A couple of years ago, Jen and I were engaged at the time, my mom gave me a gift. It was a silver pendant to wear around my neck that was engraved with a quote by Albert Einstein. It read, "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." Dylan Leonard McGraw, quite simply, is a miracle.
Jen & I knew early on in the pregnancy that Dylan would be facing numerous challenges and some of our biggest fears were the unknowns, the things the doctors did not have answers for. What we didn't know, and what we are so grateful for now, are the things Dylan would teach us about himself, each other, and ourselves. Dylan showed us life and love in the absolute purest form. He knew no race, religion or of any matters/beliefs the rest of us allow to get in the way. He is the definition of forgiving and patient. Throughout countless blood draws, assessments, diagnoses, and eight surgical procedures, his little body and enormous spirit forgave, and loved- unconditionally. If he was startled or scared he'd begin to cry for a moment just to let you know, and an instant later, would stop and forgive. He was a very expressive baby, always making faces and flashing his eyebrows up and down when he was spoken to, especially when being spoken to by a lady. :) One might say, he was a flirtatious baby. Flirtations aside, there was of course only one lady for Dylan. Mom. Their mutual expressions of love and adoration are a miracle that I am forever grateful to be a witness of. For over two months, everyday for anywhere from 8-12 hrs a day, mom was right by Dylan's side. She was more than just his mother, she was his advocate and his voice. Jennifer and I often refer to ourselves together as a "team". Jennifer & Dylan are the greatest team I've ever seen.
Ahead there will be good days and bad days, joyful reminiscing as well as sadness. Constant throughout this will be Dylan's inspiration. As Dylan's father, going forward, I aspire to be more like him. To be more loving, forgiving, and understanding. I pray that others may be inspired by my son and do the same in their own lives; having a lasting, positive effect on their own family and friends.
It would be a mistake not to acknowledge and thank the nursing staff and doctors that participated in Dylan's care at Children's hospital. They allowed and encouraged Jennifer & myself to be active parents in a setting that is not ideal. We held Dylan and sang to him, gave him baths and washed his hair, tickled his feet and kissed him all over. Dylan knew he was loved. He was loved by hospital staff that were touched and inspired much like his family was. Because of Dylan, we have developed friendships with people we pray last a lifetime.
We were blessed with being able to bring Dylan home. It was for a short time, but it left us with memories that will last forever. He was greeted by grandparents, his aunt and uncle, Great-Grandparents and his pets, Vedder and Tigger. He went outside and felt the sun on his face. He felt the cool breeze and had his hand waved through blades of grass. He spent time in his room and laid down in his crib, and laid down with mom and dad in their bed. It was a beautiful homecoming.
Jen and I believe that, along with loved ones we have lost, we will see Dylan again. We told him this and assured him mom & dad would be ok. We thanked him for being our son and for teaching us so much. We told him that until we saw him again, we would think of him and look forward to that day, every day for the rest of our lives.
We know a lot of you have been at a loss for words, unsure of what to say and not knowing what to do. That's ok, we know how that feels. We greatly appreciate all of the prayers, thoughts, love and support we have been given. The only thing we could ask for is that when you think of Dylan, you remember the positives of his story, knowing he was loved and happy. Knowing he was an inspiration and a teacher to his family and that he brought them all closer and showed them a love they hadn't known existed.
Because of Dylan, I am forever a proud father. I am proud of my wife, our parents & grandparents, his Uncle Nick and Aunt Lizzie.
He is forever our sweet boy;
Our miracle.
Jen & I knew early on in the pregnancy that Dylan would be facing numerous challenges and some of our biggest fears were the unknowns, the things the doctors did not have answers for. What we didn't know, and what we are so grateful for now, are the things Dylan would teach us about himself, each other, and ourselves. Dylan showed us life and love in the absolute purest form. He knew no race, religion or of any matters/beliefs the rest of us allow to get in the way. He is the definition of forgiving and patient. Throughout countless blood draws, assessments, diagnoses, and eight surgical procedures, his little body and enormous spirit forgave, and loved- unconditionally. If he was startled or scared he'd begin to cry for a moment just to let you know, and an instant later, would stop and forgive. He was a very expressive baby, always making faces and flashing his eyebrows up and down when he was spoken to, especially when being spoken to by a lady. :) One might say, he was a flirtatious baby. Flirtations aside, there was of course only one lady for Dylan. Mom. Their mutual expressions of love and adoration are a miracle that I am forever grateful to be a witness of. For over two months, everyday for anywhere from 8-12 hrs a day, mom was right by Dylan's side. She was more than just his mother, she was his advocate and his voice. Jennifer and I often refer to ourselves together as a "team". Jennifer & Dylan are the greatest team I've ever seen.
Ahead there will be good days and bad days, joyful reminiscing as well as sadness. Constant throughout this will be Dylan's inspiration. As Dylan's father, going forward, I aspire to be more like him. To be more loving, forgiving, and understanding. I pray that others may be inspired by my son and do the same in their own lives; having a lasting, positive effect on their own family and friends.
It would be a mistake not to acknowledge and thank the nursing staff and doctors that participated in Dylan's care at Children's hospital. They allowed and encouraged Jennifer & myself to be active parents in a setting that is not ideal. We held Dylan and sang to him, gave him baths and washed his hair, tickled his feet and kissed him all over. Dylan knew he was loved. He was loved by hospital staff that were touched and inspired much like his family was. Because of Dylan, we have developed friendships with people we pray last a lifetime.
We were blessed with being able to bring Dylan home. It was for a short time, but it left us with memories that will last forever. He was greeted by grandparents, his aunt and uncle, Great-Grandparents and his pets, Vedder and Tigger. He went outside and felt the sun on his face. He felt the cool breeze and had his hand waved through blades of grass. He spent time in his room and laid down in his crib, and laid down with mom and dad in their bed. It was a beautiful homecoming.
Jen and I believe that, along with loved ones we have lost, we will see Dylan again. We told him this and assured him mom & dad would be ok. We thanked him for being our son and for teaching us so much. We told him that until we saw him again, we would think of him and look forward to that day, every day for the rest of our lives.
We know a lot of you have been at a loss for words, unsure of what to say and not knowing what to do. That's ok, we know how that feels. We greatly appreciate all of the prayers, thoughts, love and support we have been given. The only thing we could ask for is that when you think of Dylan, you remember the positives of his story, knowing he was loved and happy. Knowing he was an inspiration and a teacher to his family and that he brought them all closer and showed them a love they hadn't known existed.
Because of Dylan, I am forever a proud father. I am proud of my wife, our parents & grandparents, his Uncle Nick and Aunt Lizzie.
He is forever our sweet boy;
Our miracle.