June 8, 2009

Jacob Patrick Sizemore Day

June 9 is Jacob Patrick Sizemore Day.

Maybe you didn't have that date on your calendar, but it is a date that will always be a day of celebration for me. For Dave. Someday for Jacob. June 9.

One year ago today, we had spent the night at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC. We woke up early in Jacob's room, having slept very little all night, knowing that in the morning, he would undergo surgery. For any parent that has had to put their child's life in the hands of a surgeon, you will know what we felt. The helplessness, the worry, the trust, the heartwrenching pain of the unknown. The four hours in the waiting room that morning were almost unbearable. I couldn't stop shaking, couldn't stop worrying. Couldn't stop praying.

The minutes after the nurses wheeled him out of recovery will be forever etched in my memory. My baby, scared and reaching out to me. There is barely a day that goes by that I don't think of that moment. It truly reminds me of how precious are babies are, no matter how old. The days that followed were hard, made bearable by the love and support of our friends and family.

So, one year to the day the tumor was removed, we have declared June 9, as Jacob Patrick Sizemore Day. He can pick out dinner, he can control the remote, he can pick the nightly board game. And in true Jacob fashion, he has reminded us that he should be allowed to stay up late on Jacob Patrick Sizemore Day Eve.

Man, I love that kid!

(top photo at Potomac Hospital before we knew about tumor, but after seizure.)

(bottom photo is during recovery, looking as one of the many presents from friends and family.)

10 comments:

Christy said...

Congrats on ONE YEAR!!! Please give Jacob a big hug from us. :D

Unknown said...

What an amazing story!! I agree, Jacob should def. get to stay up late on Jacob Patrick Sizemore Day!!!!! Congrats to your beautiful family!!

Becky said...

What a great thing to do to commemorate that day and what a fighter he is...yeah he should stay up very late.

Patti H said...

Wow how scary one year ago today! Love that you celebrate his day!!

Karen said...

i can't believe that was a year ago. What a trooper Jacob is!!! I say he should get whatever he wants today. :)

Leslie Herbert said...

I can't beleive it's been a year either Jen! Jacob is such a neat and great kid! I love that you made it Jacobs day!

Cheri Pryor said...

*sniff* I'm gonna go hug my kids. Sooo glad your son is healthy today!

Leslie said...

that is truely a day to celebrate!

Korie B. said...

Awwwww... now I'm all weepy.

Has it really been a year?

What a fantastic tradition! I love it!!

April said...

i got chills reading that post. so glad that everythign has worked out and that he's here and well. i'm so glad you get to celebrate that day with him. how sweet!