Garrett's Turn

Garrett doesn't get nearly as much "press time" here on the blog as Gavin does.  I promise that's not the way I envisioned this blog.  But, life has a way of changing our plans, right?  Please know that Garrett is super special to us, even if he hasn't been discussed with nearly the frequency as Gavin.  Oh, how we love that boy!

Garrett's said some cute stuff lately and I wanted to document it while it was fresh on my mind.  For those of you that don't know Garrett all that well, let me just say he's a thinker.  Always thinking of something.  And he'll come up with the most interesting comments and questions at the most interesting times.  And you will realize just how in depth he's been thinking on something. 

For example, we were at Six Flags the other day, standing in line for a kiddie roller coaster. Garrett's birthday is around the corner, so he may have originally been planning his own birthday celebration in his mind. But that apparently changed to thinking of Jesus and his birthday. Out of nowhere he asked me, "Mommy, where is Jesus going to go for his birthday?" (Surely, He would have a party, right?)  Not sure what to say, I explained that Jesus likes to celebrate in our hearts. That seemed to suffice and he nodded in understanding. I went ahead and added that his Sunday School class would soon have a birthday party for Jesus. His mouth dropped open and his eyes got super big. He was thrilled that Jesus would have a party after all. ;)

A few days later, we were driving to therapy. As we neared the final turn before the clinic, I heard Garrett say to Gavin, "We're getting close to Bethlehem now!" I had no idea why he said that, but thought it was so cute. I figured he was just really in the spirit of Christmas and pretending we were heading to Bethlehem. It was only after therapy that we turned the opposite direction onto a completely different street and saw a large nativity scene in front of a local business. Garrett was so excited as he exclaimed, "Look Gavin! There's Bethlehem!" It made so much more sense after that. I was just shocked that he knew his way around our city so well already and was thinking of how to get to the nativity scene. We rarely even drive that way.

Obviously, I'm biased.  I'm his mother.  But I think this has to be one of the sweetest kids I've ever known.  He has always seemed to have a sweetness about him, even as a baby.  But, I think watching his brother battle cancer did a thing or two to help him as well.  You all know I would have given anything for Gavin to not have cancer.  But since I didn't get the chance to choose, I'm glad I can at least say there are a number of blessings that resulted from an ugly thing like cancer.  Like Garrett's ability to think of others.  I'm pretty sure it was enhanced during those early days. 

Garrett was only 14 months old when Gavin was diagnosed.  I remember when he was probably only 18 months old and Gavin was super sick from his chemotherapy.  Gavin and I were on the living room floor, while he was vomiting once again into a basin.  It was one of those days when we just knew things would get worse and we'd head to the hospital.  Garrett came over to Gavin.  With the sweetest look on his face, full of absolute compassion, he began to pat Gavin on the back.  Even as a toddler, Garrett understood just how awful this whole thing was for his brother.  And he clearly wished Gavin was all better.

I hated that Gavin had to live it.  And I hated that Garrett had to watch it.  There were so many times that Garrett had to wait on something while I tended to the immediate needs of his brother.  He never complained.  And still there are many times that Garrett waits on his brother.  Most commonly, it's waiting at the therapy clinic these days.  And still, he never complains.  Sweet, sweet boy. 


We are blessed beyond measure.  God knew what he was doing when he designed Garrett.  I can't think of a better personality He could have added to our family when He blessed us with this child.  Only God could have known what would be necessary to weather such storms at such an early age. 

I promise I'll try to do better in 2012 at posting more about Garrett.  He's a neat kid.

Much love,