogs, reading their updates, commenting on their posts...

Maybe that's what I should reflect on.

I started this journey exactly one year ago, heartbroken and terrified and exhausted and confused and overwhelmed. And somewhat alone. You know that record-scratch scene, the staple of cheesy movies, where the guy walks into the biker bar and everything freezes? Well, one year ago today, that's what happened to me. Life froze. But damn if it didn't thaw.

Now, one year later, I'm involved in a wonderful community of people who are just like me. I haven't met any of them in person, but in a strange way, I know them. I know them very well. And they know me, like no one else can. I'm living a life different from the one I dreamed, but it's not a bad life.

I still don't know what my future holds, but when Ozzie smiles, I know it can't be all bad.

15 comments:

The Hapa Girl said...

Happy Blogging Birthday!

Monica Crumley said...

Happy Birthday to your little guy! So glad to "know" you :-)

Laurie said...

Happy First Birthday, Ozzie!!

I totally agree with what you're saying. I honestly do not know what I would do, and especially what I would have done in the very beginning, without all of you!

Christine said...

Happy Birthday Ozzie, may god bless your next year comming!!
I like reading in your blog!
My son Joshua turned 1 year in June. We are liveing in Germany, but my best friend lives in Garner. So I hope at our next visit I have a chance to join a meeting in Raleigh and maybe get to meet your nice family in person. I would like to learn about the difference of living in Germany or US with a child with ds.
I hope I didn´t make to many mistakes ;-)
Have a nice day
Christine

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to my precious grandson. This last year has changed our family for the better. I think we are closer and more open with one another. We are all so blessed to have Ozzie in our lives. All those cliches that people say, I have heard them all, but there is one that I know to be true, the one that says God chooses special parents for children like Ozzie. You and Dina are very special, and we are so proud of you. Dad and I know that we never have to worry about Ozzie, he is in the very best home that anyone could provide.

The Hapa Girl said...

ummm...Happy Birthday...sorry, I don't know why I added the blogging in there!

Lisa said...

Ahhh, great post Dan! I know just what you mean . . . I look back on my early, early blog posts, from immediately after Finn was born, when he was in the NICU, when we got his diagnosis . . . and I was so filled with grief and fear. Life has changed so much since then . . . but really not. And I never dreamed back then, when I started pouring all my grief and fear out into my blog that I would become a part of such a wonderful community - hell, I didn't even know the community existed! Anyway, so glad to have you as part of our little community.

Happiest of Birthdays, little Ozzie!

Aunt Vivi said...

I just wanted to wish Ozzie the Happiest of Birthdays, and to you, Wizard, for making all of this greatness happen for this wonderful community. You have really come a long way, from what I've read. Congratulations!

The Sanchez Family said...

Happy Birthday to little Ozzie and happy birthday to a new you!

Cammie Howard said...

What a beautiful post!! Love the honesty and authenticity!! Happy Birthday Ozzie!

Lisa said...

Happy, happy birthday to the little guy, and happy anniversary for the day your family changed in amazing ways!

datri said...

Happy Birthday! Hope you had a wonderful day!

Lisa said...

We're coming up on a birthday at our house, too, and I can tell you that each new year brings even more clarity. I guess it is just Life--and a really neat little person--unfolding.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, sweet Ozzie~!!

Michelle said...

Happy belated 1st birthday!!

He almost shared a birthday with Kayla - hers was the 15th :)

Sharon said...

Happy (belated) Birthday Ozzie!