DUKE...

Jo is doing great, we still haven't seen his beautiful eyes but we are keeping hope.  He is crying more, which under normal circumstances would might not be good news, but it does give us peace when our 13 year old cries, its NORMAL.  Jo is taking tylenol and ibuprofen for pain, and other than his G tube, he has nothing poking him, or providing him with any additional support.  One miracle at a time.

Today was a busy morning for the family running here and there and some mundane errands. We had to take the dogs to the vet to update their vaccinations for a weekend / holiday stay at the kennel.  I arrived just as the vet opened to find a few other folks already in the waiting room.  As I spoke with the friendly rep at the desk a young woman entered to my left.  At first I didn't notice her than I heard a sound that has become all to common the past month, the sound of weeping.  When I turned to see her I almost didn't notice the huge great dane leaned close to her body.  He was a beautiful grey color with old man whites all through his muzzle and snout.  She mumbled something to the rep next to me and I immediately felt my heart drop, this would be Duke's last day with her.  For the dog owners out there, I need not explain how painful this experience can be.  My heart wept for the young woman, she was really struggling.  

One of my favorite quotes is "be the person your dog thinks you are".  That is my Jo, and all my children for that matter.  Playful, loyal, sheepish when they mess up, unconditionally loving, innocent, and never acting with malice.  Full of God's grace.  As tears swelled in my eyes over Duke I realized that everyone's struggle is different, and our mission is to show that anything can be done through faith.   Duke was on his way to a better place, and while it hurt to let him go, this woman showed such great courage in letting him rest.  Jo rests in his bed, in some minor pain, healing, waging a battle in his brain to open his eyes and regain his strength.  Our courage as parents comes from our belief that he will come back to us whole.  That he will live as a testimony to God's love.  It can't be rushed, and as bad as we want him hear now, we must have faith in God' plan.

Side note:
Jo introduced us to his favorite artist John Bellion a few months ago.  Like most parents I heard a bunch of pots and pans, the occasional expletive, and too much base...I am officially an old man. Off course now I've just about memorized every word of this album, and wouldn't you know it, he talks about God!  Amazingly fitting lyrics:

 John Bellion :  
Album/ The Human condition 2016

Maybe IDK
Chorus:
Although I guess if I knew tomorrow
I guess I wouldn’t need faith
I guess if I never fell, I guess I wouldn’t need grace
I guess if I knew His plans, I guess He wouldn’t be God

So maybe I don’t know, maybe I don’t know
Maybe I don’t know, maybe I don’t know
But maybe that’s okay
Maybe that’s okay, maybe that’s okay
Maybe I don’t know, maybe I don’t know
But maybe that’s okay

​Hand of God
I am just a man, I am just a man
Who lusts, gives, tries 
Sometimes I lose my way

[Chorus - Jon Bellion:]
Tears at a funeral, tears at a funeral, I might break
Angry at all the things, angry at all the things I can't change
When you're lost in the universe, lost in the universe
Don't lose faith
My mother says, "Your whole life's in the hand of God"

So I  leave you with this "be the person your dog thinks you are".  I picked up the tab for Duke, he is resting now, I pray his owner rests as well, knowing he is running through heaven!

Jojobinks, mommy and daddy are here.  We miss you so much.  Today we helped you lift your right eyelid and for the first time you looked into our eyes!  You even started a smile!  We see you fighting, we are here!  Stay with God Jo, he will send you back to us soon!  There are thousands of angels praying for our family, we know you can feel it!  We love you to the moon and back sweet angel, you've got this!