Blogging about life in Minnesota, raising our six kids with Down syndrome while battling Breast Cancer.

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor in the morning the devil says, "Oh shit! She's up!"

Saturday, August 13, 2011

A boy

Once upon a time, On August 13th, 2000, in the bustling town of Kragujevac, Serbia, a baby was born. A boy. His parents and older brother were very excited! They named him Djordje. The family loved that boy so much! When the doctor came into the room and said, "This baby has Down syndrome." and walked away, the family was left confused...and devestated.

Today I remember Axel's birth family. As we celebrate Axel's birth 11 years ago, they are also mourning the loss of Djordje. There is much to his story I will never be able to tell here, but I do know this: Axel's birth family loved him enough to know there was a better life for him on the other side of the world.

In May when I met Axel's birth family, I held the woman with whom I share a child. We will forever be connected through Axel Djordje.

Since then, through pictures, emails and blog posts,  they have watched him grow and change. They watched him get on the bus for his first ever day of school. They've watched through tears as he went through spinal fusion and the agony of living in a halo. They cried tears of joy right along with all of you when Axel got his halo off.

Today, as we celebrate this beautiful boy, we also remember his other family. His first family who loved him so much they let him go.

Axel Djordje is a boy twice blessed, with two families who love him very much. Today, his 11th birthday, we sit on opposite sides of the world celebrating his birth.

8 comments:

BUCA said...

Srećan rodjendan!Djole sine ljube te tvoji tata,mama i brat i želimo ti sreću.Tvojoj predivnoj porodici Bog neka podari svu radost sveta.U vidu velikog mosta spojio si dve strane sveta i dve porodice koje te nose u srcu.Budi srećan sine i mi smo srećni kada je tebi dobro.Neka Vas sve dragi Bog čuva ljubi Vas porodica Stevanović.

Stephanie @ Ralphcrew said...

oh goodness! what a blessing for them to know that he is well loved. happy birthday Axel!

Mel said...

Ohhhhh why didn't I know that he shared his day with my Olivia?? HAPPY BIRTHDAY Axel!!! Hugs!!

AZ Chapman said...

i am glad u are still in touch with Axel's birth family

Happy 11th b day big guy

blcmec1 said...

Leah - Please give Axel a big birthday hug from me!! - Maureen

Tamara said...

Happy belated birthday to Axel! So happy he was halo-free for the event!

Marianne said...

Happy birthday Axel! He seriously cannot get any cuter! What a blessing that you know his birth parents. What a gift to all of you!

Karien Prinlsoo said...

Happy birthday Axel. (Sorry I'm late) It is so encouraging to see how you develop and reach (and show) all that potential that is in you. May God bless you and keep you and may He shine His light upon you. May the favor of God be upon you.