UPDATE (2/22/13)
-mixed messages-
-proper perspective-
As many of you know, we were recently updated that we should expect to be here for at least another month. So what seemed like a difficult road of 1 operation and being admitted for 6 weeks has become 8 operations and nearly 2 months thus far with another month to go. Now, I don’t say that with any animosity (believe-it-or-not), but rather to widen the front door to this journey of Beckett Jude Rupp. Our Cardiologist spoke with Leah today and said, ‘No, No, No….you could possibly be out of here as quick as a few weeks or so’. Additionally, the surgeon popped his head in our room again (we haven’t seen him in weeks), and said thy he’s really looking good. He was actually surprised when we told him that we were told we’d be here for another month. The one thing we have learned over the past few months is the concept of ‘I’ll believe it when I see it’. That may sound a little coarse, but rather we are simply pursuing a proper perspective to help manage probable disappointment. We really do live in the moment, we try not to get ahead of ourselves, and as we were taught at an early age: ‘do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’ (Matthew 6:34)
We are so thankful for the admirable span of ‘good days’, and certainly long for many more. Beckett is doing well:
he is on a continual wean of his VapoTherm (he’s down to 2 liters…we want 1, or less…jsyk)
they’ve weaned his methadone again, and all the Docs and Nurses say that he really is looking good.
Sure, we want him home. Sure, we want him completely healthy. Sure, I desire a sense of ‘normalcy’. But really, what more do I have to be thankful for? God has been so good to us:
I held my son today.
I kissed my wife.
Our current frustrations are on ‘when can we take him home, a month, a few weeks?’. We weren’t even having these conversations a month ago.
If we live a life longing for what’s ahead and not genuinely enjoying our current blessings and that which we need to be thankful for….we will lead a miserable life.
We’ve had a great evening this evening! We were FaceTimed into Beckett’s first benefit concert all the way up in Gaylord, MI. It was so great! They had something like 140 people show up to a dinner they did and then they had a service afterwards which consisted of great music and even an opportunity to ‘show him off’. I’m a proud papa, and he’s an amazing son! I should just provide my FaceTime info, set up and google calendar/schedule and show him off to anyone interested! 😉
Sooooooo, with all thy being said…we had a great day, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming benefits both tomorrow and Sunday. I am currently planning on being at both, BUUUT, even though I usually don’t mind speaking in front of people, just the thought of it right now makes me begin to tear up. I will be more than willing to ‘meet-n-greet’ at each of these events, but I’m confident it will be 48 hours of tears (sorry in advance….I’ll try to be strong). Speaking of tears, the last time I cried in front of a large group of people (and it kind of caught me off guard) was a ‘best man speech’ at my friend, Seth Abram’s wedding. What a dear friend. I’m actually tearing up now as I write about him. He is an amazing gift straight from God to all he meets. He was planning on playing at the concert tomorrow night, but I have just been informed that he in the hospital right now. I guess his small intestine has twisted. I’m not certain how critical this is, but I obviously know that isn’t how ‘it’s suppose to be’. Please keep him, his wife and family in your prayers. Though I would have loved to have him at the benefit tomorrow, I much rather him get healthy (obviously).
Anyways, I don’t mean to end this update on a somber note. But just remember, count your blessings, live in the moment, kiss your kids, love your spouses, put down your phones, stop reading this post ;-), and be thankful for all that we should be thankful for.
Blessings to you all….I look forward to seeing (and crying in front of) you soon!
-mixed messages-
-proper perspective-
As many of you know, we were recently updated that we should expect to be here for at least another month. So what seemed like a difficult road of 1 operation and being admitted for 6 weeks has become 8 operations and nearly 2 months thus far with another month to go. Now, I don’t say that with any animosity (believe-it-or-not), but rather to widen the front door to this journey of Beckett Jude Rupp. Our Cardiologist spoke with Leah today and said, ‘No, No, No….you could possibly be out of here as quick as a few weeks or so’. Additionally, the surgeon popped his head in our room again (we haven’t seen him in weeks), and said thy he’s really looking good. He was actually surprised when we told him that we were told we’d be here for another month. The one thing we have learned over the past few months is the concept of ‘I’ll believe it when I see it’. That may sound a little coarse, but rather we are simply pursuing a proper perspective to help manage probable disappointment. We really do live in the moment, we try not to get ahead of ourselves, and as we were taught at an early age: ‘do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’ (Matthew 6:34)
We are so thankful for the admirable span of ‘good days’, and certainly long for many more. Beckett is doing well:
he is on a continual wean of his VapoTherm (he’s down to 2 liters…we want 1, or less…jsyk)
they’ve weaned his methadone again, and all the Docs and Nurses say that he really is looking good.
Sure, we want him home. Sure, we want him completely healthy. Sure, I desire a sense of ‘normalcy’. But really, what more do I have to be thankful for? God has been so good to us:
I held my son today.
I kissed my wife.
Our current frustrations are on ‘when can we take him home, a month, a few weeks?’. We weren’t even having these conversations a month ago.
If we live a life longing for what’s ahead and not genuinely enjoying our current blessings and that which we need to be thankful for….we will lead a miserable life.
We’ve had a great evening this evening! We were FaceTimed into Beckett’s first benefit concert all the way up in Gaylord, MI. It was so great! They had something like 140 people show up to a dinner they did and then they had a service afterwards which consisted of great music and even an opportunity to ‘show him off’. I’m a proud papa, and he’s an amazing son! I should just provide my FaceTime info, set up and google calendar/schedule and show him off to anyone interested! 😉
Sooooooo, with all thy being said…we had a great day, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming benefits both tomorrow and Sunday. I am currently planning on being at both, BUUUT, even though I usually don’t mind speaking in front of people, just the thought of it right now makes me begin to tear up. I will be more than willing to ‘meet-n-greet’ at each of these events, but I’m confident it will be 48 hours of tears (sorry in advance….I’ll try to be strong). Speaking of tears, the last time I cried in front of a large group of people (and it kind of caught me off guard) was a ‘best man speech’ at my friend, Seth Abram’s wedding. What a dear friend. I’m actually tearing up now as I write about him. He is an amazing gift straight from God to all he meets. He was planning on playing at the concert tomorrow night, but I have just been informed that he in the hospital right now. I guess his small intestine has twisted. I’m not certain how critical this is, but I obviously know that isn’t how ‘it’s suppose to be’. Please keep him, his wife and family in your prayers. Though I would have loved to have him at the benefit tomorrow, I much rather him get healthy (obviously).
Anyways, I don’t mean to end this update on a somber note. But just remember, count your blessings, live in the moment, kiss your kids, love your spouses, put down your phones, stop reading this post ;-), and be thankful for all that we should be thankful for.
Blessings to you all….I look forward to seeing (and crying in front of) you soon!
Heart of Beckett 
AWSOME update Jonathan
I love you!
Following your amazing story (life) and praying for all of you. In addition to all that God is doing in, for, and to you 3, likely only eternity will reveal who around you in that place is being impacted for God’s glory—just to encourage you for the time (God’s time) you are there.
Jack & Sharon D’Arcy
Uncle & Aunt to Josh and Raelyn
I am a friend of Kaitlin and Krissy. Read your
Updates daily and pray for your family.
I want to thank you for helping me. I lost
My husband to cancer 7 months. Was not
Wanting to face today. In fact I am still in
Bed and read your entry. Thank you for reminding me that I have many things to be
thankful for and to live in the moment.
The girls talked about you when they worked
For us so I feel like I know you! You are a special. What a blessing that you are helping
me as I read your blog so I know how to pray
for your family. Continued prayers. You are
an amazing family. Love to you all.
Ginny Rice